Gear longevity

[tarponchik]

As Sidney Sheldon used to say, nothing lasts forever.

My BCD is 20 yearold and still looks solid, but I replaced the inflator twice already.
Fins? Go for solid black rubber. Plastic, especially the porous one that makes the fins float, breaks with ease.
Masks? The strap buckles are the weak spot. When the plastic ages, the lock of the strap weakens.
Regs? These are tricky. You'll find 1,001 opinion here, but my current strategy is to buy an intermediate quality set by a reliable but not overpriced maker like Cressi or XS-Scuba for about $250-300 every 5 years.
Wetsuits? Here a lot depends on your luck and how you dive. My wife's Henderson fell apart after a dozen dives, and the company replaced it w/o charge. Our Aqualungs lasted for about 10 years, but shore diving destroyed them eventually. Maybe, if we were only diving boats and liverboards they will still be good, I don't know.

 

[Boarderguy]

How about wrist and neck seals on dry suits ? I replaced mine 7 years ago and only used the suit once. It has been stored inside and all coated with talc. They are very soft and stretchy still but what is your experience on logevity ?
Thanks

User replaceable are the way to go, but that's not the case here. Latex, silicone, or neoprene? I'd get them replaced and then dive it far more often.

Oh, same question about zippers (they are well waxed and operate easily.

Seal up the suit and puff it full of air with a shop compressor or shopvac exhaust. Spray it down and look for bubbles everywhere including the zipper.

 

[covediver]

with propeer cleaning and maintenance, gear can last indefinitely. I have jet fins purchased in 1997 and regulators purchased in 1985. Most of my bc's lasted 10 to 15 years, with a good fresh water rinse after every outing. My current drysuit is going on 13 years.

 

[LFMarm]

I agree, but if you are not using gloves that often, then booties will be the first to go. If you want them to last longer, wear lycra socks. The booties then slip on and off easily. I have pulled aged booties apart trying to get them on or off my odd feet.

Indeed socks make booties easier to use and last longer. I found that rock boots last substantially longer than booties and I am now using them also for wet suit diving.

 

[waxrash]

As a relatively new diver, I am buying gear. Never mind how fancy and expensive, is there any rule of thumb for how long various things last? I assume whatever I buy will last as long as I do (I am 64 for what that is worth).

I dive in salt water, both cold locally and warm traveling. Cleaning and maintenance aside, what wears out? The goal is to buy gear that lasts 20 years or more, since I plan to keep diving for as long as possible.

What will be an issue in five years or ten years? Or longer?

Other than neoprene it has been dive computers. I think I am on. #4. Tech just keeps changing, but they are now smaller and cheaper. I am on my third BC. I am on my second generation of regulators, first lasted 3 years due to brand folding, second is 20+ years old. I am confident my regs will out live me. I am beginning to change out hoses that are over 15 yo. I am not counting my instructor gear as it turns over pretty quick due to pool use.

 

[Rubidium777]

User replaceable are the way to go, but that's not the case here. Latex, silicone, or neoprene? I'd get them replaced and then dive it far more often.

Seal up the suit and puff it full of air with a shop compressor or shopvac exhaust. Spray it down and look for bubbles everywhere including the zipper.

I put in latex and am fastidious about my work. That is a great idea to seal the neck and wrists (I am thinking of using a PCV pipe with end cap and wrap a few turns of string around the rubber to seal). Do you have any suggestions ?

 

[Boarderguy]

I put in latex and am fastidious about my work. That is a great idea to seal the neck and wrists (I am thinking of using a PCV pipe with end cap and wrap a few turns of string around the rubber to seal). Do you have any suggestions ?

Capped PVC for the wrists is a great idea, never thought of that one. No need for string of itxs a bit bigger than your wrists. I use an inverted bucket or smooth ball (basketball sized) to seal the neck.

 

[cfberry]

What wears out the fastest?

Gloves, booties and wetsuits. In that order

If properly maintained most of the rest can last for the remainder of your diving career, even if it was used when you obtained it.

good answer