Drysuit Diving: P Valves

P-valves are super important for drysuit divers. Here are the basics of use.
Learn more and sign up for dive training at my website: barefootbentley.com
Scuba diving has significant risks. The information provided in this video is supplemental educational material and does not offer a complete educational experience for any dive activity. Scuba diving requires in-person training. Specialty and advanced areas of diving require specialty dive training, equipment, and experience. Always check with manufacturer recommendations before using or customizing equipment. Talk to a certified and qualified dive instructor for more information.

[@DiveVibe]

Great video, that trimming clip cracked me up.

[@BarefootBentley]

I made the whole thing just to feature that clip.

[@DiveAtlantic]

Recent instructor here. This conversation came up at length during a lesson we had on teaching drysuits. It is a conversation that is not had often enough, even during drysuit training courses. Until I got trained as an instructor, I didn’t know how to properly clean the valve and found out about the UTIs people have gotten with permanent psychological symptoms as a result of it, even if it’s only like a 3-hour surface interval without cleaning the suit. People are hesitant to give you advice on how to use it because it can be an uncomfortable topic, particularly for training people of the opposite sex. The she-pee requires shaving and a powder prep the night before. The other option is an adult diaper and forgoing the valve all-together. I have liked the Rochester pop-on condoms since I started to use a p-valve. Definitely shave, and make sure to be careful with your placement. Too far down, you can poke yourself with the barb and too far back, and the adhesive can seal itself as you mentioned. Backflow is a horrible feeling. For cleaning I use a mixture of vinegar and isopropanol, same as ear beer for freshwater diving. Great video and I’m happy to see that people are talking about it more!

[@adamfairman6642]

Great video and super informative

[@BarefootBentley]

Thanks!

[@devindawdy4084]

New diver looking for answers and you delivered bro. Definitely gonna add me a pee valve in my future drysuit.

[@willlombard]

I'm a new dry suit diver and have a question about running the hose from the condom to the pee valve. I'm wearing multiple layers; base, and insulated. These layers don't have fly or zipper openings. Have you had to cut holes to route the plumbing through this setup? If so, where would you recommend making those holes. Thanks for the video, very informative.

[@BarefootBentley]

If your undies don't have holes you'll have to make them. Mid thigh is the typical spot and then run the plumbing up from there. Some people prefer a direct connection (cut the plumbing short enough to meet the cath on your thigh) while other route the plumbing in a big loop and their cath up on their body. However you do it, make sure to reduce the chance of hose kinking - that's bad.

[@nrvdiver2747]

Ha! I was LITERALLY just now with one of my students discussing drysuits and peeing 😆

[@BarefootBentley]

"Talkin' Urine with Chuk"

[@nrvdiver2747]

@@BarefootBentley 🤣 not the first time! I always had a general idea about drysuits and how to "go", and I was explaining what I knew to a student of mine when I got the KZbin notification. I learned quite a bit, too! Thank you, sir!

[@BlakePierantoni]

I once saw a qualified technician install a p-valve in a parking lot.

[@BarefootBentley]

🤣

[@billyleungkt]

What brand of balanced p-valve do you recommend? Thks

[@BarefootBentley]

Dive Rite or Light Monkey for p-valves.

[@AndrewR74]

I have the sitek ( pretty sure) had no problems in 5 years

[@jonnieinbangkok]

Well that takes of half the issue...what do you do for the back end 💩

[@marksmantidwell]

Wine cork

[@jonnieinbangkok]

@@marksmantidwell 😆