Re: [Paddlewise] Hypothermia Table

From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_rogers.com>
Date: Sat, 6 Apr 2002 12:47:42 -0500
From: <JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com>

> [...] 

Lots of useful, interesting stuff, Jack.

> And that transfers to small motor coordination and 
> other factors.

Just a comment on this.  I hope no one reads into this that a drysuit
will significantly extend dexterity.  I've been reading stuff trying
to find quantification of dexterity info for Shawn's table (rather
than his estimates).  While I haven't found anything quantified in
terms of time, there are several articles that qualify dexterity
with temperature.

One key point is that even though the forearm is protected and warm in
a drysuit, and the key muscles for the hand are in the forearm, cold
hands still lose dexterity in water.  There are several factors that
contribute to ease of motion in the hand.  Joints become stiff, the
nerves are affected (loss of sense of touch and therefore ability to
sense position, grip etc) and so on.  This prevents you from using 
your hands even though the muscles are warm.

The key is - for cold water, you'd still need hand protection, like
gloves, to extend your degree of and time of dexterity.

Mike


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Received on Sat Apr 06 2002 - 09:44:16 PST

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