This week’s blog plans to tackle something that is not widely discussed but everyone reading will know what we’re talking about – peeing in your (or our) wetsuit. Since diving was first invented Man (and Woman!) have been relieving themselves at will and letting nature take its golden course.
Of course this is OK if you own your own wetsuit. Or is it? Well not if you peel if off on the boat and send spray flying from the arms and legs as you whip them off. And not really if you soak it in a rinse tank where it mingles with wetsuits of the non peeing divers (allegedly they exist). And is that a regulator soaking in there as well????
So how about rental suits? Well its not yours so why should you care? Well why should the person who used it before you care???
Actually there is good science behind why some divers like to make the bladder gladder during a dive (and occasionally fully wet-suited people before a dive – you know who you are!!). Its known as immersion diuresis and happens when the body is immersed in water and the temperature is lower then the ambient air. The water doesn’t trigger a desire to pee because, like a running tap it induces the sensation. Its because your blood redistributes to the major organs thanks to the relatively gravity free feeling of being suspended in liquid (gravity is very much at work in the water pressure but thats another issue). This makes your kidney think there is a fluid overload in your body and your kidneys start to produce urine in an effort to alleviate the perceived high blood volume in the central regions.
Before you spend a penny – one of the best ways to avoid having to revisit your potty years and soak your neoprene nappy is to make sure you are adequately insulated on a dive so buy a decent wetsuit. ‘Wee’ just thought you should know.
