114 replies to this topic

[sunlover]

OK, where's a pseudo-medical question: Why is it that women divers "never" have to "go" in their wetsuit? And guys do. I've often wondered if this is just BS but thought I'd ask for opinions here..... Now, don't tell me there are two kinds of divers............I'm seeking honest answers, especially from the girls. Remember this is medical research, not purient interest.

[triggerfish]

i think a lot of woman just get grossed out by it. the "ewwwwww" factor.

not me. when i gotta go, i go. i can't afford to hold it in too long and end up with a kidney infection.

[harleyman]

On my last trip, my buddy (female), buckeled over under water. Quite a site to see........she didn't want too, but did the right thing and didn't blow the dive profile........good thing I was up current............

[TheSassyRabbit]

I was once told that there are really only two types of divers... the ones who pee in their wetsuits and the ones that lie about it.

It may sound gross, but I can't imagine NOT peeing in my wetsuit underwater. Especially if I have a surface interval to sit through. Nothing that a little 'sink the stink" at the end of a trip can't handle Hey... if you gotta go, you gotta go... I did once learn through experience though that it's not a great idea to drink coffee just before diving..... who knew cramps could be THAT bad... and I thought I had experienced it all!

One of the dive magazines recently had an article this issue and it gave an explanation of why your body develops an urgency to pee while you're diving ... I'll have to see if it was one of the issues I saved....

[wrinkles]

I can say that I DO NOT pee in my wetsuit.

I think it is really gross and I can sometimes even identify the people who do pee by their smell. EEWWWW

I just can't pee in my wetsuit. Guess I had really intense potty training becuase it just seems so wrrng to me LOL

Ana

[Walter]

Yeah Wabbit,

I've heard that one for decades, but it's not true.

I know 3 people (all happen to be women) who can't force themselves to pee in their wet suits. At least one of them can't even do it in her swim suit.

I used to pee in mine, but like Ana says, the smell is bad. Sink the stink is hard to use on surface intervals. The other issue is the slimy feeling. I stopped the practice about 1987.

Last year, I head about using your suit (almost has to be a one piece to be effective) like an air lift. As you pee, or immediately after, orient yourself head down in a 45 degree angle. Stick your second stage in the neck of your suit and hit the purge button. This completely flushes your suit. No slimy feeling, no stink, but also no hiding what you did. Since then, I've resumed the practice when wearing my one piece wet suit.

Walter

[Ariesno1]

I used to hold it underwater. But on shore dives - often after I surfaced it was very difficult to find a spot where I could have privacy. So yes, now I am one of the female divers using the ocean.

[sapphire]

I'm with Ana! I do not pee in my wetsuit... blame it on intensive potty training or whatever, but I cannot even pee in the ocean if I TRY !! This sometimes makes for some uncomfortable boat trips so I try to watch my fluid intake on boats with no heads.

jennifer

[WisconsinGal]

I was at my LDS last night and we were talking about this very same topic, but, it was in general. Peeing/not peeing, why we feel like we we always gotta go when at depth. Most of the time I hold it but there are those times where I just can't and not ready to abort my dive and don't want to experience a kidney infection as TF has mentioned.

I was sent this link, found it to be an interesting article.

To Pee or Not to Pee


WG

[Diverlady]

I'm in the NOT group!!

I use a seal suit so if I did, I definitely would have trouble flushing it through!! I also am a drysuit diver and I would HATE to get into the habit of peeing in my wetsuit and then forget one day that I'm in my DRYsuit!!

I don't find too often that I have to go when I'm at depth but when I surface, look out! Do I ever have to go! In Coz with SD, I had to have help from Todd getting my suit off I had to go so badly and then I jumped back into the water to go! That was probably the worst I've ever had to go but I just couldn't bring myself to go in my suit. I hadn't even heard about peeing in a wetsuit 'til I joined a diving messageboard.

Diverlady

[Lubold8431]

I hydrate very well every day, and before diving. Yes, when I wear a wetsuit, if I gotta go, I go. In my drysuit, I have a p-valve. I have been thinking about putting a p-valve in my wetsuit as well. I dont think too much about it. Like I said, I drink alot of water, and my urine is clear. Not smelly.

[drbill]

There are only two types of divers... those who pee in their wetsuits, and those who lie about it.

Dr. Bill

[chinacat46]

I drink lots of water and always hit the head before I put on my wetsuit that being said if I got to pee or end a dive I'll pee.

[triggerfish]

The other issue is the slimy feeling.

slimy???

walter, what the hell are you ingesting that gives you SLIMY PEE???

in all my years as a nurse...and we're talkin' 25 yrs here.....i've NEVER seen

SLIMY PEE!!!!!!

[Walter]

How should I know what it is? It's dark here in the dungeon.