DryBuddy2 - FAQ

The following is excerpted from https://bed-wettingalarms.com/about-bedwetting-alarms-understanding-and-using/

How a Bedwetting Alarm Works:

All bedwetting alarms work on a simple principal. If an electrical insulator such as air or dry briefs separates two electrical conductors having a small voltage across them, this results in an electrical open circuit. So no current will flow between the conductors to any electric circuit to which they are attached. When the insulator (briefs) gets wet, electricity flows more easily between the two conductors, and this triggers the sensor to create the alert. Urine contains electrolytes (salts) which makes it a better conductor of electricity than plain water. Better alarms will distinguish between water and urine (or salt water). Better alarms can also distinguish between a “rush” or quick increase of urine as opposed to a slow increase in wetness as may be caused by perspiration. Always remember that if the urine does not reach the activating part of the sensor, the alarm cannot “know” that it should alert.

This should explain why the alarm can only respond when urine reaches the activating part of the sensor, which is the gap between the 2 magnetic pads on our magnetic sensor. When using regular cotton briefs, the wetness must reach the sensing area of the sensor quickly. With the DryBuddy wetness sensing briefs, the wetness must reach anywhere between two adjacent wires. As these wires extend over a large part of the briefs, the sensing area is much larger than with regular briefs and wetness gets sensed much more readily.

Because we have built in perspiration resistance in our system, the system will not respond to a gradual increase in wetness as is caused by perspiration. The wetness must come “in a rush.” This should explain why the system may not respond if your child discharges urine away from the sensor, and the discharge is small enough so that it does not percolate quickly through the material of the briefs. Also, if there is any wetness in the briefs when the sensor is attached, the sensor can sense a sudden increase of wetness from nothing to something and get triggered.

Both use a similarly functioning true wireless magnetic sensor that can be used with standard cotton briefs or with DryBuddy wetness sensing briefs. Both can produce very loud alarm sounds and have volume controls.

The DryBuddy 2 (or DryBuddy 1) is designed for use inside a home or outside as it uses batteries to power its receiver which should be carried by the user, typically in a pocket. When alarm privacy is required, the DryBuddy 2 or DryBuddy 1 has a softer vibration which the user can feel through a pant pocket, like a cell phone.  It is a "personal" alarm which is much more convenient than any "wired" alarm. When alarm privacy is not required, the DryBuddy receiver can produce loud musical sounds and strong vibrations, louder and stronger than any battery-powered wired or wireless alarm that we have measured. The DryBuddy 2's 72 feet maximum range makes it an excellent choice for use in a home. For mobile use, the DryBuddy 2 is the most convenient and sophisticated bedwetting alarm available anywhere.

The DryBuddyFLEX is designed to be used inside a home or building where AC power is available. The transceiver, which contains the receiver and alarm, must be connected to an AC power source. The wireless range of the DryBuddyFLEX is much greater, and its alarms are louder. The DryBuddyFLEX 3 can be used for silent monitoring by switching the sound off and/or using a remote alarm location. The DryBuddyFLEX provides the convenience of a wireless remote. If alarms are needed at more than one location, or multiple alarms are needed anywhere, the DryBuddyFLEX will allow this. Auxiliary alarms such as a bed-shaker can be attached and used. For use inside a home or building, the DryBuddyFLEX is the most sophisticated and convenient-to-use bedwetting alarm available anywhere.

In order for any sensor to work, the wetness must reach the sensor. With the magnetic sensor, this area is where the two magnets come together. For many patients and normal circumstances this is fine.

The wetness sensing briefs are particularly useful if the wetness may be in a small quantity and may occur in different locations. For example, the point at which urine is released in a male can depend on how the patient is lying. This could result in the urine not coming out where the magnetic sensor is attached to the briefs. So if the patient only releases a small quantity of urine, the large and wide sensing area on the briefs will sense this wetness readily. Some patients may find the briefs more comfortable to wear.

Underwear made of good moisture-absorbing cotton is best. Cotton briefs (for males) and standard cotton briefs/panties (for females) work best, because they allow the sensor to remain close to the patient's body. The DryBuddyFLEX magnetic wireless sensor can be attached to any clothing such as underwear or pajama pants that allow the sensor to be attached near the point of urination. The material must be moisture absorbent, such as cotton. Although loose clothing such as boxers or pajamas are usable, it can take longer for the urine to reach the sensor, which results in more urination and delays the alarm.

Remember that urine must wet the cloth material between the two magnets on the sensor or between the two ends of the clip, to cause the alarm to sound. And it must do so quickly (in a "rush"). Seeping slowly through the cloth can be interpreted as wetness caused by perspiration and be ignored. So the closer the sensor or briefs and sensor are to the point of urination, the sooner the alarms will be turned on. Loose-fitting underwear or clothing can result in inconsistent triggering of the sensor and alarm.

The DryBuddy wetness sensing briefs overcome these problems and are recommended so as to provide a very large area on which urine can fall, compared to the small area for the DryBuddy magnetic sensor or any other sensor which must be wet to activate the sensor. A little urine on the wetness sensing briefs is very likely to trigger the sensor.

For male briefs with a “pocket,” place the sensor inside the pocket with the magnets facing the skin. For all briefs or other clothing, the magnetic “cap” is placed on the inner side of the briefs, and clamps the magnetic sensor to the briefs using magnetic force.

For DryBuddy wetness sensing briefs, the sensor is attached at the waist-band using snaps.

If you decide to use some form of diaper (for example, Pull-ups) to hold in excess fluid, please do not attempt to attach the sensor to the diaper. The area between the two magnets must get wet, which they won't if attached to pull-ups. We recommend attaching the sensor to regular cotton briefs or DryBuddy wetness sensing briefs, and then wearing pull-ups over them. This way the sensor gets wet and the alarm should sound.

The DryBuddy magnetic sensors will work best when used with firm-fitting underwear. The perspiration resistance designed into DryBuddy sensors can result in the sensor not responding to slow moisture seepage in the material of the briefs. Positioning the sensor where the urine is discharged is important. Firm-fitting underwear allows the discharged urine to fall on or get to the sensor faster than may happen with loose-fitting underwear. We recommend not using boxers, pajama pants or any other type of loose-fitting wear to which the sensor may be attached. A firm fit is when the attached sensor makes contact with the body, and does not sag or stay away from the body. To keep the fit firm, another set of firm briefs or diaper-like devices can be worn over the briefs with the attached sensor. Please understand that urine must reach the sensor quickly in order to get consistent triggering of the sensor.

Please note that almost all bedwetting alarms have a sensor that activates on a small area where the sensor is attached and which must get wet to trigger the sensor. Almost all bedwetting alarms will trigger with wetness creeping through the briefs as they are not perspiration resistant and will respond to perspiration and other false wetness. Such triggers are often late as the wetness has to seep through the cloth of the briefs. If you have issues with a male patient who is not releasing urine near the sensor, please consider using the optional DryBuddy wetness sensing briefs which will work with the DryBuddy2, DryBuddy1 or DryBuddyFLEX. These unique and patented briefs have a very large wetness sensing area which will consistently sense the urine, regardless of the direction of its emission, and sense it immediately.

No. Diapers are too thick for the magnetic force between the magnets in the sensor and cap to hold the sensor firmly to the diapers. When you want to use diapers, we recommend attaching the sensor the regular briefs or the DryBuddy wetness sensing briefs, and then wearing the diaper over the sensor attached to the worn briefs.

Some customers have cut a slit in the padding of the diaper near the point of urination and inserted the sensor into this slit with the magnets pointing inwards. This has worked for them, but you will have to try and evaluate this approach for yourselves.

The wireless transmission frequency of the DryBuddy wireless system is 433 MHz.

From Gizmodo.com at https://gizmodo.com/here-are-the-true-radiation-dangers-in-your-environment-1723239205

“Stuff that can damage biological tissues or DNA directly is called ionizing radiation. This includes high-energy electromagnetic waves — gamma rays, x-rays, and the higher part of the UV spectrum — and energetic particles produced by radioactive decay.”

The FCC presents “Frequently asked questions about the safety of radio frequency (RF) and microwave emissions from transmitters and facilities regulated by the FCC” at

https://www.fcc.gov/engineering-technology/electromagnetic-compatibility-division/radio-frequency-safety/faq/rf-safety#Q2

from which we quote [Ionizing radiation] “requires interaction with high levels of electromagnetic energy.  Those types of electromagnetic radiation with enough energy to ionize biological material include X-radiation and gamma radiation…The energy levels associated with RF and microwave radiation, on the other hand, are not great enough to cause the ionization of atoms and molecules, and RF energy is, therefore, is a type of non-ionizing radiation.”

The FCC regulates all radio transmission devices to ensure that they will not harm human tissue and DNA during use. All DryBuddy wireless devices are tested by an independent FCC certified laboratory and the results are submitted to the FCC. Our products meet and surpass all FCC requirements and are so certified by the FCC. The frequency of transmission of the DryBuddyFLEX system is 433 MHz. Transmission power is a small fraction of the power transmitted by a cellular phone. Wireless transmission time is also a small fraction of one second and only occurs once at the time the sensor is triggered by wetness. Radio frequencies and constant radiation power even up to what is used in WiFi at home and elsewhere does not harm tissue or DNA. The DryBuddyFLEX is certified by the FCC to not be harmful.

The FCC and FDA-CDRH are responsible for the safety of all medical devices including this one. Anybody can contact the FCC or FDA to verify what we are saying above, which is also accepted scientific fact.

Take a measuring tape and measure around the waist at the navel or "belly button."

When DryBuddy designed the patented wetness sensing briefs, we used Hanes and Fruit-of-the-Loom so as to have commonly accepted sizes.

This can happen with any sensor. A possible deterrent is to use Pull-Ups or diapers over the briefs to which the sensor is attached. This can prevent accidentally detaching or displacing any sensor. It can also help absorb any excess urine at the time of the "accident." Another pair of briefs or pajama pants can also be used, but will not absorb extra urine.

We recommend that the patient wear Pull-Ups or diapers to "protect" the sensor and keep the sensor from having substantial pressure placed on it by the body moving across the mattress. Many parents like to use Pull-Ups or diapers over the briefs and clip to absorb excess urine and not allow other clothing and bedclothes from getting soaked. The alarm will still wake the patient when he wets, but the sensor is "protected" and will not have undue stress placed on it. And, of course, everything on the outside stays dry. It is the alarm sounding when the patient wets that helps condition the patient to recognize signs of a full bladder. So the outer protective briefs will not hinder the learning process.

An outer pair of briefs over the sensor can also help protect the sensor from getting "rubbed or knocked" off. Pajama pants will also help. But they will not provide the urine absorption and protection of the Pull-Ups or diapers.

The DryBuddy1 or DryBuddy2 generates 93 dB at a distance of 20 centimeters (8 inches) from the ear, 89 dB at 40 centimeters (16 inches), and 86 dB at 60 centimeters (2 feet). Audiologists recommend that sustained sounds louder than 85 dB could harm a child's or person’s hearing. The volume can be adjusted using the built-in volume control. Your child may be one who does not wake up to this sound and needs additional stimulus or action by the parent or caregiver.

Please keep in mind that parental or caregiver involvement with the child is essential to help the child overcome bed wetting. This is particularly true when the alarm is first being used, as the child is not yet accustomed to hearing it. We recommend that a caregiver go to the child immediately upon the alarm sounding, and make certain that the child is awake, and help with the child's voiding of urine, and the cleanup and other procedures that may require to be done. As the child gets more accustomed to the alarm and sensing bladder pressure, the child may handle matters more adequately on his/her own. But prompt parental checking and involvement is essential to help in the child being responsive to the alarm.

Remember that a bedwetting alarm is intended to alarm when wetness reaches its sensor. If wetness does not reach the sensor, the device will not alarm. The alarm is NOT responsible for waking the child or patient or making the patient get up, go to the toilet, clean up, and perform other activities. Children often do not want to get up and will ignore the alarm.

The parent or caregiver must be responsible for making certain that the child or patient is responsive when the alarm sounds, and wakes up and does the needful.

A possibility, and one that has been encountered before on many occasions, is that the child does not wish to be woken up by the alarm, and intentionally turns it off. This situation is one that the parent(s) will have to deal with.

A user suggested her successful method for motivating her child to stop turning the alarm off. "What worked with my son (who is 7) was a bit of stick along with all the carrots. I told him that if he wetted at night and I found that he had switched the alarm off, he would be doing some of the yucky work of cleaning his mess. This was enough motivation for him to stop turning it off."

Often, there is a psychological component to bedwetting. This could be due to low self esteem on the child’s part, or convincing himself that he has a problem that cannot be solved. Sometimes, negative parental or peer pressure can add to this feeling of helplessness. With proper encouragement from parents, and a positive “can do” attitude on the child’s part, using the DryBuddy 2 or DryBuddy 1 system can help relieve this psychological pressure on the child, and aid in stopping the bed wetting. When your child has been dry for several days, you may discuss with your child about whether he would like to try a night without DryBuddy. If he has adequate self-confidence, he may agree to this. Assure him that if he does have an accident, both you as the parent, and DryBuddy 2 or DryBuddy 1 are there to help him again with attempting to get dry and stay dry. You may have to go through a few iterations till your child is comfortable and confident about not using DryBuddy 2 or DryBuddy 1 and remaining dry at night.

Refer to the instructions provided with the DryBuddy1 or DryBuddy2 system or on our site at DryBuddy.com. See Panels B2 – B3.

The DryBuddy1 or DryBuddy2 is intended to accompany the user. When outside the home and desiring privacy, the most convenient location may be a clothing pocket where the vibrations of the receiver can be felt. At home, where privacy is not important, carrying it allows sound and/or strong vibration to work. When sleeping, placing the receiver besides the pillow or on a bed-side table is very convenient. It is also very comfortable that the receiver does not have to be attached to the user’s body or clothes.

The DryBuddy 2 sensor's signals have a free air transmission distance of up to 72 feet 22 meters, while the DryBuddy 1 has a range of 7 feet or 2 meters. Depending upon the materials in the direct wireless transmission path from the sensor to the receiver, it may be less. Please remember that the receiver also contains the audible alarm intended for the patient. It is therefore advisable to place it as close to the patient as possible. The sensor's signal should be clearly received by the receiver. We would recommend that the receiver not be “hidden” by a metal cabinet or other such furniture which could absorb radio waves.

DryBuddy1 or DryBuddy2 is a urine-wetness alarm which sends a wireless signal to its receiver which turns on the built-in alarm. The time of the day, or condition/age of the patient does not affect its working. The only thing to keep in mind is that the patient must be within wireless receiving distance of the receiver being used (up to 7 feet). The DryBuddy1 or DryBuddy2 is designed to be a portable, mobile system, and should work well for your child.

 This is just a brief explanation to say that DryBuddy should work for your child, as long as he/she does not get too far from your house and within wireless reception range of a transceiver.

To simulate actual use, a very mild solution of saline was prepared, adding one-quarter teaspoon of common salt to two cups of water. A single drop of this solution was dropped on typical cotton cloth, which left a wet spot approximately one inch in diameter. When both electrodes (magnets) of the sensor were placed on this wet spot, the alarm sounded. Likewise, if a drop of this salt water solution was dropped on the wetness sensing briefs so that the wetness would spread to two adjacent wires in the briefs, the alarm would sound. Please remember that the DryBuddy1 or DryBuddy2 is designed to not respond to gradual increases in wetness as may be caused by perspiration. So a gradual spread of wetness from a drop where it is deposited to the sensor may be too slow to cause an alert.

First you must set up the receiver with the built-in alarm, and verify that the alarm will sound when thereceiver's test switch is depressed. Then turn the receiver ON and into its ready state. You can perform a “dry” test of the sensor by placing a clean key or other convenient electricity conducting material across the two magnets on the sensor, thereby "shorting" them. Or you can immerse the two magnets of the sensor into salt water in a cup. The alarm should then sound. If it does not, then you probably have to re-synchronize the system with the sensor, remote and transceiver(s).

Please note that the DryBuddy1 or DryBuddy2 sensor has a two (2) minutes delay built into it to conserve the battery. This means that when the sensor is triggered (turned ON) it cannot be turned ON again until at least two minutes have passed. This allows the user to clean and dry the sensor and prepare it for use again, without constantly triggering the sensor and wasting the battery.

All true wireless systems where the sensor/transmitter gets wet, must have a sealed battery. In order to preserve the life of the battery, the transmitter cannot keep on sending a “wet” alarm signal as it can drain the battery. After having designed and sold such alarms since 2010, a suitable compromise is to have the transmitter switch itself off for a limited time after the alarm signal is transmitted. This allows the user to disconnect the sensor and wash and dry it before the sensor again becomes responsive to wetness. This keeps it from wasting its battery. We understand that this creates a short delay when testing or using, but have found customers to be understanding and tolerant of this.

Urine contains certain electrolyte salts which results in urine being a better conductor of electricity than water. The sensor will not reliably detect water. If you want to conduct a "wet" test, add some common salt (sodium chloride) to some water, and use this salty solution for your test. An easy way to check the sensor is to simply immerse the sensor's magnets into the salty water, and the alarms should sound.

If the alarm sounds immediately when the sensor is attached to briefs, the briefs are wet where the sensor is attached. The system is designed to be responsive to a quick increase in wetness. So if there is no wetness (the dry sensor not attached to anything) and then there is a quick increase even to a little wetness (the sensor being attached to briefs that may have even a little wetness in them) the system sees a big jump in wetness from nothing to something and gets triggered.  If the briefs are truly dry, they will not trigger the sensor when it is attached. Unless there is wetness across the sensing gap in the sensor, the sensor cannot be triggered. This wetness can be introduced when wearing the briefs, for example having wet hands or having some wetness in the groin area which the briefs absorb quickly.

If the sensor is defective so that it triggers when there is no wetness across the sensing gap, the sensor’s battery would be depleted within three to four days, as the sensor would get triggered every two minutes. The sensor would then stop working. If the sensor is triggering, this indicates that the sensor is working.

In the case of the DryBuddy briefs, as with the magnetic pads on the sensor, the wetness must come “in a rush.” These briefs, and the sensor, are very sensitive to even a little urine “suddenly” being sensed. We, and our many users, have found that if the briefs are truly dry, attaching the sensor does not trigger the alarm. However if, when putting on the briefs, any moisture is placed on them (for example hands that are not fully dry, or a drop of urine or wetness is on or around the penis or crotch), when the sensor is attached the sensor sees a sudden increase in wetness and activates the alarm.

You can test the dryness of the briefs by attaching the sensor to them. If they are truly dry, the alarm will not get triggered. We would suggest doing this while the dry briefs are on a dry table and not being worn. If the sensor is not triggered, then the briefs are dry, and leaving the sensor attached to the dry briefs should not trigger the alarm indefinitely, unless some moisture is introduced.

If the alarm is triggered and it appears that the briefs are not wet, it is very likely that some moisture has been introduced. Even a drop of moisture can trigger the sensor. The wetness sensing briefs are even more sensitive to sensing wetness than standard briefs due to the large and more sensitive wetness sensing area.

A quick way to check whether the briefs are wet is to disconnect the sensor from the briefs, and then reattach the sensor at the same spot where it is being triggered. After the two minutes built-in pause, the sensor will trigger if the briefs are wet.

This same test can be performed by not detaching the sensor. After the alarm has been turned OFF to silence the alarm, switch it ON again after two minutes. The alarm will trigger if there is wetness on the briefs.

We recommend cleaning the DryBuddy1 or DryBuddy2 sensor by hand using hand soap. Liquid hand soap or dish-washing soap are both convenient for cleaning, as is using a soft sponge. Do NOT use any abrasive or scouring cleaning solution, pad or brush. Clean gently, without applying much pressure, so that the surface of the sensor and its magnets and snaps are not abraded, and the sensor's seal against wetness is not broken. Immediately dry the sensor with a dry towel. Also, do not use any cleanser that contains any oil or petroleum products which could place an electrically insulating film over the magnet sensors or snaps. Clean the cap too. When drying the sensor and cap, nominal trace water wetness is acceptable and should not affect the performance of the sensor, as the sensor will not turn on unless there is adequate urine on the cloth between the two magnet sensor points, or the briefs are sufficiently wet between two adjacent wires.

The wetness sensing briefs are machine washable and can also be washed by hand. When machine washed, use warm water and tumble dry on air or low heat. Do NOT use bleach or fabric softener when washing, or fabric softener when drying. Do NOT wring the briefs, or subject them to undue stress, or expose them to caustic chemicals which could damage the stitched in wiring.

Before using the DryBuddy briefs for the first time, please launder the briefs or soak them in warm water. This is intended to remove starch from the cloth, and allows the cloth to become more absorbent to water and other fluids.

The Sensor, which is completely wireless and attached to the briefs of the patient, contains a small battery. The sensor is designed so that under normal and proper use, the battery should last for more than eight hundred "triggers" (turning the sensor ON) with normal use. When the sensor’s battery is exhausted, it will be necessary to get a new sensor.

The receiver uses two (2) AAA alkaline batteries. These will need to be replaced when exhausted. Under typical and normal  use, these batteries may last as long as a month. The LED indicator on the DryBuddy receiver will indicate when the batteries are low and should be replaced.

The battery in the sensor is used or drained only when the material between the two magnets on the sensor, or between adjacent wires of the briefs, is wet. We recommend promptly cleaning and drying the sensor, at which time there will be no further battery drain. Depending on your use of the sensor, the battery could last for well over a one thousand triggers or "turn ONs". A new battery is installed in the sensor at the time of production. Please also see the General Note at the bottom of this FAQ page.

Please do NOT leave the sensor attached to wet briefs as this can cause the battery to discharge as the sensor will re-transmit periodically. Promptly remove the sensor from wet briefs, clean and dry the sensor, and re-attach to clean, dry briefs.

Cleaning and drying the sensor and cap, as recommended above in 21, should take less than one minute. Putting on fresh dry briefs also takes little time. As soon as the sensor has been dried, the sensor is immediately available for use again with the patient. Note that it will not sense wetness till the two minutes “sleep” period is over.

No. We only ship and support our products from our Savannah, GA location.

This depends on where you live. You may have to pay whatever taxes apply in your location.

In the U.S.: USPS (U.S. Postal Service) or FedEx (Federal Express).

To Nations outside the U.S.: USPS (U.S. Postal Service).

S8270 is a valid 2019 HCPCS code for Enuresis alarm, using auditory buzzer and/or vibration device or just “Enuresis alarm” for short. This is used for Medicare, Medicaid, and several other third-party payers.

S8270 has been in effect since 07/01/2005. It is often used as a CPT code for general medical insurance. Please verify this with your insurer.

We attempt to process every order within one business day of receiving the order.

Yes, but it must clear our financial institution prior to shipping your order. This can take several days.

We accept major credit cards (VISA, Master Card, Discover, and American Express) on our site at www.DryBuddy.com. PayPal and checks.are also accepted, but the order would have to be placed by telephone.

We have been in business since 2003.

DryBuddy, and its parent company, Enuresis Solutions, LLC are located in Savannah, Georgia.

Email is the best. Telephone is often time consuming. For detailed or complicated questions a telephone conversation may be necessary.

Email:Service@DryBuddy.com

Telephone: 912-352-8854

Telephone support is generally available on Business Weekdays from 9:30 a.m. till 4 p.m. Eastern Time.

When the sensor is attached to underwear that is wet with urine, the sensor will send an ON signal to the receiver, which switches the alarm ON. The alarm is turned off by pressing the OFF buttons on the receiver.

Please remember that all DryBuddy systems are designed to work with urine, and not plain water. When testing the sensor, please immerse the sensor's two magnets into salt water, and not plain or tap water.