Frozen hands

[1oldcoyote]

Coldest day I've hunted coyotes was -40WC. I've hunted numerous times >-20WC. One hunt worth noting was around -28WC. I snuck in on a pr of coyotes 5/8 mile from the road. I shot the closest one once I went prone on a hill top. Hit that coyote midship. As the coyote ran in circles & pronked like a buck horse. My follow up shots never connected in the stout quartering winds. My eyes were starting to freeze shut.

So I decided both the coyote & I had enough & I headed back to my truck from the hills. Once I got to my truck. My hands were cold & stiff. I could not move my fingers. So I tucked them in between my (naked) clasped groin to thaw them. So I could reach into my pocket to fetch my truck keys. So here I'm standing bent over trying to thaw my hands. My hands were under my coverall, under my jeans & under my long underwear & underwear.

With my "hands in my pants". Here came a farmer down the road. He passed me by, driving very slowly. Staring at a man on a county road "with his hands in his pants". haha

Well that technique. Worked well enough to thaw my hands. I drove home. Long story short; Sticking your frozen hands in your pants. May be a lifesaver.

 

[Gellar]

It always brings a chuckle from the students during hunters Ed classes when we are talking about first aid and I tell them to place their hands in their groin area to warm them up. But it’s a finger saver!

 

[1oldcoyote]

It always brings a chuckle from the students during hunters Ed classes when we are talking about first aid and I tell them to place their hands in their groin area to warm them up. But it’s a finger saver!

It works.

 

[dirtclod Az.]

I have been cold, but never lost a finger here in AZ.

 

[AlaskaHunter]

I am a big fan of those chemical handwarmers.
I is a long cold boat ride out of duck camp, and my hands stay warm
with chemical hand warmers, polar fleece mittens and large shells
I sewed from wader material.



Fortunately, with climate warming we have not seen cold winters in the -60s since
the 1980s...the slave cylinder on my old F150 clutch would rupture anytime
I drove it colder than -40.

 

[1oldcoyote]

During Wintertime predator hunts with the WC below zero. I wear a full head polyester knitted facemask. Over that, I wear a full head & neck. Nomex Fire hood. Nomex fire hoods as in a firefighting hood. Are fire resistive & have an extremely tight weave. Which work extremely well at blocking stout winds from piercing it's fabric. They are also very lightweight & thin.

 

[D4570]

I have had frostbite on my fingers and thumb.
NOTHING to mess with. Get them warm ASAP and any way you can.
I did not lose any digits but did have to have some gangrene cut out.
NASTY !!!!

 

[Gellar]

I am a big fan of those chemical handwarmers.
I is a long cold boat ride out of duck camp, and my hands stay warm
with chemical hand warmers, polar fleece mittens and large shells
I sewed from wader material.
View attachment 227267
View attachment 227266

Fortunately, with climate warming we have not seen cold winters in the -60s since
the 1980s...the slave cylinder on my old F150 clutch would rupture anytime
I drove it colder than -40.

12-Hour Refillable Hand Warmer

When you’re outdoors, you’re focused. Whether hunting, fishing, camping, or simply enjoying ice time with your buds, you don’t want distractions like cold hands. Zippo’s new and improved filling process for its hand warmers keeps you in the game! Fill...

www.zippo.com

I use one of these in my pocket during cold hunts. Lasts longer and less waste.

 

[D4570]

It's hard to keep them lit in windproof pants or gloves, no air.
I like to put warmers in my boots too.

 

[Gellar]

It's hard to keep them lit in windproof pants or gloves, no air.
I like to put warmers in my boots too.

Never thought of that. My set up for below zero is rag wool fingerless gloves and A hand muff with heater in it.

I also use big chopper mitts, but prefer the freedom of the rag wool gloves.