Pee zip?

[edward]

So..... My suit needs new wrist seals, and while it is with Hammond (highly recommended, by the way) I was thinking of getting a pee zip fitted.

My reasoning is that I don't do long enough dives to need a pee valve, but I think that if I could pee without taking the suit off I would be inclined to drink even more on dive days. The increased hydration could only be good for me

So, what do you think? would it be a waste of time, an additional leak point etc, or would it be a great idea?

I would appreciate all your views.

Cheers

[Bogwoppit]

Pee valve cost £35.00 from Knackers then on going sheath cost £2 a pop.

Pee zip? how much? How long to install? Chance of zip failure?

Horses for courses.

[Rob Dobson]

I have both and my next suit will definitely be valve only.

A P-zip can be an issue for folding your suit - O'three claim that a zip is likely to reduce the lifespan of your suit as that is where the suit folds.

A P-zip can make life easier and it certainly reduces your dependency on a buddy letting you out of your suit but it can still be a challenge to get out in time - esp. if it's a close call.

Not all undersuits lend themselves to zips. Forget PBB and pretty much any one piece. 4th Element and similar are much easier to "get out of" through the zip opening.

My recommendation would be to get a valve. It that's definitely out and you have a suitable undersuit AND you know you will not be getting into longer/deco dives at some point in the future then go for it.

[edward]

I should add that I'm allergic to most medical grade adhesives (including the so-called hypoallergenic ones) so I'm doubly cautious about using roll-on sheaths etc.

I could catheterise myself, but that is just too much hassle to be a serious consideration.

So, that, and given that most of my dives are sub 1 hour, and with limited deco I didn't really consider a valve.

Really the thought was just to eliminate the pain of getting out of the suit to pee. It might also encourage me to drink even more. If it is a bad idea for the suit, then I'll live with it as it is.

As to the O'three folding thing, my suit is a ND membrane, so i could fold it so the zip is on a flat bit quite easily. I store it hung up, so it woulldn't really be a problem then. The suit is a lot less 'stiff' than an O'three neoprene, so perhaps it would be less of an issue?

Thanks for comments so far - plenty to think about already.....

[Rob Dobson]

Originally Posted by edward

As to the O'three folding thing, my suit is a ND membrane, so i could fold it so the zip is on a flat bit quite easily. I store it hung up, so it woulldn't really be a problem then. The suit is a lot less 'stiff' than an O'three neoprene, so perhaps it would be less of an issue?

I'm sure that a membrane suit would *much* less effected so I'm confident this wouldn't be a factor for you.

Based on the the other factors you've presented I'd say a zip was looking like a good option.

[edward]

Cheers Rob. I really must put down all the facts in the first post, would be a lot easier for everyone Thanks for the help

[vid]

Originally Posted by edward

my suit is a ND membrane,

and then you need to decide whether to have the p-zip positioned horizontally or vertically

i've had mine fitted by ND and hydrotech (both membrane and neoprene ND suits)

most important thing is to be wearing the suit when you decide where the zip goes - to ensure it's at the right angle/height

vid

[Wacker]

Originally Posted by vid

and then you need to decide whether to have the p-zip positioned horizontally or vertically

I have never seen them fitted vertically

[vid]

Originally Posted by Wacker

I have never seen them fitted vertically

I have one on my neoprene suit (and I'm not the only one) - just have to make sure that it's placed "adequately"

better than "horizontal", as the design/construction/sizing of the suit would have meant a horizontal zip would need to be "too high" against your crutch area

vid

[Houseplant]

A pee zip would make my life complete, however, Oceanic were asking £115 for the job, so it'll have to wait.