How can I detect a leak in my wing?

[Soakedlontra]

What wing do you have? Some do not use a urethane bladder. They use a ballistic nylon one. And some have no separate bladder.

Deep Sea Supply

---------- Post added December 6th, 2013 at 10:50 AM ----------

Are you sure the noise you are hearing isn't the overpressure valve releasing when you squeeze the wing? If it stays inflated, it doesn't have a significant leak.

I don't think so because when I put my hear against the valve I don't hear hardly anything, but when I move my ear to the middle bottom of the wing very clearly I hear a hissing sound. I left the wing inflated overnight and now it does look a bit soft but still it has a substantial amount of air left inside. I am wondering whether it is a good idea to keep diving with this wing or not...I was hoping to do a deep dive tomorrow.

 

[halocline]

Deep Sea Supply

---------- Post added December 6th, 2013 at 10:50 AM ----------



I don't think so because when I put my hear against the valve I don't hear hardly anything, but when I move my ear to the middle bottom of the wing very clearly I hear a hissing sound. I left the wing inflated overnight and now it does look a bit soft but still it has a substantial amount of air left inside. I am wondering whether it is a good idea to keep diving with this wing or not...I was hoping to do a deep dive tomorrow.

Nobody is going to say "sure, dive with a leaky wing" but it's up to you. Are you going to be on the surface waiting for a boat, are you going to be potentially negative enough to have trouble maintaining buoyancy without the wing, do you have back up lift like a big SMB or lift bag, or a drysuit and if so are you confident in using the drysuit to maintain buoyancy, how bad is the leak,...etc etc. Like I said, I've used wings with a very slight leak without even knowing for some dives, but in warm water, little weight, AL tanks, not really much need to inflate the wing anyway. Every situation is different.

But for sure you should send it back to Tobin to get repaired, he'll do it correctly (and quickly from what I've heard).

 

[Soakedlontra]

I submerged the bladder and...I squeezed the wing and a stream of bubbles came out and never stopped. I also "dry-squeezed" my buddy's bladder (same brand) and it was as silent as a black dead cat. I will mail the wing to Deep Sea Supply. So no diving for a while. Amen!

 

[redacted]

I submerged the bladder and...I squeezed the wing and a stream of bubbles came out and never stopped. I also "dry-squeezed" my buddy's bladder and it was as silent as a dead cat. I will mail the wing to Deep Sea Supply. So no diving for a while. Amen!

NO DIVING!!!! Where is your backup??? If you need one, then you need a backup.

 

[ams511]

I submerged the bladder and...I squeezed the wing and a stream of bubbles came out and never stopped. I also "dry-squeezed" my buddy's bladder and it was as silent as a dead cat. I will mail the wing to Deep Sea Supply. So no diving for a while. Amen!

DSS has a fast repair turnaround you will probably diving in a week, unless they botch the repair. How are bladders removed from the covering?

 

[Soakedlontra]

NO DIVING!!!! Where is your backup??? If you need one, then you need a backup.

I cannot afford a backup at the moment. Now I also sent my regulator away for service and that it is going to take longer to have it back than the wing. However once the wing is back I could "steal" by buddy's regulator...

---------- Post added December 7th, 2013 at 03:05 PM ----------

DSS has a fast repair turnaround you will probably diving in a week, unless they botch the repair. How are bladders removed from the covering?

I guess they have to undo the stitches, my wing does not have a zipper.

 

[Hank49]

I submerged the bladder and...I squeezed the wing and a stream of bubbles came out and never stopped. I also "dry-squeezed" my buddy's bladder (same brand) and it was as silent as a black dead cat. I will mail the wing to Deep Sea Supply. So no diving for a while. Amen!

Bummer. Seems like the manufacturer should/would replace it for free.

 

[cool_hardware52]

DSS has a fast repair turnaround you will probably diving in a week, unless they botch the repair.

Has DSS "botched" a repair for you? Is it our reputation to often botch repairs?

How are bladders removed from the covering?

Virtually all wings needing repair are returned regardless of whether they have a zipper or not.

Most divers don't have the necessary tools or skills to remove, install a bladder and many don't know how to test a wing, as evidenced by this very thread.

We encourage users to have the factory service leaking wings. It's not uncommon to find other faults such as broken fittings, torn corrugated hoses etc. on any wing that has suffered sufficient impact to damage a bladder. Pretty frustrating to order a new bladder, receive it, install it and then discover you also needed a "T nut" etc. We test the wing and ensure it is in good working condition before it ships. This gets most divers back in the water in shortest time possible.

We charge only for the parts required and return freight, never for installation or testing. Most repairs are turned around in a day or two.


Tobin

 

[ams511]

Has DSS "botched" a repair for you?

Yes, DSS has. That is why I asked how wings are assembled.

 

[cool_hardware52]

Yes, DSS has. That is why I asked how wings are assembled.

Really? Do tell, Perhaps you should tell us your real name so I can research the actual details. We take great pride in fast, proper repairs.

Tobin