One of the best parts about summertime is getting to go to the beach.
Whether you go with your friends or family, hanging out in the sun and water is always a blast.
When you go to the beach, though, there are a lot of things to think about. From applying sunscreen correctly, to not swimming too far out, to keeping your kids and pets safe in the sand and water, going to the beach comes with a lot of preparation work.
But there's one other big mistake a lot of us make when we go to the beach: forgetting to use the bathroom before we post up in the sand.
If you've ever realized that you have to pee a few hours into your ocean visit, you might have just gone into the water to relieve yourself — we've all done it.
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You might think it's harmless, but there's a lot you should know before peeing in the ocean.
Thumbnail Photo: Wikimedia Commons
#1: Do People Pee In The Ocean?
The answer to this question is, of course, yes.
People everywhere pee in the ocean — both kids and adults wade into the ocean's water to relieve themselves.
Chances are if you've ever been to the beach, you've probably peed in the ocean. According to a study conducted by Procter & Gamble, 62 percent of people admit to peeing at the beach. I guess there's no ocean etiquette when it comes to doing this.
It's nothing to be ashamed of, but there are some important things you should know before you do it again.
#2: Can Peeing In The Ocean Hurt The Environment?
When you think about peeing in the ocean, the last thing you probably consider is ocean pollution. Urine contains nitrates and phosphates, which can negatively impact coral — and coral reefs all over the world are suffering.
Fortunately, one person peeing in the ocean won't affect coral — the problem occurs when human waste is dumped into the ocean in large quantities, explains the American Chemical Society.
Plus, most coral reefs are considered protected, which means there will be signage telling you what you can and cannot do in that area. Before you pee in the ocean, make sure you're not in a protected area and that you consider the other causes of ocean contamination. We should all be concerned about ocean conservation.
#3: Can Peeing In The Ocean Hurt You?
Although it's unlikely, peeing in the ocean can cause urinary tract infections (UTIs).
The ocean itself isn't the problem here — the issue is hygiene. Peeing flushes bacteria out of your body, which can hang out in your wet bathing suit for hours at a time and lead to infection.
To avoid getting a UTI during your beach vacation, shower after getting out of the water and change out of your wet swimsuit as quickly as you can.
#4: Can Peeing In The Ocean Hurt Other People?
If we're being honest, we've all been there before — urgently having to pee and thinking the ocean is the most convenient spot to do it.
After relieving yourself, though, you might wonder, "Is my urine putting anyone else at risk?"
The answer to that question is generally no, peeing in the ocean probably won't hurt anyone else, but it might gross them out.
In other words, make sure you are far from fellow swimmers if you decide to let loose in the water.
#5: Does Peeing In The Ocean Attract Sharks?
You may have heard through the grapevine that peeing in the ocean will make sharks more likely to attack you. Fortunately, that's a big ole myth.
According to Business Insider, peeing in the ocean does not attract sharks.
#6: When Is It OK To Pee In The Ocean?
According to the American Chemical Society, it's normally fine to pee in the ocean.
Urine is 95 percent water and contains sodium and chloride. The ocean is around 96 percent water and has even higher concentrations of sodium and chloride.
As long as you're not in a protected area and you aren't near fellow beach-goers, go ahead and relieve yourself.
#7: What About Lakes And Pools?
No, you should not pee in lakes and pools.
Because they're smaller than oceans, urine can make up a larger percentage of the water in lakes and pools. Business Insider explains that urine can cause algae blooms in lakes, which can poison fish.
And according to the American Chemical Society, the chemicals in urine can interact negatively with the chemicals (like chlorine) that we put in pools to keep them clean. These reactions can cause respiratory issues and red, painful eyes.
#8: What About Pooping?
If you ever need to poop while you're at the beach, find a bathroom.
While peeing in the ocean is usually OK, you should never, ever poop in the water, or on the beach.
Poop can attract bugs and wild animals, not to mention it's full of harmful bacteria that can make people and ocean creatures sick.
#9: Where Should You Pee Instead?
Even though it's generally OK to pee in the ocean in a desperate situation, you should never make a habit of it.
Instead, find a bathroom. Many public beaches have restrooms that are open to the public, or Porta-Pottys that have been set up for beach-goers.
If there are no public bathrooms, try to find a store or restaurant that will let you use their restroom.
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