Question BCD advice

[scuba2025]

Howdy all, new here, but not to scuba. 25+yrs, and PADI DM.
Couple of questions for you...

1. What age to replace your BC? I've read at 10yrs, start looking. I'm now at 22yrs on mine! (borrowed time? I am meticulous with care, but it's likely time, rather than risk a 'surprise event'). What y'all think?

2. So I currently have a Genesis Phantom. It's been great and served me well. Integrated weights, lots of D-rings... it's been a solid choice. Also, good lift (I'm a bigger person and have a drysuit as well). I'm not someone that needs a 1600$ certain brand (and no offence whatsoever to those that do). I like function, practicality, reliability. Curious for your thoughts ref buying a new one, something similar to what I've described. I haven't done much shopping, but peeked at the Genesis Origin, the Aqualung Pro HD. They *seem* comparable to mine. I do prefer jacket style. Any thoughts / inputs / recces?

Much appreciated!

 

[BoltSnap]

1. https://scubapro.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/bcds/hydros-x-bcd-men



2. https://scubapro.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/bcds/glide-bcd


Either will last you a very long time. The Hydros X will last you a lifetime.

 

[Wallowa]

Howdy all, new here, but not to scuba. 25+yrs, and PADI DM.
Couple of questions for you...

1. What age to replace your BC? I've read at 10yrs, start looking. I'm now at 22yrs on mine! (borrowed time? I am meticulous with care, but it's likely time, rather than risk a 'surprise event'). What y'all think?

2. So I currently have a Genesis Phantom. It's been great and served me well. Integrated weights, lots of D-rings... it's been a solid choice. Also, good lift (I'm a bigger person and have a drysuit as well). I'm not someone that needs a 1600$ certain brand (and no offence whatsoever to those that do). I like function, practicality, reliability. Curious for your thoughts ref buying a new one, something similar to what I've described. I haven't done much shopping, but peeked at the Genesis Origin, the Aqualung Pro HD. They *seem* comparable to mine. I do prefer jacket style. Any thoughts / inputs / recces?

Much appreciated!

Always your call for what best fits your needs and wants....but....if it is not broken, don't fix it.....time limits on gear are very arbitrary and most probably driven by 'popular acclaim' or gear retailers....still functional and meeting your needs? Not deteriorated? You have it dialed in, but if something new urges you on...go for it! I am WAY past my "use by date" but still functioning fine.

 

[wlecyt40]

My take is if you are taking good care of your gear, maintaining it and making the repairs as needed, why fix what ain't broke? I plan on keeping my Rogue until I either stop diving or it finally decides it's time to go. Hopefully, not during a dive. I take care of my BCD and service it yearly. Same as my regs.

 

[bradlw]

I'm in the same situation...very rusty diver pulling my gear out planning to go this summer.

My old Zeagle BC I bought around about 1994 or 1995 when I pulled it out of the box was kaput. The inflator hose attachment to the bladder was ripped apart, It's he threaded part welded/attached to that flexible plastic bladder. I pulled the whole bladder out of the outer shell. The bladder mostly looks ok but looks like it's a bit more brittle. I'd bet that if I could figure a way to reattach that hose connection I could probably get a few more dives out of it, but that probably wouldn't be a smart thing to do.
Anyway, the rest of the BC looks ok. I dove it a lot for several years It was well cared for, and sure does look like it'll work. I have a replacement bladder assembly on order.

But's that's not my primary BC. Just before I got out of diving I had bought a backplate with very small single tank wing. Only dove it a couple times. Around about 24 years old and It still looks new and holds air. I need to inspect the inner bladder though a bit closer before I dive it...and I plan to change out the power inflator and the other seals

 

[Wallowa]

I'm in the same situation...very rusty diver pulling my gear out planning to go this summer.

My old Zeagle BC I bought around about 1994 or 1995 when I pulled it out of the box was kaput. The inflator hose attachment to the bladder was ripped apart, It's he threaded part welded/attached to that flexible plastic bladder. I pulled the whole bladder out of the outer shell. The bladder mostly looks ok but looks like it's a bit more brittle. I'd bet that if I could figure a way to reattach that hose connection I could probably get a few more dives out of it, but that probably wouldn't be a smart thing to do.
Anyway, the rest of the BC looks ok. I dove it a lot for several years It was well cared for, and sure does look like it'll work. I have a replacement bladder assembly on order.

But's that's not my primary BC. Just before I got out of diving I had bought a backplate with very small single tank wing. Only dove it a couple times. Around about 24 years old and It still looks new and holds air. I need to inspect the inner bladder though a bit closer before I dive it...and I plan to change out the power inflator and the other seals

Free advice may not be the best advice.....I said if it wasn't broken don't fix it, BUT, seriously using any dive gear that you consider life support gear that is that old and questionable....another axiom comes into play: If there is any doubt there is no doubt. Buy a new BCD/wing.

 

[happy-diver]

AliExpress has fixing things, easy on the Zeagle bladder on the left

Very fixable very safe, sometimes just like a bought one, sometimes better than a bought one