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On the subject of waste management while diving...I fitted a drysuit
with a P-valve at the beginning of the dive season (early April). It
works but takes some getting used to and is certainly tricky to set up.
Diapers are much easier but hold a finite volume of fluid. If the dive
is long enough to create the need for waste (pee) management but not
long enough for multiple episodes, then diapers are sufficient. The
urine is wicked away and the thermal characteristics of your
undergarments does not seem to be compromised. On longer dives (read 120
minutes plus) the p-valve may be the best answer (my women dive buddies
will argue over this one!) By the way, the trick to avaoiding
leakage with a diaper is to let go a little urine at a time....if you
wait until you really have to go, the absorbant material tends to get
overloaded and then your thermal protection goes all to hell.

I have found that the added warmth offered ny the brief-style diapers
(attends is the brand name) helps to eliminate the urge to urinate and
often surface dry....The real hurdle by the way is overcoming the years
of training that scream "DON'T DO IT IN YOUR PANTS"....once you have
come to terms with that....do carry a double platic kitchen bag with you
for disposal by the way....and if the landfill question really preys on
you, think about the strain put on the environment by the production of
your tanks, gear and travel to and from the site, and you may feel less
guilty or you may simply give up diving.


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