Is it harmful to pee in a wetsuit? | Ask DAN

Divers have an adage: ‘There are two types of people — those who pee in their wetsuit and those who lie and say they don’t’. Urinating in a wetsuit is common for many recreational divers and is generally not harmful when exposure is limited. Immersion in water, especially cold water, triggers immersion diuresis, which shifts blood into the central circulation and increases urine production. Most divers feel that urge within minutes of entering the water.

Some divers choose to relieve themselves during the dive rather than hold it, especially on longer dives or in cold water. That practice can be reasonable if the diver cleans the wetsuit afterward, but it also comes with a few considerations for both the diver and the suit.

Holding urine through a full dive can be uncomfortable and can increase the risk of bladder irritation or urinary tract infection. A full bladder can also be distracting underwater when awareness and control matter most. From a comfort and safety standpoint, it is understandable that a diver would choose to empty their bladder rather than tolerate significant pressure and distraction.

Urine that remains in contact with the skin for extended periods, however, can cause skin irritation. It contains compounds that can disrupt the natural protective layer of the skin and affect the pH, possibly leading to redness, itching, or a rash if the contact continues after the dive.

The same compounds can also gradually affect neoprene if the suit is not rinsed well, and repeated exposure can shorten the wetsuit’s life. Divers who urinate in their wetsuit should promptly remove it after the dive, rinse their skin with fresh water to help reduce the likelihood of irritation, and thoroughly clean the suit.

A potential issue is the fit of your suit. Very tight wetsuits have limited space for urine to move away from the body. In some cases, a diver may start to urinate and then stop before the bladder empties completely even though the urethra remains open, which could theoretically cause urine backflow into the bladder due to pressure, increasing the risk of a urinary tract infection. A diver who notices difficulty fully emptying the bladder in a tight suit may benefit from a different fit.

Stinging organisms that may be present inside the suit from previous dives or that enter through gaps caused by improper fit may cause other issues. Urine can activate small hydroids, larvae, or jellyfish fragments and cause irritation or welts against bare skin. While this is an uncommon problem, regularly rinsing your wetsuit between dives and making sure it fits correctly helps reduce your risk.

Good wetsuit hygiene prevents odour and irritation and protects the material. Recommended practices include rinsing the inside and outside of the suit with fresh water after every dive, using wetsuit-safe cleaners when needed, and fully drying the suit before storage. Rental operations should have clear cleaning protocols to prevent cross contamination.

Got a medical question? send an email to medic@dan.org. Our team is standing by to assist you.

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