Q&A: Do Adults Wear Diapers on Flights?

 

While such a thing is impossible to know for sure, it would make a lot of sense.  Long or international flights can create many hurdles to emptying the bladder in a timely manner, which I'll get into in a second.  Personally, I think this is one scenario where even non-peelovers and fully continent adults SHOULD consider padding up.

So you just boarded your flight after an hour and a half in the airport Starbucks, guzzling caffeinated drinks.  You have to pee but not too urgently.  As soon as you're in the air, the FASTEN SEATBELT sign starts glowing and the pilot announces there will be turbulence soon.  Great.  In addition, you're in a window seat and your neighbors aren't exactly slender--moving is hard for them.  But your nerves are shot (you hate flying!) so you order a mixed drink when the attendant comes around and asks for your order.  Surely the bathrooms will open up before long?  You gulp down your drink & immediately feel better.  And then worse, because your bladder is now screaming for relief.  You've been in the air 45 minutes and are only sure of 1 thing:  you can't make it until you reach your destination.  You start to stand up and have your neighbors move, but the flight attendant comes around & informs you that you can't get up right now even for an emergency.  After another 20 minutes the light dings off.  A line forms at both bathrooms.  Fuck it.  You're screwed.

Such a scenario is disturbingly common on commercial flights.  And the thing is, it's entirely predictable!  Between the alcohol and caffeine served at airports, the in-flight drinks, long bathroom lines & turbulence signs, even a bladder of steel could end up losing control.  The only logical, sane solution is to wear a diaper.  It doesn't even need to be a thick taped one either.  Pull Ups and medical diapers are great options.  Combine these with black polyester pants, a long trenchcoat-style jacket or another stealthy option and it won't matter if they do leak.  Sure beats flooding your pants and having to sit in a puddle the whole flight.

Don't end up like this lady...

The only issue is that diapers will show up in the TSA scanners, which could get you pulled aside for a pat-down and questioning.  But is that really worse than wetting yourself on a tightly-packed flight?  Of course not.  (It may be possible to skip the scanner and opt for just a pat down if you say you're concerned about radiation.  I know I've done this before and it was fine).  When you consider there are penalties like this for peeing in your seat, you might change your tune about this issue. 

And here's where I'll insert a little reminder that adult diapers are not just for the elderly, disabled or incontinent.  They're for whatever you need them for, whether that's night-time urination, a job that doesn't allow bathroom breaks or long flights/car rides.  They exist in a variety of sizes, thicknesses & styles and are made for EVERYONE.  It's not healthy to hold your bladder to the point of pain & losing control involuntarily, so it would behoove everyone to get over their diaper phobia and start viewing them like pads or tampons are viewed:  as HYGIENE products intended to keep your clothes & surroundings dry.  Not a punchline or something to be ashamed of.  In fact, it's nobody's business what kind of underwear you sport. 

....or this dude. 

So try on a couple brands while you're at home with nothing to do and pick the one that is most comfy/absorbent.  If you're uncomfortable buying them in person, stores like Wal-Mart & Amazon deliver and ship.  I promise the airlines would prefer everyone wore diapers instead of pissing in their seats & aisles.  In no universe is whipping it out and peeing in your seat preferable to wearing an adult diaper.  Sometimes those are the only 2 options you have.


Other in-flight tips to help prevent urinary accidents:

- Limit alcohol and caffeine in the hours leading up to the flight.  Both are diuretics that increase urinary frequency/urgency.  If you have flight anxiety, try Valerian root or a prescription anxiety medication.

- Use the airport bathroom before taking off!  High altitudes increase the amount of urine a person puts out, so avoid that right off the bat by emptying your bladder pre-flight.  

- Arrive early or on time so you have time to use the bathroom.

- Hydrate well before your flight.  While it seems counterintuitive, hydration is even more important at high altitudes to prevent dehydration, which increased urination can contribute to.  As long as you empty your bladder before boarding, this shouldn't cause any major issues.  

- Try a product like an oxybutynin patch, especially if you have any form of incontinence (OAB, urge, stress, etc).  These are safe for most people but can cause dizziness if left on too long, so remove as your flight is landing.  

- Stop drinking water or other fluids within 30 minutes of your flight.  As long as you're hydrated & make sure to drink plenty when you land, you should be fine and this will reduce urinary frequency.

So while I haven't answered your question about how many adults wear diapers on flights, hopefully this post explains why it's a good idea to consider it.  Even if you don't end up using it, you'll be a lot calmer and more relaxed knowing you're not gonna wet yourself & cause a scene.  I can almost guarantee some pilots & flight attendants wear them and you're none the wiser.