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Old May 11th 06, 08:16 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
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Default Catheter question

Several people have commented that successfully peeing into a bag from a
semi-prone position is at best difficult.
I have a suggestion that has worked well for me, including in one ship where
the owner believed that using a baggie was impossible.
Before getting airborne, take a one-gallon zip-lok bag and cut a round hole
halfway along one side, just below the zipper.
To use the bag, open the top, insert the appropriate part of your anatomy in
the hole, tuck the lower part of the bag down between your legs, lift the
free side of the bag up in the air so nothing goes over the top, then use
one hand to hold the side of the bag that has the hole snugly against your
crotch, relax and let go.
The thicker plastic of the zipper helps to support the free side of the bag
so that it doesn't collapse even though you are not supporting it (you do
need the other hand for the stick, after all).
Do glance down from time to time to keep track of the liquid level and don't
let the tide get too high. Once the bag has some liquid, its lower portion
can often be re-positioned to increase the available volume. On my ship,
pushing my knees outwards, towards the cockpit sidewalls, also helps.
The easiest way to cut the above mentioned hole is to make two folds in the
bag just below the zipper, the first fold parallel to the zipper, the second
at 90 degrees to it, then cut a quarter circle of appropriate radius with
scissors.
Obviously the system works best if the hole is a reasonably snug fit, but
this is easily customized.

For disposal, twist the bag below the hole to seal it, and launch it firmly
downwards from the side window so that it doesn't hang up anywhere on the
sailplane. A pee bag plastered against a wing leading edge is not only
un-aerodynamic but gives pilots of nearby sailplanes way too many
opportunities for gratuitous comments. Don't ask how I know.

I too like the idea of using bio-degradable bags.

Any USA sources / brand names?
..

"Stefan" wrote in message
...
Bert Willing wrote:

I use bio-degradable plastic bags.


Can you point me to a source? Thanks.

Stefan