Expected Life of BCD

[scubafanatic]

My Zeagle Ranger lasted 18 dives before self-destructing.

I went BP&W soon after that and the Ranger is now a forgotten pile on the floor.

...were you like, diving in the cooling pond at Chernobyl ?

 

[scubadude79]

...were you like, diving in the cooling pond at Chernobyl ?

Or took it into a combat zone.
Sounds like that may be a manufacturing defect unless it was really used hard.

 

[BuoyantC]

My Zeagle Ranger lasted 18 dives before self-destructing.

I went BP&W soon after that and the Ranger is now a forgotten pile on the floor.

Man I don't know what you did to destroy your Ranger, but mine has had tons of use in cold water, pool chlorine, and now salt water and tropical sun. I could probably DRIVE over it 18 times and it would be okay. And I traded for this one used! Just for the record I have a bp/wing and there is nothing made any better on it.

Back to the original question, product quality and care make a huge difference. I have seen BC's a couple years old with minimum use look like crap with velcro, zippers, and even plastic tank saddles failing. Good quality stuff (like Zeagle and some others) can last indefinitly.

 

[Sas]

I would expect at least 500 dives from what I know from others with making sure you clean it. I haven't done that many to test my own out yet though So, it will probably last more dives than most people end up doing

 

[vladimir]

Get one without velcro. The velcro will be the first thing to go.

 

[BuoyantC]

I agree there! Velcro is totally unloyal and will "mate" with anything! It will collect debris, and it does wear out.

 

[allistoy]

I have a Scuba Pro Knighthawk with about a 1000 dives mixed up with 70% salt, and 30% fresh water and pools and it's still in great shape. The cumberbum velcro is the only thing starting to really show wear and the unit is faded a lot but otherwise still a great BCD.

 

[DevonDiver]

I think the 500 dive average is about fair...given a good manufacturer.

 

[charlesml3]

My Zeagle Ranger lasted 18 dives before self-destructing.

That pretty clearly deliniates "abuse" from "use" then.

 

[AlabamaSusana]

Buddy and I both have Sea Quests with 600 dives over nearly 9 years all warm water. They have been serviced annually. Except for being faded they are both in excellent condition.