How long does a BCD, ABLJ last in your experience.

[Tassie_Rohan]

I'm curious how long the inner ?polyurethane air bladders of many BC's will last?

Does this material degrade over time, even if stored away from UV?

The air bladder of my Oxycheq wing is ~20 years old: it's discolored but appears otherwise fine and flexible - hopefully it has another 20 years to go?

Personally - I like faded, scuffed and tattered dive gear: It shows that the owner dives a lot. Maybe there's a market for new dive gear that has been treated to look like it's gone through 1000's of dives?

Cheers,
Rohan

 

[Diver-6873]

My Dive Rite XT is almost 8yo with ~1500+ dives. Zero issues other than the weight pockets which needed replacement.

 

[Bookmon]

My first BC, a true early 1980 jacket style. Kept good maintenance: rinsed bladder.... used it a lot being in the Navy. Finally in mid 90s, baggage Monkeys destroyed it. Got a cheap, Mr. Duck- my first cummerbund style- from a dive mag. Only lasted a few years. Around 2000, bought a Biojac. Only kept it a short time before giving it to a friend. Not for me. The one I got next, kept for 24 years. But, got sick. Lost a lot of weight..... Just got a new MARES handicap BC with push buttons. I'm 68. Should last me my lifetime.
With good maintenance, a well made BC from a reputable company should last a good while.

 

[ChangeAgent]

Thanks for chipping in, my wife's jacket is from 2009, and yes I look after them well, rinsing etc. after all I used to service diving equipment commercially (still do for myself) so I know what looking after does to the functioning of it.

 

[LFMarm]

I am 600h into my Stealth Tec — I replaced the K valve twice, everything else looks good thanks to periodically using 303 Aerospace Protectant. I think the webbing will be the first thing to go but I am likely only half way through.

 

[randini]

I still have my US Divers Alcyone that I bought in 1996. I haven't used it in about 8 years since I switched to a BPW, but it should still work. It did last time I pressurized it a few years ago. It probably has at least 1500 dives on it and all I ever replaced was the power inflator. I did patch a pinhole leak in the bladder with Aquaaseal in like '97 that seems to still be holding.