Sometimes, when you go on a backpacking trip, a hike or go camping, you find yourself in the situation where you really need to go to the bathroom. Unfortunately, it seems that the greater your need, the further away the toilet is. This situation leaves you no choice but to find a suitable place among those made available by Mother Nature. This article will tell you how to pee outdoors.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Finding a Place to Urinate
Step 1. Consider privacy
You may not care that someone can see you, but the "spectators" may not like to see you urinate. Try to find a bush, large tree, or boulder to hide behind. Don't go right inside a large bush, as plants often harbor insects and spiders.
Step 2. Avoid urinating in public spaces
Try to find a toilet; if you do not find it, avoid entering the men's room, as well as being disrespectful it also makes you liable for harassment. Peeing in public is often against the law and you could be fined or worse.
If you have absolutely no alternative, then look for a hidden place, behind a lot of bushes where no one can see you. For safety reasons, it is best to have a friend with you, especially at night or if you are in an unsafe area
Step 3. Choose a soft ground and not a hard one
Soft surfaces, such as grass and pine needles, absorb liquids more quickly than compact ones; in addition, "bounce" splashes are reduced.
Step 4. Evaluate the wind
If the day is very windy, remember to face your back in the direction from which the current of air is coming. This way the urine stream will move away from you.
Step 5. If possible, avoid hills
If you have to urinate on a slope, look downstream. In doing so, the urine will flow away from your body and not towards you.
Step 6. Find a location that is at least 60 meters from waterways, camping areas and trails
If you get too close to these places, you risk contaminating water sources and spreading disease.
Method 2 of 3: Pee Outdoors
Step 1. Get rid of your clothes and underwear
Not only are wet clothes uncomfortable, but skin and mucous membrane contact with moist surfaces can lead to infections. Once you've got rid of your skirt, dress, shorts, or pants, pull your panties down to mid-thigh.
- If you are wearing a skirt or dress, lift it from the hem to your waist. If these items of clothing are bulky and have a lot of fabric, curl all the material in front of you, no flaps of fabric should hang over your shoulders.
- If you are wearing shorts or long pants, first unfasten them and open the zipper. Then lower them down to mid-thigh. Don't drop them below your knees, or they'll get wet. It is worth rolling the hem to the ankles in case the pants are long.
Step 2. Squat down
Spread your feet slightly beyond the line of the shoulders and bend over. Try to keep your balance by leaning forward. This position allows you to keep the crotch area behind your underwear and pants (if you are wearing them).
- If you are having trouble keeping your balance, try placing a hand on the ground in front of you.
- With the other hand, grab the pants or shorts to keep them close to the knees. This position prevents your clothes from getting wet.
Step 3. Try sitting between two objects
Find two boulders or two tree trunks. Sit on the edge of one of them and place your feet on the other. Slide forward so that the genital area is exactly above the ground, because it absolutely must not touch the surface you are sitting on. Make sure your thighs don't touch each other either.
When you're done, get up from your makeshift toilet trying not to step on the puddle
Step 4. Use a bottle with a very wide opening
In this case you have to completely lower the pants and panties to the ankles. Kneel on the ground and place the bottle between your legs. Urine in the bottle; in the end remember to label it and do not use it for other purposes.
Step 5. Remember to always dry yourself
If you don't, infections could develop. You can use baby wet wipes, a tissue, toilet paper, or even a "rag" intended for this purpose.
- If you have decided to use wet wipes, a tissue or toilet paper, do not leave them on the floor. Once used, place them in a plastic bag and throw it in the trash as soon as possible.
- If you are using a baby wipe or other similar wet product, make sure it is alcohol-free. Excessive alcohol content kills both good and pathogenic bacteria, and you may eventually end up with a urinary tract infection.
- The "pee rag" is a tissue handkerchief or bandana. You can use it to dry yourself and then hang it in the sun to dry it. Ultraviolet rays will disinfect it. However, remember that if you are in a swampy, humid area or if the day is rainy, you need to rinse the rag often, otherwise it will start to smell.
Method 3 of 3: Using Female Urination Devices
Step 1. Consider buying female urination devices
These are small enough to fit comfortably in your handbag. Some are single use, others can be used multiple times and are available online. Some stores that sell camping and backpacking items also have these types of products. The female devices are basically funnels with the stem inclined with respect to the main opening.
They are sometimes called female cones, go-girls, or portable urination devices
Step 2. Familiarize yourself with this item a little in advance
Before taking the cone with you to an event or on a camping trip, you should practice using it while in the shower. Sometimes it takes some getting used to. The last thing you want is to find yourself full of splashes and drops on a trip, the first time you try to use the device.
Step 3. Undo your pants and lift your shirt out of the way
This type of device allows you to urinate standing up, but you still need to partially expose the genital area.
Step 4. Move the underwear to the side
Pull the edge of the leg opening near the opposite thigh; if you are wearing tight pants, you will have to pull them down a bit to succeed in this maneuver.
Step 5. Place the device on the genital area
Press the cupped end against your body. The pointed spout should be pointed towards the ground, away from your feet. Make sure the end of the tube is lower than the rest of the funnel.
Step 6. Cleanse yourself well at the end
Remember to dry yourself carefully, otherwise you could cause infections. You also need to have access to water to rinse the device. If that's not possible, put it in a plastic bag (or its original container) and wash it later.