Material of BC bladders ?

[Externet]

Hi.
The bladder inside buoyancy compensators are of different material by manufacturer, or a standard ? Is it silicone rubber or other ?
What does age do to them ? Are leaks/tears repairable ? Are they considered a 'life support' item ?

 

[dmaziuk]

Unknown, other, depends, depends, depends.

 

[cool_hardware52]

Nearly all scuba inflatable use urethane films in some form, either straight films, i.e. all urethane, or as laminates, i.e. a very thin urethane film glued with an adhesive to a textile.

Each has pros and cons. All age, repair ability varies.

Urethane is used because it can be rf welded (heat sealed) offers good resistance to water, it fairly tough, and weathers reasonably well.

The definition of "life support" varies from diver to diver.

For a Properly ballasted diver a BC should not, IMO, be "Life support"

Tobin