Electronic Hand Warmers - Real need!

Dave Diefenderfer

Dave Diefenderfer

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As we head into Summer, I am planning for Duck Season. I have been quiet on the forum for the past few months.... I missed all of the duck season. On October 7th, I tangled with my table saw, a dado blade, and a piece of cherry, and lost. I made a mess of my left hand, damaging all 4 fingers. I was fortunate, God had His plans, and He took good care of me. He put all the right people in my life at the right time. Our newly called Pastor's (installed on October 2nd) wife is a certified hand therapist. When I had my accident I was still coordinating their benefits! When they heard of my accident, they rushed to the emergency room to see me. After accessing the care I was getting, she contacted a new local contact (they were not even moved in yet by us), and got me in contact with a hand specialist/surgeon/plastic surgeon in DC. He told her to have me meet him at the hospital (other than first ER). Dr Hashemi has taken very good care of me. Just last week I had my 4th surgery.


I missed 2 months of work, then worked part time for 2 more months. Najwa (Pastor's wife) is my hand therapist 2 or 3 times a week. I missed duck season, but also the Fall trap season. While I still have all 4 fingers and thumb, the index is far from fully recovered. All hardware is removed, but half of my index it bone and tight skin. No meat, and no insulation.... lots of raw nerve!


I was training for the Marine Corps Marathon again when I had my accident, and have run only a little since. First I was prohibited, and then the cold was difficult/painful. During the winter, I bought a pair of surplus arctic warfare mittens. They are huge gantlets that easily fit over the twisted and bandaged hand. I can now fit into normal gloves/mittens, but know that cold (anything below 60 deg hurts and turns purple) is going to be my challenge.


I can shoot again, hitting right at my average again in trap, though I can not grip the fore stock normally, and need to pad the middle knuckle some.


My experience with the disposable hand warmers is that they were OK, not great, I know they will not be enough. I usually hunt using a muff with woolen fingerless gloves. I have been reading about the zippo type warmers, but wonder if they will snuff out in the muff? The new rechargeable units sound promising.....
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AYASBP2/?tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&ascsubtag=AgEAAAAAAAAAABoKAAAAAGout_cAAAAAWRthiw&th=1&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015UO7QBQ/?tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&ascsubtag=AgEAAAAAAAAAABoMAAAAAGout_cAAAAAWRthiw


I found this article: http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-hand-warmer/


Has anyone tried either the Zippo in a muff, or the re-chargeable?


Boat work also stalled, but I have another new exciting project, and will post on it soon....


TIA,
 
I can't speak for the zippo brand but have used the Jon-e brand for 50 plus years they get hot and stay hot. they are kind of a pain to fill with lighter fluid, do not overfill ! sometimes they are a pain to get lit. when they are burning/running the fumes they put off is over powering in a closed room situation. I fill and start mine in the garage. I put them in the back of the truck for the trip to the field. the fumes are too much for in the cab. then I get them out and put them in my bag. I use them in the layout blind for late season goose hunting. the other thing that you might want to look at is the Gerbing heated muffs. A number of us have the vests and they are awesome. we also have the heated pads for in the layout blind. again, worth their weight in gold when it is single digits with 20+ wind and you are watching the dirt blow waiting for geese to finally get off the water and come out to fee. anyway, a buddy of mine's Dad has circulation problems with his hands and he has one of the gerbings muffs and swears by it. Good luck and hope your recovery progresses well for you
 
Dave sorry to hear about your hand. Nice to have great surgeons. Hope all works out, keep up the therapy it will all help.
May lose part of next season myself. Gonna try to get my back fixed.
 
Dave, Sorry to hear about your accident, the birds here got a pass last season from me too. Glad to hear you are shooting again, I hope to start soon. Surgery recovery is taking quite some time and chemo through the summer might slow things down. Sounds like you had some really good fortune too, I had soo many things fall into place I still can't believe it.Shiny side up, T
 
I cant provide any advice on handwarmers, haven't used one since I left PA in 1992.

But I can say that I am dang glad you came out alright on this side of that accident. It sure coulda been a lot worse and sounds like the right people were put in the right place to be there right when your needs arrived.
We're all pulling for yah for a fuller recovery.
Now, rub some dirt on it & get back in the game! :)
 
Hello Dave,
I am glad God was looking out for you. Keeping the hand warm will definetly help in your recovery.
John from the Jersey Shore get togethers.
 
Hello Dave,

Sorry I can't help with the hand warmer question, but I sure want to wish you well with your continued recovery. "Stuff" happens in a heartbeat doesn't it? Glad you have good people in your corner. Take care. Jim
 
Dave, i see the need for some kind of heated glove especially for travelling long distances in the boat getting there and back. I can usually keep my hands warm once the decoys are set and we are waiting.

I haven't done the research yet but i am thinking there must be something in use by motorcyclists or snow machine users that would work. Just thinking out loud . Good luck on the recovery.
 
Best wishes for the rest of your recovery. Your post was a sobering story as I am just about to introduce my 13y.o. son to the lathe and it'll have me trippling down on my safety-safety-safety speech.

I haven't used hand warmers in a long time, but I use ThermoCell inserts in my boots from time to time and they have been great. I believe TV also has handwarmers too.

Cheers.
 
Hi Dave sorry to hear about your accident.
Have you considered a heated glove or glove liner like to ones motorcyclists wear during the winter?
They run off of a 12v battery and some can get as warm as 135 degrees.
Best of luck!


Tim
 
Dave

I can't help with the hand warmer request but let me say how sorry I am to hear of your accident. I use my table saw weekly and appreciate your sharing your story as it helps me continue to be safety conscious.

Eric
 
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Thank you all for the suggestions.... I will continue to research and report back when I have tried something. I know from experience that insulation alone will not do what I want/need. I need a heat source for sure.


With respect to table saws.... what I did was stupid. No excuses. I had done it before, same process with pine many times. It was stupid to do it with pine too. What I did not consider was how different the saw would react to the harder cherry.


Now, let me point everyone to a really cool technology. SAWSTOP Yes, it cost more than the Home Depot or Craftsman table saws, but take a look at your out of pocket maximum on your health insurance, and what a couple months off work cost you? I will clean up my nice cast iron Craftsman Table Saw, and get some nice pictures to put it up on Craigslist....then buy the SAWSTOP. No question in my mind. Every few weeks someone posts on their FB page showing the papercuts that occurred when they triggered the saw. Never even requires a stitch! If you use the saw daily, then the cost is even less of a concern.... in any case, you all need to think of me everytime you power up a saw. If you need to see gory pictures I have them!
 
Dave very sorry to hear about your misfortune. For hand warmers I carry a supply of the disposable hand warmers. I usually always hunt barehanded for calling and shooting even when temps get in the teens. I use disposable hand warmers in my pockets. Some of the large sized body warmers throw quite a bit of heat for quite a while. I am sure you could find a good mitten to stuff one in if needed. Good luck with your search and continued recovery.
 
Dave,
This is a great story... in terms of the right people being present for you. So glad that particular pastor accepted the Call to your congregation.

May the Lord bless your healing and your witness that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him."

Blessings in the Name,
Larry Eckart
 
Pastor, there have been so many "God moments" surrounding my accident. It honestly has been a blessing. It has given me numerous witness opportunities, it afforded me the time off to settle Pastor Joel and his family into the area. It has created a strong bond between his family and mine.

In so many ways I was blessed and well cared for.
 
Dave, I have heard really good reports on these. You likely couldn't shoot in them but could slip into them in between birds.

http://www.gearinstitute.com/skiing/ski-gloves/item/columbia-bugaglove-max-electrically-heated-gloves

They have a glove on their website by a different name but it appears to be out of stock at the moment. (not surprising in spring)

http://www.columbia.com/mens-electro-amp-glove-SM7258.html
 
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glad to hear your on to full recovery. I put my index and middle finger into a radial arm arm years ago and have problems with the cold as well.

I did try a new pair of Cabelas rechargeable gloves this past season . The gloves were upgraded with gortex and insulation. The newer batteries made a difference but they don't last more then 3 hours so I bought an additional set of batteries. the gloves were on sale for 60.00 bucks the second set of batteries cost the same 60.00. They also make them in a mitt which would work while you are under way.

I usually hunt with 4 pair of gloves , 2 pair for travelin and setting dekes and 2 for gunning.
 
For $12 delivered, I ordered a 12hr Zippo handwarmer. Will mess with it off season and see if it will stay lit in my muff. Not much invested, so worth the test. Thank you all for your kind words and suggestions. Will keep you all posted of results.
 
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