Question P-valve or "adult" diaper

[Alekseolsen]

I’m a firm believer in using an unbalanced valve. Easier to clean, less parts to fail. I have hundreds of dives on my two unbalanced valves. The only failure I had was not getting the Cath on properly and the Cath came off. I was very early on before I learned how to get the cath on properly. It wasn’t a valve issue, that was a condom Cath issue.

With the unbalanced, you do want to make sure that you prime it (meaning use it) on the surface before splashing. It was never an issue for me because I was ready to pee every time as soon as I plugged in!

These days with all my diving in Florida, I hardly ever dive dry. But when I do, I am fully plumbed!

As someone that went from balanced to unbalanced, and usually doesn't "prepe", why would I need to make sure I prime it? Seawater getting into the hose has, as far as I can understand, the same impact as me swimming without a drysuit (I.e wetsuit..) in the same water?

 

[eelpout]

Back in the Poseidon Unisuit days we would wear diapers when we would be in the water for more than an hour. When you had to go, you had in spurts and not just let it go because you would overwhelm the "Depends" technology back in the early 80's. I got my p-valve once I got into Technical diving. I never had to take apart my p-valves. I have only owned Halcyon p-valves (old and new model). I just remember to give the system a douche rinse and follow it with water at the end of the day. The issue most of us had was having to use one over 6 -8 days. The adhesive of the Rochester Wide Band catheters would build up and it was painful when you took it off. I then discovered a product at work that works wonders

 

[Divin'Papaw]

As someone that went from balanced to unbalanced, and usually doesn't "prepe", why would I need to make sure I prime it? Seawater getting into the hose has, as far as I can understand, the same impact as me swimming without a drysuit (I.e wetsuit..) in the same water?

I've found it can be hard to get a flow going if I had not filled the tube with urine prior to splashing. It's not a concern with getting water on the winky. That is identical to just swimming. I've found that water doesn't uniformly flow up the tube, rather there can be some air in there that compresses as you descend. Just a personal experience. It probably isn't hugely important.

 

[admikar]

Not so hasty, the former might make for interesting conversation when you're still wearing your catheter and male barb at the line of urinals later.

If you know how to play it right, you become an envy of every male in that line.
I just hold it with both hands, hence the envy.

 

[Tracy]

As someone that went from balanced to unbalanced, and usually doesn't "prepe", why would I need to make sure I prime it? Seawater getting into the hose has, as far as I can understand, the same impact as me swimming without a drysuit (I.e wetsuit..) in the same water?

It isn't an issue of water getting to you. Some people dive their unbalanced valve in the closed position rather than just leave it open all the time. For those people, if you don't prime the hose, there is an airspace in the hose. As you descend, that air space will contract. The pressure will replace that air with something else accessible within that airspace. One end is a brass bolt. The other end is a penis. Guess which end is easier to suck through the hose? It obviously isn't going to put your entire penis inside of the hose, but it will make a bad enough squeeze that you will be very uncomfortable.

 

[passedoutwookie]

All this discussion is further reinforcing my decision to continue diving wet.* All this sounds like way too much hassle and you are essentially going to have to deal with pee anyways.
Im fine locally in my 8 mm wetsuit.



* Dont ask.

Even with all my trials and tribulations, I would never go back. I am so much more comfortable than diving wet.

 

[Alekseolsen]

It isn't an issue of water getting to you. Some people dive their unbalanced valve in the closed position rather than just leave it open all the time. For those people, if you don't prime the hose, there is an airspace in the hose. As you descend, that air space will contract. The pressure will replace that air with something else accessible within that airspace. One end is a brass bolt. The other end is a penis. Guess which end gets sucked into the hose. It obviously isn't going to put your entire penis inside of the hose, but it will make a bad enough squeeze that you will be very uncomfortable.

Many thanks. Plumbing and valve closed would indeed cause some interesting effects!

 

[Tom Winters]

Listen pilgrim, go with the p-valve.

And—-> you cannot overclean it. I slacked off ONCE over 14 years ago and got a UTI that defined “mortal hell on earth”. I still remember the excruciating agony to this day.

On the adult diaper thing, you’ll be strapping into them soon enough just to go to the local Piggly-Wiggly or check your mail so no need to rush into ‘em.

 

[bletso]

It isn't an issue of water getting to you. Some people dive their unbalanced valve in the closed position rather than just leave it open all the time. For those people, if you don't prime the hose, there is an airspace in the hose. As you descend, that air space will contract. The pressure will replace that air with something else accessible within that airspace. One end is a brass bolt. The other end is a penis. Guess which end is easier to suck through the hose? It obviously isn't going to put your entire penis inside of the hose, but it will make a bad enough squeeze that you will be very uncomfortable.

How in the world did you come up with that? I have over 700 dives with my bolt type unbalanced P-valve at depths to 60+mfw and have never had any indication my member was being sucked through the hose? Really? I never do any prep other than donning the equipment and dive, nothing more complicated.

And as far as others recommending carrying repair kits? Sometimes simpler is just better.

 

[steinbil]

How in the world did you come up with that? I have over 700 dives with my bolt type unbalanced P-valve at depths to 60+mfw and have never had any indication my member was being sucked through the hose? Really? I never do any prep other than donning the equipment and dive, nothing more complicated.

And as far as others recommending carrying repair kits? Sometimes simpler is just better.

Do you dive with the valve open or closed?