very cold hands and feet - ideas?

[String]

Yep i misunderstood that sorry. Id still recommend the dry gloves as the latex seal ones will work even with a thick wet suit.

 

[Rick Inman]

I have similar problems, so when the water is below 40F, I use electric gloves (under dry gloves, of course). These are powered by 8 D cell batteries and are really made for motorcycle riders, but they work great!
Like this:
http://www.electrichandwarmers.com/glove.html

 

[pasley]

Hi- since I started diving I developed Raynaud's Syndrome, which causes the blood vessels in my hands and feet to over-constrict when they get cold = not much blood flow=colder extremities. ...

I hear you. I too have Raynauds. Due to my normally low blood pressure (98-101/60 or lower) I am unable to take any medication for it. Since the drug involved lowers blood pressure, my doctor and I agree that is probably not what I want to take.

I have not found a good solution to the problem. I did notice an improvement when I stopped taking Sudafed which is a vasal constrictor. Just bundle up with the hood, and thick gloves and boots. Sometimes I prewarm with warm water before the dive.

 

[wolfgirl]

Thanks Melvin- I didn't know that about Sudafed... Do you happen to know if all decongestants do that? I take Claritin D for allergies and I wonder if that would make a difference if I stopped it for a few days (since on vacation, depending on where I am, I don't really have allergies much).

 

[wolfgirl]

I have similar problems, so when the water is below 40F, I use electric gloves (under dry gloves, of course). These are powered by 8 D cell batteries and are really made for motorcycle riders, but they work great!
Like this:
http://www.electrichandwarmers.com/glove.html

Rick- this sounds like a great thing for me but I am wondering about things like- how do you keep the battery pack from getting wet- are you wearing it inside a dry suit? And isn't there a risk of electric shock or anything with the batteries being in water?

 

[Scuba_Vixen]

My thought would be to consider some type of vasodialator. But I would consult with a physician familiar with diving medicine as I am not sure what effect that would have on you over all in terms of DCS risk.

With or with out any medication your DCS risk will be different. Your extremeties are not going to on gas as qucikly but then again they won't off gas as quickly either so I suspect some dive profiles could put you at elevated risk.

A dry suit really may be the way to go.

I would suggest you not gloss over this point. Cold is a comparatively temporary inconvenience .... you'll warm back up and the ache goes away ............. BENT, on the other hand will really *ruin* your day.

I'd be wanting to understand any DCS issues before I worry exclusively about how to stay warmer ... it may be that the one effects the other.

You may want to check with DAN,

Darlene

 

[rcohn]

I take Claritin D for allergies and I wonder if that would make a difference if I stopped it for a few days (since on vacation, depending on where I am, I don't really have allergies much).

Claritin D contains the same drug as Sudafed (that's the D part)

Ralph

 

[Rick Inman]

Rick- this sounds like a great thing for me but I am wondering about things like- how do you keep the battery pack from getting wet- are you wearing it inside a dry suit? And isn't there a risk of electric shock or anything with the batteries being in water?

Dry suit - you can't use it with a wet suit. I strap the battery pack to my waist right above where the weight belt rides, inside my dry suit. There is no risk if the pack get wets - it won't shock you or leak acid or anything during the dive. The wires run up my sleeve, through the wrist seals and into my dry gloves. This also means I can use my dry gloves sans the little tubes that allow air to flow into the gloves. The batteries only last 2-3 dives, so it does get expensive, so next winter I'm getting rechargeables.

 

[Windwalker]

Windwalker- you said "Somewhere out there I have seen Wetsuit and drysuit warmers, They are electric I believe." I might be missing something, but how can something electric be used *in water*? Wouldn't that pose a few problems?? Also: "I get more water on my ankles, but my Bare has a seal that stops it there." Sorry, what is your 'Bare'- is that the brand of your wetsuit you have?

My aplogies, let me clarify, Yes. they make Wetsuit warmers. http://patcoinc.com/faq.html. They are sealed and pretty low voltage. Sorta like a HID (High Intensity Discharge) Canister light.
You are correct, Bare is a suit manufacturer (Bare wetsuits) I paid about $160 for my farmer John 7mm top and bottom, Hood, and gloves. Its an Inexpensive, well designed, warm wetsuit.

As for warm water... Hehe.. I couldn't tell you. All the warm water I have dove has been on the East Coast, or southern Hemisphere. Most my diving is done in 48f Warm water (Its warm.. if your a seal) I understand that the Channel Islands off the coast of So.Cal is a bit warmer (60-70 Degrees) but don't quote me on that. Also, Check SCUBADIVING Magazine May edition, May has about 300 dive sites around the world and good articles about them, might also help ya.