Relief valve?

[vidiotdave]

Hi,
just wondering if it's worth a relief valve in a dry suit...

Having never dived in a dry suit.. and having to drink loads of water to avoid DCI..
Is it worth getting one put in? worth holding on? or does it look a bit lame?

.. I am sure this could open up all sorts of discussions...


:D :D :D

[Roz]

Well worth it for sure. You can cause damage to your kidneys by "holding on". Yorkshire Divers did have a very useful thread running about Pee Valves recently, so it may well be worth checking that out.

[Nigel Hewitt]

just wondering if it's worth a relief valve in a dry suit...
Having never dived in a dry suit.. and having to drink loads of water to avoid DCI..
Is it worth getting one put in? worth holding on? or does it look a bit lame?I have one, like it and use it.
I have to drink lots after a run in with Kidney Stones so just being able to open the screw makes life a lot more comfortable. I have the simple one from O3, fitted it myself, I've never felt the need for one of the 'balanced' ones. Just more bits to go wrong.

A long deco hang is long enough already without doing it busting for a...

[vidiotdave]

Thanks, I've done a bit more looking...
I really meant a releif zip, not a pee valve..

[Richard Whitcombe]

Just get a front entry drysuit. Lots of other benefits but one being you can let yourself out of it to go to the toilet.

[Mark Papp]

Thanks, I've done a bit more looking...
I really meant a releif zip, not a pee valve..Since pee valves became more mainstream, I think the concept of a pee zip has become utterly redundant.

[Woz]

Just get a front entry drysuit. Lots of other benefits but one being you can let yourself out of it to go to the toilet.If you do, make sure you get one where the zip runs across your chest in the correct place, low enough to get Mini Me out and go for a wazz. Otherwise you end up contorted with wee all over your hand. Seaskins are cut like this, Polarbears less so.

[Richard Whitcombe]

Ive got a seaskin and its generally ok. No experience of others!

[Nigel Hewitt]

Since pee valves became more mainstream, I think the concept of a pee zip has become utterly redundant.
Boys are so shy about things like that.

I'm dive managing a RIB dive and one of the girls of the last pair in announces "Sorry. Everybody look the other way. I gotta go."

We unzipped her and left her to it. It didn't take long.

[Garf]

Thanks, I've done a bit more looking...
I really meant a releif zip, not a pee valve..

No. Another zip is another major potential failure point in the suit and you still can't wazz until you leave the water. Get a P Valve.

[Woz]

No. Another zip is another major potential failure point in the suit and you still can't wazz until you leave the water. Get a P Valve.Or to save all the hassle of gaffer taping your chopper into a condom catheter with the associated hair removal fun, get some 800ml self-adhesive incontinence pads from Boots. About £4 for a pack. "Little and often" is the trick and when you've finished the dive, throw it at your buddy's head for added hilarity.

[Nigel Hewitt]

No. Another zip is another major potential failure point in the suit and you still can't wazz until you leave the water. Get a P Valve.
I've had two failures with the stick-ons, both on archaeological weeks, so both involved driving home in the suit and leaving the undersuit in the shower, throughly rinsed, to dry overnight.

It's times like that I'm glad I can afford decent accommodation on these things. :D

I'm currently using a Custard Divers Hee-wee and it seems very good if a bit pricey.

[Ari]

Custard Divers

I have heard of Shark Infested Custard ! But this sounds a bit more interesting .. :) (sorry ..)

Assume this (http://www.customdivers.com/hewee-go-urination-system-for-men-221-p.asp) is what was intended ..

[Nick Argue]

Thanks, I've done a bit more looking...
I really meant a releif zip, not a pee valve..

I'd added a convenience (or P) zip to my rear entry dry suit. It's just so much more convenient that having to half undress on a rib in the rain. Don't do very long deco hangs so I don't need to wee underwater.

I suspect the chance of it failing are far less that the big zip across the shoulders or tearing a seals as you try to undress on a rib.

Next suit will be front entry though

[Mark Papp]

Boys are so shy about things like that.

I'm dive managing a RIB dive and one of the girls of the last pair in announces "Sorry. Everybody look the other way. I gotta go."

We unzipped her and left her to it. It didn't take long.It's not shyness, it's convenience. When it's raining and you're snug inside your zipped up and inflated suit and you want to go, hanging a leg over the side is soooo fine and leads to very high levels of smugness.

[Garf]

I've had two failures with the stick-ons, both on archaeological weeks, so both involved driving home in the suit and leaving the undersuit in the shower, throughly rinsed, to dry overnight.

It's times like that I'm glad I can afford decent accommodation on these things. :D

I'm currently using a Custard Divers Hee-wee and it seems very good if a bit pricey.

I was wondering about that last year actually. It is pricey, but it's good to hear a positive review, so cheers Nigel.

[Nigel Hewitt]

I was wondering about that last year actually. It is pricey, but it's good to hear a positive review, so cheers Nigel.
You won't believe the size of the hole in the diaphragm but it's amazingly comfortable. I've worn one all day and the only discomfort was some of the Velcro chaffing my legs driving home aprés dive.

Getting it on is an art but I'm not describing that in a public newsgroup. :eek: