Catheter question

[303SAM]

I've always been a ziplock man myself but the recent thread got me
considering catheters.

My ship has a fitting for connecting a catheter. The fitting is connected
to a tube that ends at the trailing edge of one of the gear doors. The
fitting has a rubber O-ring and looks like another fitting on the tube
leading from the condom-like part of the catheter should just snap onto it.

I went Googling male external catheters and found pic of most of the parts
(condom thing, leg bag, valve btwn condom & leg bag), but no descriptions or
images of the connectors. Given my ships layout, there's no place to put
the leg bag that wouldn't be uphill. Any words of wisdom from catheter
users? Are they all made w/quick connects to the bags? Should I just buy a
box of the condoms and the bag and use the tubing to re-plumb the ship?

[01-- Zero One]

Probably have the receptacle from Tim Mara.
http://www.wingsandwheels.com/page42.htm

Bottom of page.. Those are the ones I use. The "male" end, as you
suspected just snaps in to the receptacle you have. The tip of the
catheter is just the right size to be a stretch fit over the barbed end
of the male fitting.



They are made by Colder Products.
http://www.colder.com/asp_main/MedicalProducts.asp PLC Series about
halfway down the page.



Mcmaster-Carr also carries them under the heading "Quick Disconnect Tube
Couplings"



But go ahead and get just get them from Tim. Let's support our soaring
supplies dealers!



Larry -- zero one -





"303SAM" > wrote in message
:

> I've always been a ziplock man myself but the recent thread got me
> considering catheters.
>
> My ship has a fitting for connecting a catheter. The fitting is connected
> to a tube that ends at the trailing edge of one of the gear doors. The
> fitting has a rubber O-ring and looks like another fitting on the tube
> leading from the condom-like part of the catheter should just snap onto it.
>
> I went Googling male external catheters and found pic of most of the parts
> (condom thing, leg bag, valve btwn condom & leg bag), but no descriptions or
> images of the connectors. Given my ships layout, there's no place to put
> the leg bag that wouldn't be uphill. Any words of wisdom from catheter
> users? Are they all made w/quick connects to the bags? Should I just buy a
> box of the condoms and the bag and use the tubing to re-plumb the ship?

[Go]

One thing to watch out for is where the urine goes once it is outside
the aircraft as it is very corrosive to metal parts. During my annual
yesterday we found some unusual corrosion on the aileron bellcrank
mount. All other controls are in great shape. There is a drain hole in
the fusilage just aft of the gear doors and the drain tube termination.
I am speculating that some of the urine 'mist' may be getting inside
the fusilage and causing the corrosion. The mount is directly aft of
this drain hole and of course inside the fusilage.

I have also heard from other pilots of corrosion in the wheel and brake
areas due to this problem.

Of course you can prevent or remedy this problem. I am going to plug
the drain hole and the wheel problem could be remedied with regular
cleaning. The point is that you need to beware of where on your
aircraft the urinne may be depositied and take care of it.

I really think a catheter is the way to go because you need to nothing
else but think about it and it is done! But I am now thinking I may
have the tube go into a baggie filled with an absorbant material
instead of releasing the urine under the glider.

[ContestID67]

A few comments;

1) The combination of a catheter and urine bag is the way to go (no pun
intended) in my book. When you need to go, there is no thinking about
it or fiddling with anything. Well...maybe some thinking

2) The bag has a one way valve at the inlet side and a twist lock drain
at the outlet end. It guarantees whatever has flowed into the bag,
will remain in the bag.

3) I often have the urine bag uphill from the "point of effluence".
Every cathether based system has this "issue" to a certain extent.
But, because the whole thing is sealed, this has never been an issue
with me. With a bag, after landing I can stand up and drain the whole
shooting match end-to-end. If you are embarassed by an exposed bag, I
have in the past strapped the bag to my calf with the elastic straps
that are provided with every bag.

4) Between the bag and the catheter I use surgical hose. There is a
barbed connector that comes with the bag. The catheter is basically
also a hose fitting. Therefore you need a male-to-male barbed
connector (jeez, that sounds nasty) to make the final connection.

5) I never went with the external relief tubing as my glider is
standard certified and I was worried about any modification.

6) My first effort to get myself equipped was at a medical supply
store. After spending some time explaining why a pilot would need
something that is generally relegated to geriatric wards, the clerk was
able to help me with all my initial needs, connectors, bags, etc.

7) Stick with Mentor brand Clear Advantage with Aloe. Get ahold of
some Detachol if you are worried about the seperation of you from the
catheter.

Give it a try, you can always go back to your current method. Good
luck.

[Bert Willing]

Far too complicated.

I use bio-degradable plastic bags. Pee into and pop out of the window.

"ContestID67" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>A few comments;
>
> 1) The combination of a catheter and urine bag is the way to go (no pun
> intended) in my book. When you need to go, there is no thinking about
> it or fiddling with anything. Well...maybe some thinking
>
> 2) The bag has a one way valve at the inlet side and a twist lock drain
> at the outlet end. It guarantees whatever has flowed into the bag,
> will remain in the bag.
>
> 3) I often have the urine bag uphill from the "point of effluence".
> Every cathether based system has this "issue" to a certain extent.
> But, because the whole thing is sealed, this has never been an issue
> with me. With a bag, after landing I can stand up and drain the whole
> shooting match end-to-end. If you are embarassed by an exposed bag, I
> have in the past strapped the bag to my calf with the elastic straps
> that are provided with every bag.
>
> 4) Between the bag and the catheter I use surgical hose. There is a
> barbed connector that comes with the bag. The catheter is basically
> also a hose fitting. Therefore you need a male-to-male barbed
> connector (jeez, that sounds nasty) to make the final connection.
>
> 5) I never went with the external relief tubing as my glider is
> standard certified and I was worried about any modification.
>
> 6) My first effort to get myself equipped was at a medical supply
> store. After spending some time explaining why a pilot would need
> something that is generally relegated to geriatric wards, the clerk was
> able to help me with all my initial needs, connectors, bags, etc.
>
> 7) Stick with Mentor brand Clear Advantage with Aloe. Get ahold of
> some Detachol if you are worried about the seperation of you from the
> catheter.
>
> Give it a try, you can always go back to your current method. Good
> luck.
>

[Maule Driver]

I'll second that regarding corrosion. Cost me a gear rebuild and later,
after repositioning the exit to the bottom of the gear door, I believe
that some was being drawn into the rudder hinge area (LS-6) but can't
confirm that.

The catheter and bag works. The seal on self-sealing cathers works fine
and keeps it a closed system. No flow back even if the bag is on the
same level. I found the area under my calf worked great for the bag.
My calf never touched it.

I was always a bit to big in the small cockpits to figure out how a
ziplock is used but it clearly works fine for many pilots in many ships
(until they **#$%^ spill one).

I suggest keeping the bag until landing. My first experiments with
tossing bags failed in multiple ways. 'Nuff said there.

1980s experience from Foureyes.

Go wrote:
> One thing to watch out for is where the urine goes once it is outside
> the aircraft as it is very corrosive to metal parts. During my annual
> yesterday we found some unusual corrosion on the aileron bellcrank
> mount. All other controls are in great shape. There is a drain hole in
> the fusilage just aft of the gear doors and the drain tube termination.
> I am speculating that some of the urine 'mist' may be getting inside
> the fusilage and causing the corrosion. The mount is directly aft of
> this drain hole and of course inside the fusilage.
>
> I have also heard from other pilots of corrosion in the wheel and brake
> areas due to this problem.
>
> Of course you can prevent or remedy this problem. I am going to plug
> the drain hole and the wheel problem could be remedied with regular
> cleaning. The point is that you need to beware of where on your
> aircraft the urinne may be depositied and take care of it.
>
> I really think a catheter is the way to go because you need to nothing
> else but think about it and it is done! But I am now thinking I may
> have the tube go into a baggie filled with an absorbant material
> instead of releasing the urine under the glider.
>

[Robert Hart]

Maule Driver wrote:
> I'll second that regarding corrosion. Cost me a gear rebuild and later,
> after repositioning the exit to the bottom of the gear door, I believe
> that some was being drawn into the rudder hinge area (LS-6) but can't
> confirm that.

Careful thought needs to be made in terms of positioning the exit - it
needs to be in a low pressure area and positioned so that it doesn't
then risk contaminating corrodible parts.

Our Nimbus 2c has the exit in centre of the lower starboard quadrant of
the cockpit 'bulge', just aft of the widest point (i.e. low pressure
area). The only potential metal in that flow is the tail wheel assembly.
Not only have we not had any problems there, there is no trace of dried
urine on the skin of the aircraft.

Whilst I have used bags in other aircraft when cross country
instructing, having a plumbed in system makes for much more comfortable
flying.

As for catheters, I (and no pilot I know of here in Aus) uses the
adhesive tape that comes with the external catheters (known locally and
rather politically incorrectly as 'Irish condoms'). They seal perfectly
when rolled far enough down the penis.

The only problems I have experienced in removing them have revolved
around rolling pubic hair into them during the removal. I have decided
that a judicious shave is the answer to that problem!

--
Robert Hart
+61 (0)438 385 533 http://www.hart.wattle.id.au

[ContestID67]

You must be 1) more coordinated that I am and 2) larger that I am.

I simply cannot get my "equipment" exposed and aimed into a bag, while
flying, and while lying prone.

This may sound complicated but it really isn't. Flying safely is
complicated.

[Maule Driver]

Regarding 'low pressure' area. My six had been rather crudely modified
by the previous owner with a waste tube that exited in front of the gear
door area. Whether or not that particular spot was low pressure or not
didn't seem to matter. My personal plumbing in those years had positive
pressure at the source. The problem was that the gear well, despite
sealing, was a low pressure area and was sucking corrosive urine up into
the entire gear mechanism.

Obviously an exit anywhere in front of the gear well would be ill
advised on that ship.

After a rebuild, we mounted the tube on the bottom of a gear door so I
could open the gear when needed and extend the discharge point 5 inches
or so away from the fuse. Did the aerodynamics work for that?
Probably. That was about as much engineering as I was willing to do to
facilitate a pee.

If 'ol Foureyes cycled his gear while above you in the gaggle, you
weren't one of his favorites.

Robert Hart wrote:
> Maule Driver wrote:
>
>> I'll second that regarding corrosion. Cost me a gear rebuild and
>> later, after repositioning the exit to the bottom of the gear door, I
>> believe that some was being drawn into the rudder hinge area (LS-6)
>> but can't confirm that.
>
>
> Careful thought needs to be made in terms of positioning the exit - it
> needs to be in a low pressure area and positioned so that it doesn't
> then risk contaminating corrodible parts.
>
> Our Nimbus 2c has the exit in centre of the lower starboard quadrant of
> the cockpit 'bulge', just aft of the widest point (i.e. low pressure
> area). The only potential metal in that flow is the tail wheel assembly.
> Not only have we not had any problems there, there is no trace of dried
> urine on the skin of the aircraft.
>
> Whilst I have used bags in other aircraft when cross country
> instructing, having a plumbed in system makes for much more comfortable
> flying.
>
> As for catheters, I (and no pilot I know of here in Aus) uses the
> adhesive tape that comes with the external catheters (known locally and
> rather politically incorrectly as 'Irish condoms'). They seal perfectly
> when rolled far enough down the penis.
>
> The only problems I have experienced in removing them have revolved
> around rolling pubic hair into them during the removal. I have decided
> that a judicious shave is the answer to that problem!
>

[Robert Hart]

ContestID67 wrote:
> You must be 1) more coordinated that I am and 2) larger that I am.
>
> I simply cannot get my "equipment" exposed and aimed into a bag, while
> flying, and while lying prone.

Ah - perhaps I should have elaborated...

I have used 'plumbed' pee bags. This means I wear an external catheter
which is attached to the 'deflated' pee bag by a tube. It is essential
to connect this up the right way as the valves on the pee bag are 'non
return' and so if connected backwards you end up with a balooning
catheter (quickly followed by a wet parachute)!!!

--
Robert Hart
+61 (0)438 385 533 http://www.hart.wattle.id.au

[Stefan]

Bert Willing wrote:

> I use bio-degradable plastic bags.

Can you point me to a source? Thanks.

Stefan

[Paul Remde]

Hi,

I guess this is just a personal opinion, but I really despise the idea of
tossing any kind of bag full of pee out of a glider - regardless of whether
or not it is bio-degradable.

I don't imagine that the bag would make it to the ground full of pee, but if
it did it could be dangerous.

But my main concern is the littering. Here we are in a silent, elegant and
graceful sailplane, getting close to nature as sailors do, and we through
garbage out the window to mess up the beautiful world we see out our window?
That just doesn't make sense to me.

For those reasons I highly recommend using a condom catheter and collection
bag that you keep in the glider and dispose of upon landing. Or route the
tube out the bottom of the glider - no pee will reach the ground.

OK. I'm off my soapbox.

Good Soaring,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com

"Stefan" > wrote in message
...
> Bert Willing wrote:
>
>> I use bio-degradable plastic bags.
>
> Can you point me to a source? Thanks.
>
> Stefan

[Ray Roberts]

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

[Greg Arnold]

I agree with Paul.


Paul Remde wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I guess this is just a personal opinion, but I really despise the idea of
> tossing any kind of bag full of pee out of a glider - regardless of whether
> or not it is bio-degradable.
>
> I don't imagine that the bag would make it to the ground full of pee, but if
> it did it could be dangerous.
>
> But my main concern is the littering. Here we are in a silent, elegant and
> graceful sailplane, getting close to nature as sailors do, and we through
> garbage out the window to mess up the beautiful world we see out our window?
> That just doesn't make sense to me.
>
> For those reasons I highly recommend using a condom catheter and collection
> bag that you keep in the glider and dispose of upon landing. Or route the
> tube out the bottom of the glider - no pee will reach the ground.
>
> OK. I'm off my soapbox.
>
> Good Soaring,
>
> Paul Remde
> Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
> http://www.cumulus-soaring.com

[[email protected]]

I agree with Paul. I use a catheter system that goes into a Camelback
liner that fits nicely into a slot I cut into my glider's seat pan. One
of the many tricks I learned from Dave Nelson.

Paul Remde wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I guess this is just a personal opinion, but I really despise the idea of
> tossing any kind of bag full of pee out of a glider - regardless of whether
> or not it is bio-degradable.
>
> I don't imagine that the bag would make it to the ground full of pee, but if
> it did it could be dangerous.
>
> But my main concern is the littering. Here we are in a silent, elegant and
> graceful sailplane, getting close to nature as sailors do, and we through
> garbage out the window to mess up the beautiful world we see out our window?
> That just doesn't make sense to me.
>
> For those reasons I highly recommend using a condom catheter and collection
> bag that you keep in the glider and dispose of upon landing. Or route the
> tube out the bottom of the glider - no pee will reach the ground.
>
> OK. I'm off my soapbox.
>
> Good Soaring,
>
> Paul Remde
> Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
> http://www.cumulus-soaring.com
>
> "Stefan" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Bert Willing wrote:
> >
> >> I use bio-degradable plastic bags.
> >
> > Can you point me to a source? Thanks.
> >
> > Stefan

[5Z]

Ray Roberts wrote:
> Several people have commented that successfully peeing into a bag from a
> semi-prone position is at best difficult.

I use the "travel John" available from Sporty's
(http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&did=19&product_id=300) and
other places. Less than $2 each. I make sure to take at least 3 per
flight as I have never (yet) needed more than that :)

The molded top makes a good funnel. I lift my butt just a little and
slide tha bag underneat and let go. Once done, the contents is gelled
and won't spill. I just shove it forward along my leg. Take a look at
the cover shot on the July 2003 Soaring mag
(http://ssa.org/test/Covers/Cover200307_large.jpg) for an example of
storage :)

-Tom

[An Empty Pocket]

"5Z" > escribió en el mensaje
ups.com...
> Take a look at
> the cover shot on the July 2003 Soaring mag
> (http://ssa.org/test/Covers/Cover200307_large.jpg) for an example of
> storage :)
>

Nice mountains, where was the picture taken?

[Bert Willing]

In Switzerland: Coop and Migros, garden stuff ("Kompostierbeutel"). They
come in rolls of 10, 5 liters each. 5 liters is a lot, but I just don't
care.

"Stefan" > wrote in message
...
> Bert Willing wrote:
>
>> I use bio-degradable plastic bags.
>
> Can you point me to a source? Thanks.
>
> Stefan

[Bert Willing]

Well, I then hope that you don't use one of these gas wasting SUV's for your
ride to the airfield, but take your bike...

"Paul Remde" > wrote in message
news:0YJ8g.725372$084.305390@attbi_s22...
> Hi,
>
> I guess this is just a personal opinion, but I really despise the idea of
> tossing any kind of bag full of pee out of a glider - regardless of
> whether or not it is bio-degradable.
>
> I don't imagine that the bag would make it to the ground full of pee, but
> if it did it could be dangerous.
>
> But my main concern is the littering. Here we are in a silent, elegant
> and graceful sailplane, getting close to nature as sailors do, and we
> through garbage out the window to mess up the beautiful world we see out
> our window? That just doesn't make sense to me.
>
> For those reasons I highly recommend using a condom catheter and
> collection bag that you keep in the glider and dispose of upon landing. Or
> route the tube out the bottom of the glider - no pee will reach the
> ground.
>
> OK. I'm off my soapbox.
>
> Good Soaring,
>
> Paul Remde
> Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
> http://www.cumulus-soaring.com
>
> "Stefan" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Bert Willing wrote:
>>
>>> I use bio-degradable plastic bags.
>>
>> Can you point me to a source? Thanks.
>>
>> Stefan
>
>