I just installed a pee valve in my dry suit. The problem is I can't relax enough to use it. Anybody have any suggestions. Ill even except snide remarks.
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I just installed a pee valve in my dry suit. The problem is I can't relax enough to use it. Anybody have any suggestions. Ill even except snide remarks.
They can take some getting used to. Try a 'practice pee' on the surface before you begin your dive, or even before you put your gear on. Also, some find that it's easier for them to pee if they stop swimming and sit still.
Brian
Depending on the type of valve, you may NEED to pee at the surface to "prime" the system and ensure you're able to use it at depth. Hydrate well, relax, and enjoy! As Brian said, it helps many people if they stop momentarily to get things started. Stop and enjoy the scenery for a bit, think about all that water flowing over your body, and aaaahhhhh! Good luck!
I had the same problem when I started wearing Depends on a dive. It just goes against everything you were taught for years not to do! Stopping, relaxing and thinking got me over that hump. I still can't piddle on the fly....still have to stop and hover. To say the least, my late buddy use to razz me big time over that...."I know what yer doin'....."
I have no qualms at all with peeing on myself, this is a problem when I forget I'm on dry land :/
I can pee anytime, anywhere so I can't offer any much help. My wife had a little bit of difficulty when she first started using the she-p but she just hydrated well and took a minute or 2 to convince herself it's ok to pee when standing up in her drysuit and then whammy, it just happened. After the first time I think it was smooth sailing after that.
Scott
I have found a quick, overboard flow confirmation helps with the mental aspect of peeing in my pants ::joy
Well since the topic is open, is it better for the valve to be installed with the hose going down (towards the foot), or up?
YES - Sing the pee pee song to yourself:Quote:
Originally Posted by diverpaul69
Tinkle tinkle little star
In the toilet not the car
Up above the bowl so high
Like yellow raindrops from the sky...
Or just watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bcBkwulvXs
My it's going up.Quote:
Originally Posted by FW
My hose goes up and I too have to stop to get started. Not wanting to hijack the thread but anyone got any tips to prevent cath blowoff?
Use widebands.Quote:
Originally Posted by rkij
Might not be unfamiliarity with the P-valve. You might need a perscription for Flomax. It makes starting and stopping easier. Getting old sucks.Quote:
Originally Posted by diverpaul69
Zipties perhaps? Also if you don't shave it never blows off :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by rkij
Just thinking about you makes me pee on the spot, oops here I go, ahhhhh.Quote:
Originally Posted by sskasser
It helps to get your mind focused on something else than the command to "pee now". Try running a few multiplication tables in your head. I hesitate to admit this, but I read this somewhere and found it works for those times when you are standing at the urinal and can't seem to get things going.
Real men hold it.
Actually, somebody came up to me at the Workshop and said something I wrote on the Deco Stop was his favorite internet quote: "I'm a schoolteacher. I can go three hours without going to the bathroom."
I know several people who can't go unless they are holding something (men??) It can get freaky if there is nothing in the water to hold on to except your buddy!
I have some psychological barriers too and find that with She-P it's generally hard below 30ft and if not primed. I pretty much need to stop moving to get started at least. It certainly gets easier with practice, lot of drinking and less drysuit squeeze.
I know this isnt helpful... but I love this video.... put your left hand out... and now I just see all these cavedivers finning along with their "left hand out.... and their right on top"..... <sigh>I might need to go back to work.....way too much time on my hands
Cheryl, I don't think I want to be your friend any more...
I find it helps to think about bottled water companies and where the water I am diving in may end up. I personally enjoy peeing in someone's bottled water and it makes a good pee very relaxing and satisfying.
Holy ****, I actually enjoyed reading that post Larry!
Seriously??? I have been using tape but zipties would be stronger.Quote:
Originally Posted by ARY
Oh come on...laugh a little... it's a slow day here at my house..... this is is what happens after being home recouping for several days......Quote:
Originally Posted by Slüdge
Food for thought
It was a interesting learning curve when I started my pee valve journey! Some cruel lady sold me the incorrect quick disconnect fittings and guess what it really sucks to have a blow off of that type on a deep dive that you drank water like crazy! Pissed in my suit three times and learned that a simple barb never fails!
I prime my valve a Dive Rite balanced before a dive and drink lots of water. I actually have found that the more hydrated the better I feel and especially on deeper dives.
Even with all the learning and trial and error I would never dive without the valve again it is just to easy to ensure awesome dives. Dive times went from 45-50 min to 1hr +!
I very much enjoy deco now that I can relieve myself and hydrate underwater. Sometimes at the same time! I love juice boxes they fit well into Dry suit pockets.
With regards to blowoff, pee early and often. If you don't work up to one big pee you won't have as much pressure on the discharge.
Last time I was guiding Mel Clark she start laughing in her DSV as I stop to pee. And then she start taking picture of me...:smt100Quote:
Originally Posted by Me
Luckly she did not have a macro objectif...:roll:
She even use the picture in her CCR cave book:smt081
In response to catheter blowoff, I found when I repalced the tubing that came with mine with stiff neopreme gas line tubing from an auto parts store I had no more kinking or blowoffs.
I don't have a P-valve and I don't want one. But if I DID have one, nothing less that stainless steel braided tubing would do for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by bullfrog
Maybe just as well than that you don't have one, as that could be rather painful!Quote:
Originally Posted by Slüdge
I think the key here is, before "plumbing" up.....just go ahead and pee in the dry suit...once you have done that about 3 times, its really no big deal if you don't get the pee valve mastered the first few dives. :rollguy
You can read all the info out there on pee valves and the "right way" to do it.....but there is a learning curve involved that you won't understand until you have p*issed your drysuit at least 3 times !!!!!
If you come to Columbus, Georgia, stop by Chattahoochee Scuba and ask the owner about his epiphany - the P-valve works better if you UNSCREW THE BOLT!Quote:
Originally Posted by cavediver256
You have to unscrew the bolt? That explains the shiny new P-valve bolt I found sitting on a sand dune in the Roller Coaster tunnel at Ginnie. It's been sitting in my dive toolbox since February. Hope whoever lost it didn't have a backflow event!Quote:
Originally Posted by Slüdge
Mike
My hose goes up. But I live in Australia so this may have an effect?Quote:
Originally Posted by FW
Ken
Yep, because Australia is on the bottom of the earth, you're always upside down. So, it makes sense for the hose to go up (which is really down). :DQuote:
Originally Posted by KenSmith
Shirley (whose hose goes up, then down)