Whole-body active heating does not preserve finger temperature or manual dexterity during cold-water immersion.

Conclusion: Manual dexterity decreased during immersion. Dexterity was further impaired during cold-water immersion and was not maintained by water perfusion active heating. Warm water perfusion did not maintain finger temperature above 15°C but hand temperature remained above these limits, suggesting a need to reassess thermal thresholds for working divers in cold-water conditions.
PMID: 32574442 [PubMed - in process]

Source: Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine - June 25, 2020 Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Wheelock CE, Hess HW, Schlader ZJ, Johnson BJ, Hostler D Tags: Undersea Hyperb Med Source Type: research