When the Weather Outside is Frightful - Part II
Posted By Peter Scott on 25 February 2003
Frozen Feet
The blood shift from the extremities to the core to protect valuable organs against the cold and increased water pressure is a boon to freedivers. Unfortunately, it spells disaster for our hands and feet, especially if both feet have been crammed into the footpocket of a standard monofin.
Monofin freedivers, myself included, have suffered from foot problems due to cold and constricted blood circulation. While no one has had any toes amputated (yet), the lack of blood flow has caused tendonitis, numbness, prolonged under-circulation, and even aches and strange sensations days later.
Save your feet! Get out before they turn numb and promote circulation by moving around, swinging your legs at the hip to drive blood downward, massaging toes, and stamping your feet gently on the ground. Swimming with numb feet can injure or damage nerves, tendons, and tissues, never mind the risk of frost nip or frost bite. Feet can be warmed with lukewarm water. Another method to warm the feet is to swim vigorously and then suddenly get out of the water and remove your fins or monofin, and sit down, keeping your feet off any cold ground. Blood will now rush to the feet and warm them up.
Putting It All Together
To maximize the body’s potential to generate heat, use the following strategies:
- Eat lots of good fat and protein in the days leading up to diving. Load carbohydrates the night before for optimal glycogen storage. Snack while diving. Drink water.
- Avoid fasting! Eat at least 2-3 hours before diving.
- Surface swim between dive sessions. For example, make ten dives, then go for a swim, snack, increase circulation in your feet and hands, then back to diving.
- Reheat extremities frequently. Poor motor control in your hands and feet can be a safety liability in an emergency.
- Get out or warm up when you start intense shivering.
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