By Joel Dodd, Western Zone Patroller (joel.dodd@skipatrol.ca)
Throughout the height of winter, being on scene assisting injured people can lead to our hands getting cold quite quickly. Having to remove our insulated gloves to don PPE gloves, means our fingers may go numb quickly. The cool tool (or rather hot tool) I’ve been using, makes a huge difference after I remove my PPE gloves.
Rechargeable hand warmers
There are numerous rechargeable hand warmers out on the market. I use a pair that have different heat intensity modes. Many models last for several hours (even on the high heat setting). I also use a pair that are rated IP45 for protection against water splashes. But they are not waterproof to being submerged or high-pressure streams of water.
This is the model I use, and they currently come in a variety of colours.
Ocoopa Magnetic Rechargeable Hand Warmers 2-pack
Hand warmer uses
Keeping hands warm (obviously)
I’ve found that keeping them in an inside jacket pocket (turned off), and then turning them on as soon as I am ready to put my insulated gloves on again, helps to thaw out my fingers very quickly. I just slide them into the glove, and I’ve got almost-instant heat. Or great for warming up on the long, cold, windy ride up the chair lift.
Keeping gear warm
They are also nice to have on you if your cell phone battery depletes quickly in the cold. You can keep some heat close to the phone, to help lessen the effects of the outside temperature on your battery. Just ensure you aren’t overheating your cell phone if you keep a handwarmer in the same pocket!
Warming up gear
Forgot your boots overnight in the car? Toss these inside each boot, and it will help take the chill off the liner, by the time you get to the ski area.
Have that bulk Little Hotties box from Costco?
Switched to the rechargeable hand warmers, but still have a huge number of disposable hand warmers from last year’s Costco run? Keep a few in your pack or jacket and give them to folks who are freezing while you chat on the chairlift.
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