Installing and using a Pee valve in a semi-dry wetsuit? Anyone have any feedback?

[O man]

I am thinking of installing a Pee valve in my semi-dry 7/5 Scubapro wetsuit as don't always hold it for an hour + dive and really don't like to pee in a suit that doesn't flush with a lot of water. So just thinking of a non-balanced Pee-valve but was looking for some feedback from anyone who has experience with these good or bad in a wetsuit? Suggestions?? Thanks...

 

[OtherHalf]

I dive an 8/7 henderson semi dry and I couldnt see a pee valve being reasonable. I get enough flush I wouldn't imagine it was a reasonable addition. Plus, my suit is so tight I couldnt imagine being able to get a pee valve hooked up and the suit on without introducing more complications, not to mention it'd be pressing against you as the suit squeezed, not loose like in a drysuit, and one more point of entry for water.. Seems like a lot of effort for little gain.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

Putting such a valve in a suit not designed for it is almost impossible to accomplish and maintain the waterproof aspects of the semi- dry, which then becomes a "mostly wet" suit. One alternate solution: as part of your predive safety check, add voiding your bladder.
DivemasterDennis

 

[Stoo]

I use a pee valve in a drysuit. Even in a loose-fitting drysuit, the biggest issue with thse things tends to be getting a kink in the hose, causing "blow-back"...

I've never worn a semi-dry suit, but I assume that they're tight like a wetsuit, and I wonder if getting and maintaining an un-kinked line would be possible.

Apart from being icky, a blow-back can apparently carry some heath risks as well.

 

[Scott]

It can be done.
While I was in Florida a few weeks ago for a cave course I was talking with a couple divers during a surface interval who had valves installed on their wet suits.
Apparently they had been doing it for years. Speaking with them, the crude version was a tubing running down to the cuff.

 

[eponym]

Eat something salty just before entering the water (chips, nuts). The increased salt level will prompt your body to retain more water and you'll feel less urge to pee on the dive.

I agree about the problem with hose routing/squashing. I use a valve in my drysuit, no problem, but my Nova Scotia semi-dry is way too snug, even for the "down the leg and into the boot" route Scott mentioned above (too too funny).

-Bryan

 

[g1138]

First ask yourself how much water dumps out of your semi-dry when you exit the water. You'll have your answer as to how much water flush you actually get.

Alternative solution for the gross factor is to keep a sturdy gallon jug (like those made by Arizona Tea) handy to fill with water for a quick shower rinse after you're done for the day.

Pee valve isn't going to work with a wetsuit, unless you have a lot of baggy space to prevent hose kink. "Hose" being an homonym in that sentence.

 

[jadairiii]

I use a p-valve in my semi-dry and love it, over 2 years now. no more swimming around in your own pee for long or short dives.

Couple of issues though. with a dry suit you can have a real long inner hose that goes all over but with a semi-dry you need to shorten the hose, I also added a 90 at the end that goes to the cathater for routeing purposes.

You will really like it not only like I said swimming in your own pee but also between dives you just walk to the platform and let it rip without taking off your suit. Hydrate all you want and never worry. PM me if you have any specific questions.

 

[Panama Jones]

I dive a well fitting semi dry and I don't use a p-valve but to be semi-dry it fits very snug. The hose will probable flatten and you get the blow blowback. However, if I did do a p-valve in the semi, why would I use the valve? A p-valve is about $200. Go to your health gadget store and get the condom catheter and hose w/o the bag for under $10.

 

[TMHeimer]

I've heard it is costly regarding a wetsuit. Don't know about a semi-dry. I used to use a pretty must home made "external catheter". Got too complicated and worked only 60% of the time. So, I just stick the tubing in my bathing suit, down the leg and out. Flushes pee very fast. Of course it's not going through the hose, just along side it. After dives are over I have a 2 liter bottle of water to pour on my left leg, ETC. Not the greatest, but I have a life-long serious bladder problem not curable by any "drink/don't drink/eat this or that". I pee all the time. This is the easiest way for me. Just a thought, as it also just costs a piece of hose--which must be exactly the right strength/flexibility or it won't work. Good luck with the real pee valve.

Oh, I just discovered this today: I always leave my socks on while donning the wetsuit pants (farmer john). If you stick the end of the pee hose in the sock you don't have to struggle getting the hose down your leg. Then remove sock of course. Another today discovery: In 40F water your "pee" leg that flushes more doesn't get noticably colder than the other one. Of course at 40F you're pretty cold all over anyway.