Comfortableness of air urination device for pilots

DIAO Zekun; YU Lihua; SHANG Dianbo; GAO Ruyang; DENG Lue; GUO Hua

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2097-1753.2023.05.006

Abstract：Objective To investigate the comfortableness of an air urinary device via a questionnaire in order to provide data for related research and design.Methods A survey was conducted among 23 pilots of high performance fighter aircraft by means of a self-developed"feedback questionnaire on the use of a urinary device"before the data on the utility of and problems with this urinary device was statistically analyzed.Results Among the 23 pilots,19(82.6%)reported discomfort within 1 h of use of the urination device.They agreed that a urinary device had to be used in as short as 2 h.Pilots used to urinate into bottles(52.17%),hold urine(52.17%),and wear diapers(21.74%).The main reasons for failure to urinate with a urination device were personal urinary habits(56.52%)and discomfort or pressure of the device(56.52%).A total of 11 pilots(47.83%)were"strongly dissatisfied"or"mildly dissatisfied"with the currently-used urinary device,and 15 pilots(65.22%)said that the device was"merely acceptable"or"acceptable".The pilots recommended that the urinary device be improved in terms of materials,speed of urination and user-friendliness.Conclusion This questionnaire has shed light on how high-performance fighter pilots feel when using the air urination device.The comfortableness of this urinary device needs to be improved.