First I would like to thank all those who replied to my freezing hand situation. I will report now how I fixed the problem. I have a Kokatac dry suit. In the fall my hands got cold so I stretched the wrist gaskets and the problem went away. Then in January when it got really cold and the problem returned. Someone on paddlewise suggested I stretch them out using water bottles filled with hot water. I did this but the problem persisted. I thought maybe the gaskets were loose enough for temperatures in the 30s but down into the teens the little extra tightness was causing a problem. I could not stretch the gaskets anymore without risk of tearing them. At this time my neck gasket tore and I had all the gaskets replaced with NRS extra durable thick gaskets. Their comfortable, not as tight and easy to put on and off. This fixed 50% of my freezing hands. I then saw in a mountaineering store, gortex, water proof, breathable shells, ( as mittens ), that came a third of way up my forearms. They were expensive, but I bought them anyway. I placed 3 1/2 mm neoprene mittens inside the these shells. Well they worked fantastically. Finally warm hands. Again thanks a lot Richard *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Just a few thoughts; have you tried a self-rescue with them on? Can you get them off without loosing the boat? Do they fill up with water if you swim? I like the idea but like Mukluks, I worry about the water issues with a rescue, though you can just hold your hand up and the water should run out. You just have to hold onto your paddle and boat. Joan <<. I then saw in a mountaineering store, gortex, water proof, breathable shells, ( as mittens ), that came a third of way up my forearms. They were expensive, but I bought them anyway. I placed 3 1/2 mm neoprene mittens inside the these shells. Well they worked fantastically. Finally warm hands.>> *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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