Question BCD failure

[tarponchik]

Total BCD failure is an unlikely case. Here are 2 more common types of BCD troubles you need to be ready to face:
1. BCD inflator leaks air into the BCD, pushing you to the surface. In such case disconnect the inflator hose and use your mouth to inflate. Not a big deal, I did about half of my 55 dives at Raja Ampat in 2022 using mouth inflation. Another time in Maldives I managed to clean and grease the inflator valve after one failure dive and it worked normally afterwards.
2. BCD leaks air out. This had happened to me with rental gear. The leaks were not catastrophic, just irritating. In such case there is nothing you can do underwater, just keep pumping air into it.

 

[johndiver999]

I'll mention this because it has yet to be explicitly stated. Ditching lead is something you do to stay at the surface. You should be able to swim your rig up. Once there, you can make a decision on whether you can stay there. If the conditions have gotten much worse, or you realize you are struggling while waiting for a boat or have a long swim. Think about ditching your weights. It seems a portion of the diver deaths that occur in our area, are from cardiac events and not drownings. Out of shape, inexperience and heavy gear can be exhausting on the surface. Surface swimming is much more physically taxing (and slower) than swimming on scuba. If you have BCD failure, once you are up, stay on your regulator and see if you can hand your lead off to your buddy. Struggling will lead to panic and exhaustion.

One of the tricks I was taught by padi professionals, was to ask a struggling diver to hand me their weights on the surface - then promptly drop them - when received. I never had to try that, but if there is a serious situation on the surface, I am not carrying my buddy's weight belt or weights. He can buy more later.

 

[johndiver999]

Total BCD failure is an unlikely case. Here are 2 more common types of BCD troubles you need to be ready to face:
1. BCD inflator leaks air into the BCD, pushing you to the surface. In such case disconnect the inflator hose and use your mouth to inflate. Not a big deal, I did about half of my 55 dives at Raja Ampat in 2022 using mouth inflation. Another time in Maldives I managed to clean and grease the inflator valve after one failure dive and it worked normally afterwards.
2. BCD leaks air out. This had happened to me with rental gear. The leaks were not catastrophic, just irritating. In such case there is nothing you can do underwater, just keep pumping air into it.

I've personally had at least two total BC failures and my buddy had one as well when I was diving with him. Plus I have caught broken OP pressure springs, during the post dive wash down, which is pretty much a total failure.

I agree that leaks and auto inflate are much more likely, but a diver should plan for an inoperable BC.

 

[divingdayz]

I've personally had at least two total BC failures and my buddy had one as well when I was diving with him. Plus I have caught broken OP pressure springs, during the post dive wash down, which is pretty much a total failure.

I agree that leaks and auto inflate are much more likely, but a diver should plan for an inoperable BC.

Yes, I've seen total BC failure a few times also. The failure point has always been where the LPI connect to the BC.