Help for cold feet

[bowlofpetunias]

I am quite comfortable except for cold feet. My normal core temperature is fairly low around 35.5 C. I comfortably dive with a light exposure suit, my feet are the only part that gets cold. They even get white and numb in patches. I wear lycra socks which helps a bit but does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[miketsp]

You don't say if you dive open or closed heel fins.
Either go with neoprene socks & full-foot fins or do like I do and use open heel fins with boots & socks. I like the sock inside the boot as it cuts down on water circulation and avoids sore points when doing multiple dives over multiple days like on a liveaboard.
I'd also recommend to always take the wet socks off & dry your feet during SI between dives as this cuts down on heat loss.

 

[fisherdvm]

Don't know your age, or if you smoke. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) always has to be kept in mind. Tight constrictive suit or socks can aggravate PAD.

Numb white patches makes me worry of PAD. Stop smoking if you do smoke. Tell us more about your age, your meds, and your medical history, and perhaps we can help you more than saying wear warmer clothing.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Sorry I din't give a lot of info did I? Age 58 never smoked, rarely drink, no history of cardiovascular disease medication for reflux, history of frostbite to feet as a kid in Canada... common.
Open heel V12 fins with boots and lycra socks. Mostly single morning shore dives. Problem occurs mostly after an hour in water temps 15 to 19 C. Others complain about being cold... I am honestly fine except my feet. Average dive time 60 to 90 minutes average depth 14 M. Don't have problem that I remember on multiple boat dives as dive time is shorter. Yes my feet do get cold in non diving situations if I don't wear socks or shoes. Spend most of my time standing at work and YES I should lose some weight lol
I don't want to have to shorten my dives or dive in wetsuits more if I can avoid it. I normally wear a Sharkskin.... (polar fleece/lycra 1.5 to 2 mil equivilent) until water temps get consistently below 19 C I hate the restriction of the wetsuit I always dive with a lycra hood and Probe long sleeve vest in my light gear.

 

[fisherdvm]

As I recall, frostbites will often leave residual damage in the skin and blood vessels - making you more prone to future bouts of frost bites.

In the same way, I am very curious to find out, did the numbness and white patches occurred where you had your frost bite?

If things gets worse, consider diving a drysuit with lots of socks, or with an electric sock. I think TSM reported about using an electric vest on one of her dives before.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

To tell the truth... I figured it might be related to the frostbite. I was just a kid so I don't remember where exactly I was effected. It wasn't severe enough to cause blistering. I think it was actually pretty common when I was a kid. Where I came from if it was warmer than -25 more often than it was colder than -25 we figured it was a warm winter! Kids were outside, skating, sliding etc not inside and inactive..
I do have a couple spots on my fingers where I got frostbite as an adult and those specific spots turn white pretty quickly if I handle frozen meat etc. Those spots don't seem to bother me diving tho. I figure it may be because I am using and flexing my hands more and therefore getting better blood flow.

 

[fisherdvm]

The merck manual said "All degrees of frostbite may produce long-term neuropathic symptoms: sensitivity to cold, excessive sweating, faulty nail growth, and numbness".

 

[bowlofpetunias]

I do wonder what effect this has on DCI risks. I would think (or hope) the cells will be slow ongassing and the slower offgassing because of the cold will not significantly increase risks. A dive Specialist once told me "While I don't advocate diving cold there is more risk if you are too hot at the beginning of the dive and cold at the end of the dive. You are further ahead to have a constant temperature."
I find the wetsuit so hot here in the summer that by the time I get into the water I have a headache from the heat! 25 - 30 C in a wetsuit dehydrates you very quickly!

 

[Wayan]

I am quite comfortable except for cold feet. My normal core temperature is fairly low around 35.5 C. I comfortably dive with a light exposure suit, my feet are the only part that gets cold. They even get white and numb in patches. I wear lycra socks which helps a bit but does anyone have any other suggestions?

When I used to dive in Sydney the ater temps were around 12-18 degrees and I suffered the same sort of problem but not to you degree. I used woolen socks inside by booties - the wool helped to retain a little heat - worked for me not toasty but not cold either

 

[DandyDon]

2 mm socks Cabela's 2mm Neoprene Socks $13 and wonderful for cold feet. Hope your booties are big enough...