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HumanEdgeTech presents: Put some HEAT on frostbite!

The extension cords allow for the Power Packs to be carried on the body. The Heating elements can either be used under the sole (ball of foot) or inside gloves (click to enlarge).

The foot/hand heating system from HET comes in a transparent Pelican case and includes everything you need (click to enlarge).

09:44 am CDT Oct 22, 2007
(HumanEdgeTech.com) "If you get frostbite, you're an idiot." Sitting at the glass veranda of the hotel where Shackleton stayed after his ship was wrecked on Antarctica's coast; the prominent polar guide didn't mince words.

Debating ignorance, explorers seldom use diplomatic niceties with each other. Still, the polar guide's statement at the table was a bit surprising considering that his hero - Peary - left for a controversial North Pole first with feet severely mutilated by frostbite from a previous expedition.

Frostbite can - and should - be prevented

One month later, in a very late arrival at the South Pole, one of us actually got frostbite to the toes. Even then we agreed with our polar friend for even if put a bit harsh; we knew he had a point.

Frostbite can - and should - be prevented. Proper care healed our frostbite en route to the North Pole, in spite of the thermometer bottoming out at -50C (-50F), such temperatures hitting Arctic skiers in only one other year since (this spring).

Prior to the North Pole trip, which started very soon after our South Pole quest, specialist doctors advised us not to follow through with our double-header. They had nothing to speed up the recovery process and if we didn't allow several months for the frostbite to heal it would spread, they said, and could kill if worse came to worst.

We took our chances and got away, but only after solving the problem. The solution; battery charged heating pads we had used previously on Everest, in addition to good old 'frostbite prevention'.

Frostbite on Everest

On Everest, frostbite and frostnip have increased dramatically in later years, in spite of much improved logistics and widespread use of supplementary oxygen.

This is surprising considering that such injuries are comparatively rare on the more difficult 8000ers, and then almost always related to severe climbing situations, such as storms trapping climbers without oxygen support high up on un-prepared routes. If you followed the recent Pakistan climbing seasons, you might recall the few frostbite injuries reported from there.

Amundsen: "Some call it bad luck, I call it bad planning."

"Defeat is certain for him who has neglected to take the necessary precautions in time; this is called bad luck," said Roald Amundsen. So how do you prepare your fingers and toes?

Veteran climbers attribute the increase in frostbite injuries on Everest to inexperience along with inadequate supplementary oxygen systems. For Everest, the first rule is therefore to make sure that your supplementary oxygen is sufficient. For other mountaineering and polar expeditions, the following tricks also apply:

1. Wear roomy shoes. This is not rock climbing; your feet will need space to circulate blood.

2. Powder your feet. Wet feet are cold feet. Dusting them with plain baby powder morning and night in camp will do wonders. Sleeping with your boots on is plain dumb.

3. Hydrate! Fluid thins you blood and increases circulation.

4. Stretch and wiggle your toes and fingers once in a while.

5. Wear heat pads.

Around for a while, heat pads haven't been easy to use on big climbs and polar expeditions. The batteries, designed to be carried on the outside of the boots, have died almost instantly in the brutal cold. On Everest, we rebuilt the battery-packs and rewired the system. Now, HumanEdgeTech has brought the system for you to enjoy!

When to use it

Explorers typically don't need a heating system until temperatures reach below -15C (5F). The risk of frostbite dramatically increases below -20C (-5F) and can come on suddenly, especially on altitude.

Due to competition for blood flow between fingers/toes and large muscle groups, the biggest risk of frostbite occurs during the first hour of activity (following camp or a rest stop). Fingers and toes need help heating until the warm blood returns. (Check article in the links section.)

The Power Pack is best turned on when hitting the trail in the morning, straight after a break, or when waiting in line (such as on fixed ropes). The Power Pack is typically shut off again after an hour or so. If it's very cold outside, explorers put the Power Pack on level 3 for 15-30 min and then turn it down to level 1 or 2.

HumanEdgeTech HEAT system - 20 bucks per toe

The foot/hand heating system from HET comes in a transparent Pelican case and includes everything you need.

The package includes:

2 x HEAT AA Power Packs
2 x Heating elements with 3 settings
2 x Heating extension cords
2 x Cut to size Soles
1 x Pelican case

(Not included: AA batteries.)

The extension cords allow for the Power Packs to be carried on the body. The Heating elements can either be used under the sole (ball of foot) or inside gloves. For extended expeditions with lots of friction wear expected, 2 extra heating elements are recommended.

At $234.00, after all, it's only 20 bucks per toe!

Check the system here

Each Power Pack holds 4 AA batteries. Use Alkaline, Lithium-Ion, rechargeable NICD or NIMH AA batteries. (Energizer Li-Ion batteries are lighter, more cold resistant and last longer.)

8-16 Li-Ion AA batteries should be enough for a long summit push. A complete South Pole expedition (60 days) requires about 30-50 batteries. A complete North Pole expedition about 40-60 batteries.

The stuff is great for other cold weather activities as well; 8 rechargeable batteries should be enough for a normal skiing day.