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How to use Wag Bags

This article was printed in the January, 2008 issue

Using Wag Bags - Steve Morrell, Editor of Southwinds Magazine, (941) 795-8704, editor@southwindsmagazine.com

In the October 2007 issue, we printed an article on using Wag Bags as a method of disposing of human waste onboard boats. This article can be viewed on our Web site, www.southwindsmagazine.com, by downloading the October 2007 issue and going to page 36, or, for those who do not have broadband-or want quicker access to the article-you can read the article on the "Our Waterways" page accessed from the home page.

When I first received the Wag Bags, I tested them in my home. I took all the water out of a toilet and put the wag bag in the toilet. The bags are quite large and there is plenty of room to put the bag in there and overlap it over the sides. I then used the bags for three days for #1 and #2. (For those of you who do not understand this number system, #2 is generally more solid and #1 is always liquid, often called urine or "piss" or "pee.") For urination, the bags work well and the powder (Pooh Powder, as it is officially called) in the bags solidifies/gels the urine pretty well, even with a fair amount of liquid. I had some extra powder, so I helped it along after several pisses. This is important with three days of pissing.

For #2, it was pushing it after the first time with that smell we are all so familiar with (it comes with life). I sprinkled some extra powder over it, but I couldn't tell that it reduced the smell, so I dropped the top down over the toilet. That contained it pretty well, but I did close the door to the bathroom-encasing the smell in the room. When I returned, there was enough of a smell that I knew I must choose a different tactic. So I lifted the seat up and took the Wag Bag and lightly closed it in on itself. This worked in containing the smell and, of course, I opened it up every time I used it again. (Don't try this in the dark, because it could be a disaster if you forget, like in the middle of the night.)

After three days and three #2s and several pisses, I decided that was more than enough, so I removed the bag from the toilet and put it in the sealable bag that comes with the kit and is part of the Wag Bag system. I took this and put it on the garage floor next to the trash can to test and see if the smell would be noticeable after one day. I really could not smell it being in the room, but when I picked it up and put the nose nearby, there was a slight undesirable odor. At that point, it went into the trash can.

I believe we are the only boating magazine promoting Wag Bags and selling them for marine use. At the Strictly Sail St. Pete boat show, we sold out the few I ordered on the first day (the slowest day!), as it appears people were real interested after reading the article in the October issue. Since then, I have sold another 50 out of the magazine ad and intend to keep promoting them. (I am not making it rich off these Wag Bags, but I am promoting them as part of Southwinds' ongoing effort of educating the world population on various subjects.)

There is a lot to learn about the use of Wag Bags on boats, and I am asking those who have bought them-and others who might have used them-to let us know what they learned about using them. We can then pass this information on to others in future issues. At this point, I believe they can be a valuable tool in dealing with human waste on boats. For those who have LectraSans, they are the answer when you go to places that do not allow any dumping of any waste (even treated), as in the Florida Keys. They can also be used in an emergency if you are anchored out and find, by surprise, that your holding tank is full. Wag Bags can be kept on board just for such an emergency. They can also be useful if you just plain can't stand holding tanks, which could be the majority of the population.

I did meet one couple at the boat show who, I will say, were around 70 years old, give or take a few years (since they might be reading this, I think this is a good respectable guess in honor of them), who had been using Wag Bags for several years. They used them all the time, especially when they had their children and grandchildren on board on a short cruise. They were very satisfied with using them as a solution to onboard human waste. They stored the used bags in a container in a compartment under the V-berth of their boat where they slept. They said they never had any problem with the smell in that location, which is important, as storage of the used bags is an important concern.

Please let us know of your experiences with Wag Bags via e-mail to editor@southwindsmagazine.com, if possible, and if not, then call at (941) 795-8704. We will print your ideas and suggestions and what you have learned in future articles to exchange ideas on their use. You can also order them at those same contacts ($30 for 10, plus shipping and applicable sales tax, or available for pickup in Bradenton, FL).

Don't worry, we will not print your name if you prefer us not to, as I know that for some-this is a very delicate subject-and we want the good along with the bad, including all the embarrassing facts and bad experiences, as well, which in the name of science, we will not refrain from printing.