GOGIRL FEMALE URINARY DEVICE
TEST SERIES BY CHARI DAIGNAULT

GoGirl [image from website]

INITIAL REPORT

INITIAL REPORT - October 13, 2009

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME:	Chari Daignault
EMAIL:	chari.daignault@gmail.com
AGE:	47
LOCATION:	Orlando, Florida U.S.A.
GENDER:	F
HEIGHT:	5' 6" (1.70 m)
WEIGHT:	135 lb (61.20 kg)

I've been a light hiker for 36 years. I take the minimum I can with me and prefer a pack close to 15 pounds. I've hiked all the Florida State Forest trails in Central Florida, backpacked the Na Pali coast on the island of Kauai and climbed Mt. Fuji in Japan. I have hiked dry & sandy, rough & rocky and wet & boggy trails and as a result, have found what does and doesn't work for me in terms of equipment and clothing.

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INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: FemMed, Inc.
Year of Manufacture: 2009
Manufacturer's Website: www.go-girl.com
MSRP: US$ 6.99
Measurements:
6.5 in [165 mm] long on longest side
4.5 in [114 mm] high on funnel side
2 in [51 mm] wide on funnel side
.5 in [12.7 mm] diameter snout
Colors: Pink in Pink Tube, Pink in Camouflage Tube
Tested: Pink in Pink Tube

GoGirl Colors

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

GoGirl in Packaging

The GoGirl arrived packed in a tube, along with a brochure with GoGirl info and instructions. Inside the tube was the GoGirl, a storage bag and some biodegradable tissue.

GoGirl out of Packaging

The GoGirl is made of medical-grade silicone, which is not biodegradable. However, because the device can be reused hundreds or thousands of times [per the manufacturer], it is considered Earth Friendly. The device was designed with women in mind and the many appalling places in which we're forced to pee -- usually sitting down or by attempting the dreaded "hovering" technique. Per the manufacturer, the GoGirl device will allow me [a person of the female variety] to discreetly and hygienically pee while standing up.

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

Per the instructions, to use the GoGirl I would adjust my clothing and press GoGirl against my body to form a seal. Then, just aim and urinate. It sounds easier than it is imagined. And my imagination was at full steam.

There is a correct way and an incorrect way to hold the GoGirl while using it. To correctly hold it, I was to use my thumb and middle finger to gently hold the top [thumb] and bottom [middle finger] of the device. Manhandling it is a no-no [no pun intended].

How to Hold [images from website]

After use, the manufacturer states that I can just shake the excess moisture off the device and it will dry quickly. Urine is sterile, so contamination from contact is not an issue. The device can be stored in the bag provided, rolled up and crammed back in the tube in which it came. The tube appears small enough that it shouldn't be too hard to stow in a backpack, purse or a lumbar pack. The manufacturer states the GoGirl funnel can be cleaned simply using soap and water for repeated uses.

TRYING IT OUT

Per the instructions, it was suggested I try it out first in the shower. I completely agreed with that logic, as -- speaking for myself -- I have no experience with peeing standing up and was not exactly sure about the logistics. Being able to stand and pee naked without the added distraction of clothing sounded like a great idea.

GoGirl in Hand

In the shower, my first try with the GoGirl was what I would call a definite success! Placing the device against my body was actually very intuitive. I don't recommend over-thinking its placement. Once in place, the device caught all the urine and it shot out the end. I found that I could aim it easily and the urine fell well away from my legs and feet.

Snout

Along with the surreal, gender-bending aspect, the GoGirl was easy, clean and strangely fun to use. I am looking forward to actual practical application of the device and my only concern is what to do with my pants when using it. I'm [once again] over-thinking the logistics of using it while wearing clothing. Since it appears I truly only need one hand to use the device, I'm sure my free hand can take care of holding my pants up from the ground.

SUMMARY

I'm really excited about taking the GoGirl out into the wilderness and benefiting from not having to hunker down behind a bush, leaving my behind exposed and risking peeing on my feet. I am also looking forward to having the GoGirl available for those times when a port-a-potty and a nasty public restroom are indistinguishable.

This concludes my Initial Report. Please check back in approximately two months for my Field Report. Many thanks to FemMed, Inc and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity for me to test peeing while standing up!

This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1.5 Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.