Every diver has been there. You’re 15 metres down, the reef is spectacular, and your bladder has picked this moment to demand attention. The question every new diver whispers to their instructor is: can I pee in my wetsuit?
The short answer is yes. Almost every diver does it, and it is far more common than anyone admits on the boat. Here is how to deal with it properly.
Why do divers need to pee so much underwater?
It isn’t your imagination. Diving makes you need the toilet more, thanks to a process called immersion diuresis. Water pressure on your body pushes blood towards your core, and your body responds by producing more urine. Add cool water, a pre-dive coffee and a bottle of water on the boat ride, and it’s no surprise the urge arrives mid-dive.
Is it OK to pee in your wetsuit?
Yes. It’s harmless, and it’s standard practice among recreational and professional divers alike. Wetsuits are designed to let a thin layer of water circulate against your skin, so any pee is diluted and flushed away quickly. Nobody on the boat needs to know, and nobody will smell it underwater.
The one exception is a drysuit. If you dive dry, you need a plan first, because peeing in a drysuit is a very different experience. Most drysuit divers use a P-valve system or specialist undergarments, and it’s worth learning about these during your SSI drysuit training.
What to do if you have to pee in your wetsuit during a dive
1. Stay calm and stay at your depth.
A full bladder is uncomfortable, but it is never an emergency. Never bolt for the surface. Rapid ascents create real risks, and they are a far bigger problem than a bit of wetsuit warmth.
2. Keep your buoyancy under control.
Good buoyancy is your priority. Hover neutrally, or settle just above the sand or a clear patch of reef, away from coral. Stay focused on your position, breathing and depth rather than on the sensation.
3. Relax and let go.
This is the hard part for many people. Tension makes it harder, so take a few slow, deep breaths, relax your pelvic muscles and let it happen. It may take a moment.
4. Flush your suit.
Once you’re done, pull the neck of your wetsuit open slightly and let fresh water flow through. A gentle movement of your arms or a small stretch is usually enough to circulate water and clear the suit.
5. Tell your buddy if you need to end the dive.
If the urge is so strong you can’t concentrate, that’s a safety issue in itself. Signal your buddy, and ascend together at a normal rate with a safety stop. A distracted diver is not a safe diver.
How to avoid the urge in the first place
A little planning takes care of most situations:
- Go before you gear up. Empty your bladder at the dive centre and again just before you enter the water.
- Go easy on caffeine and fizzy drinks. Coffee is a mild diuretic, so save the second cup for after the dive.
- Stay hydrated, but sensibly. Don’t skip water to avoid needing the toilet. Dehydration is bad for you, and it’s a factor divers are taught to take seriously. Sip water steadily through the morning rather than gulping a litre right before the boat leaves.
- Stay warm. Cold water encourages your body to produce more urine, so a well-fitting wetsuit helps.
- Brief your buddy. Long dives with big surface intervals are easier to manage when you know the plan.
Wetsuit etiquette: after the dive
If you’ve peed in your wetsuit, good hygiene is simple.
- Rinse thoroughly in fresh water, inside and out, as soon as you can.
- Use a wetsuit shampoo now and then to keep it fresh.
- Hang it to dry in the shade, inside out first, then turned right side out.
- If it’s a rental, give it an especially good rinse before you hand it back. The next diver will thank you.
Regular rinsing keeps your wetsuit smelling fresh and helps it last far longer.
Frequently asked questions
Is peeing in your wetsuit safe?
Yes. Urine is essentially sterile when it leaves the body, and in a wetsuit it is diluted almost immediately.
Will it make me cold?
Warm urine may feel pleasantly toasty for a moment, but the warmth is brief. Diani’s warm water helps you stay comfortable either way.
Should I tell my instructor?
Instructors have heard it all, and most will tell you it’s completely normal. If you’re struggling with an urgent need underwater, signal your buddy or instructor and end the dive safely.
Can I pee in a rental wetsuit?
Most divers do, which is why rental suits should always be rinsed well after every dive.
Final thoughts
Needing to pee in your wetsuit during a dive is completely normal, and there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Stay calm, keep your buoyancy, flush your suit and carry on enjoying the dive. Then rinse your suit properly afterwards.
Learning to dive with a small, friendly team makes these little questions easy to ask. At Ocean Tribe, a registered SSI Diamond Instructor Training Centre in Diani Beach, our SSI instructors are happy to talk you through anything, from the practical to the slightly awkward.
Ready to get in the water? Book your dive online and enjoy $10 off when you book online.
