Genitourinary infection and barotrauma as complications of 'P-valve' use in drysuit divers

Abstract

Drysuits are commonly worn by divers undertaking long exposures in cold water. The need to urinate during such dives leads to the use of a variety of devices to conduct urine from the diver to the ambient water. The final common pathway to the water is via a suit bulkhead known as a 'P-valve'. Use of the various urinary devices and P-valve can lead to a number of complications including urogenital sepsis, pneumaturia and genital squeeze. The urinary devices in current use are described, then four clinical cases that illustrate the complications are presented. Recommendations for prevention of these complications are made.