Individuals who love to experience adrenaline rushes in cold environments and those simply into outdoor activities will appreciate keeping their hands warm. It is essential to protect their hands from hypothermia to ensure comfort, safety, and the expected performance. Hypothermia occurs when the body is losing more heat than it can generate, thereby reducing the body temperature below normal which can be fatal if left untreated. The human hands are prone to hypothermia due to the greater surface area to volume ratio of the limbs and the extended exposure to cold air and wind during outdoor activities. Here we will cover appropriate preventive measures and useful recommendations to implement during cold adventure sports.
Dress Appropriately
Comfortable footwear and appropriate clothing a prerequisites in your survival kit that will help to keep your hands warm. Thus, they can be very helpful to prevent you from hypothermia when working outdoors. Pick up gloves or mittens that are made of insulating materials like fleece, wool, or synthetic fibers that are capable of keeping your hands warm. Ensure that the outer layer of the gloves is waterproof and windproof. It is highly important for protecting your hands from moisture and frigid winds. Also, consider bringing your liner gloves. In extreme cases, they can be really helpful in saving you from being cold and during intensive activities.
Keep Gloves Dry
Moisture is the enemy when it comes to keeping hands warm in cold weather. Wet gloves not only speed-up the process of losing heat from the body but also increase the risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Avoid getting gloves wet by using waterproof outer layers, promptly removing gloves if they become damp from sweat, and carrying spare pairs to swap out if needed. Also, you should consider carrying a portable glove dryer because it can help to quickly dry your gloves in no time. The 12 Volt glove dryer is lightweight and compact, allowing adventurers to easily carry this device in their backpack. It can be a lifesaver during winter adventure activities.
Layering System
Implementation of a layering system for hand protection increases the ability to regulate the temperature and get rid of moisture. With a waterproof, breathable venting liner the glove will neutralize sweat and keep the skin dry throughout long walks. Wear two sets of gloves or mittens to achieve greater warmth and trap the heat. Insulating functions of the submitting layer should also be realized. With multiple layers, it is possible to make fine-tuned changes when it comes to choosing insulation levels depending on the activity level and environmental factors.
Maintain Circulation
Proper blood circulation is critical for the hands to be warm and not suffer cold-weather-related injuries. Don’t go for gloves or mittens that are so tight causing restriction of blood flow which increases the chances of developing auto-immune conditions such as Raynaud’s phenomenon. When shaking hands, either right or left hand, wiggle fingers frequently to start blood circulation and reduce numbness of fingers. In case you notice that your hands become cold or numb, take short pauses to perform gentle massage to restore circulation.
Protect Against Wind Chill
The cold wind can quickly rob heat from the hands which will lead to a rapid cooling-off and in turn, increased susceptibility to hypothermia. Ensure your hands are well protected from the wind by wearing gloves or mittens that have extra layered cuffs with end up being pulled tight at the wrist to create a wind barrier. One cold weather gear consideration is the hand warmers or windproof shell mittens that can be used in cold and intense windy conditions when you go in exposed terrain.
Stay Hydrated and Nourished
If dehydration sets in or calories burned can not be replaced, then it becomes very difficult for your body to maintain a stable temperature. Consequently, your body’s energy levels fall below the threshold while doing outside activities. Drinking as much fluid as you can, but warm ones will help in maintaining the core temperature of the body. It will aid in preserving the water balance, and control the body’s heating. Eat high-energy snacks and meals that have a high-carb and fat content or glucose. High energy is required for doing various activities and maintaining the warmth of the whole including the hand body. Relying on alcohol in excessive amounts should be avoided as it decreases cognitive ability, increases risk perception, and causes intoxication.
Practice Active Warm-Up Exercises
Before going outdoors, do some exercises to increase the blood flow and enable the hands to warm up. Address basic hand exercises like squeezing and unclenching fists, rotating wrists, and bending fingers to improve blood supply and muscles. Incorporate full body movements through jumping jacks, jogging, or brisk walking to make the core body temperature hot. It enables your body to tighten up in cold weather.
Conclusion:
The above-mentioned tips and tricks can help adventure lovers prevent their hands from hypothermia and concentrate on having found. Cold weather means a lot of fun and adventure activities like skiing, trekking, snowboarding, etc. All these activities may let you have a lot of fun, but these also increase the chances of hypothermia. Hands are highly vulnerable to hypothermia. Therefore, carrying the right gloves, following the right strategies, and using a 12 V glove dryer can save you from the risk of hypothermia.
