To Pee or Not to Pee: Should We be Peeing in a Wetsuit?
September 30, 2024
Diving is an activity that combines adventure, exploration, and physical endurance. However, it also brings up an often unspoken and somewhat taboo topic: peeing in a wetsuit. Divers frequently face the urge to urinate more while underwater, leading to debates about whether it is appropriate or advisable to do so in their wetsuits. We will delve into why this urge occurs, the physiological aspects involved, the implications for comfort and hygiene, and how divers can manage this aspect of the experience. So let us find out… to pee or not to pee?
Why Do Divers Feel the Urge to Pee More While Diving?
The increased urge to urinate while diving is caused by a combination of physiological and environmental factors. One of the main reasons is "immersion diuresis", a process triggered when the body is submerged in water.
The pressure of water on the body and the cooler temperatures typically encountered underwater lead to a redistribution of blood from the extremities to the core. This shift increases the central blood volume and stimulates the kidneys to excrete more urine to maintain balance in the body’s fluid levels, resulting in a stronger need to pee.
Another factor is "cold-induced diuresis," where the cooler water temperatures encourage the body to eliminate excess fluid to help maintain core body temperature. This natural response is more pronounced in cold-water diving, where the body seeks to minimize heat loss by reducing peripheral circulation. The combination of immersion diuresis and cold-induced diuresis explains why people often find themselves needing to pee more frequently when scuba diving.
The Mammalian Dive Response in Freediving
The mammalian dive response, a series of physiological reactions that occur when mammals are submerged in water, plays a crucial role in freediving. This response is characterized by bradycardia (slowing of the heart rate), peripheral vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels in the extremities), and blood shift (movement of blood to the core areas of the body). These changes help conserve oxygen and maintain blood flow to vital organs during prolonged periods of breath-hold diving.
One consequence of the dive response is an enhanced urge to urinate. As peripheral vasoconstriction reduces blood flow to the limbs, more blood is shunted towards the core, increasing renal perfusion and, subsequently, urine production.
The body, in response to this increased central blood volume, signals the kidneys to filter out excess fluid, thereby intensifying the need to urinate. This phenomenon is an unavoidable part of the body’s adaptation to the aquatic environment and is particularly pronounced in freedivers, who rely heavily on the dive response to maximize their underwater time.
Does Peeing in a Wetsuit Actually Make You Warmer?
A common belief among divers is that peeing in a wetsuit can provide temporary warmth. While this might offer a brief sensation of warmth, the reality is more complex:
The wetsuit itself works by trapping a thin layer of water between the neoprene and the skin, which the body warms. This layer serves as insulation, keeping the diver warm in cold water. When a diver urinates in their wetsuit, the initial warm sensation comes from the body-warmed urine. However, this effect is fleeting.
Urine, like any liquid, cools quickly once it comes into contact with water at a lower temperature. As the urine cools, it can actually accelerate heat loss from the body, making the diver feel colder after the initial warm sensation dissipates. Moreover, wetsuits are not designed to be watertight, so cold water will eventually seep in, further cooling the urine and reducing the insulating effect.
While peeing in a wetsuit might provide a momentary illusion of warmth, it does not contribute to long-term thermal comfort and can even be counterproductive in cold environments.
How to Avoid Your Wetsuit Smelling Like Pee
One of the main concerns divers have about peeing in a wetsuit is the potential for lingering odors. Urine, if not properly rinsed out, can lead to unpleasant smells and degrade the material of the wetsuit over time. To prevent this, follow these basic hygiene practices.
- After diving, thoroughly rinse the wetsuit with fresh water to remove salt, urine, and other contaminants.
- Use a specialized wetsuit cleaner or a mild detergent to help break down any residues and eliminate odors.
- Turn the wetsuit inside out during cleaning to ensure all areas are thoroughly washed.
- Dry the wetsuit in a well-ventilated, shaded area to prevent the growth of mold and mildew, which can also contribute to odors.
Regular maintenance and cleaning not only help keep the wetsuit fresh but also extend its lifespan by preserving the neoprene material.
Is Peeing in a Wetsuit a Good or Bad Thing?
Whether peeing in a wetsuit is a good or bad thing ultimately depends on the diver’s personal comfort, the diving conditions, and the duration of the dive. From a health perspective, occasional peeing in a wetsuit is not harmful, provided the wetsuit is properly cleaned afterward. However, from a comfort and hygiene standpoint, it may not be ideal due to the potential for odors.
If you are concerned about hygiene and maintaining your gear, it is best to avoid peeing in a wetsuit when possible. If the need arises, ensure that the wetsuit is thoroughly cleaned to prevent any long-term effects on the material or odor retention. You should also be aware of the cooling effects and not rely on urination as a method to stay warm!
While peeing in a wetsuit is a common practice among divers and can be considered a minor inconvenience, it is not without its downsides. Whether you choose to do it or not, make sure you prioritize your comfort and dive gear maintenance.
Want to find out more about looking after your dive gear?
Check out SSI’s Equipment Techniques Specialty at the link below.