Patching a hole on a BCD

[ZombieZombie]

My wife's BCD has a small hole beside one of the dump valves. It shows as a small stream of bubbles while she is underwater but otherwise does not affect her dive. The BCD is only about 3 years old and been on about 60 dives- but it is out of warranty.

Although there has been no signs of progression in the hole size, it clearly is a safety risk knowing that a critical safety device is not in perfect order. Rather than discarding the BCD I was thinking about effecting a repair using a bicycle repair kit- and just placing a small patch of rubber over the hole area.

Are there any potential issues about making such a repair? i.e. will the rubber cement dissolve the fabric of the BCD and make the situation worse?

Or are there any other ways to fix a small hole in a BCD?

Oh- it's a Cressi Travellight- Woman's Medium.

 

[tbone1004]

might be able to remove the dump valve and get th patch on the inside and then cover it with aquaseal. Unfortunately with these types of issues on these types of BC's your only option if it doesn't work is to replace it. Next go around I'd highly recommend a modular backplate/wing type unit where they will have a much longer warranty against this type of issue and they are much easier to fix.

 

[g1138]

Depends on the size of the hole, but I've fixed a BC using only Aqua seal. Just a big goop smeared on with a toothpick, 24 hour cure, and it's held.
If you have no material to work with and need to pinch and fold to form a material seal, then you'll need a patch.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Just a dab of Aquaseal and allow it to dry.

 

[ZombieZombie]

Thanks. I will try the Aquaseal.

 

[Kharon]

No way I would trust my life to a repaired hole in a BC, particularly deep. A new one just isn't that much. I'd donate the leaky one to my LDS for demo purposes. Showing a leak in one area might mean future failures in other areas.

 

[Hickdive]

No way I would trust my life to a repaired hole in a BC, particularly deep. A new one just isn't that much. I'd donate the leaky one to my LDS for demo purposes. Showing a leak in one area might mean future failures in other areas.

Your LDS must love you!

Back to the OP. Bicycle repairs kits don't work on BCD bladders as they are normally some kind of plastic whilst inner tubes are latex. The repair kit glue doesn't stick.

Aquasure thinned with a little Cotol, Aquaseal, or Tear Aid Type B will do the job.

 

[rhwestfall]

makes you wonder how the pre-BC divers survived......

 

[dumpsterDiver]

No way I would trust my life to a repaired hole in a BC, particularly deep. A new one just isn't that much. I'd donate the leaky one to my LDS for demo purposes. Showing a leak in one area might mean future failures in other areas.

BC's can be punctured by fish spines, contact with spiney lobsters and other sharp things. A small puncture does not imply that the bladder/BC is failing or degrading etc. Not much different than a nail into a tire.

If the hole in the BC is a nuisance and leaks air slowly over several minutes, the diver can easily use the BC in that condition, but he may have to occasionally add air and may hear or see a small stream of bubbles.

Pathing a small, inconsequential hole to stop a leak is not dangerous in my book, because if the patch fails, there is still no danger.

I would not recommend others patch significant rip or tears (however if it is a torn bladder, I HAVE used a water bed repair(patch) kit with good results)

 

[Doc]

makes you wonder how the pre-BC divers survived......

In historical chronological order:

Duct Tape
Drywall Screws
Goop Brand Adhesive
Cable Ties

Haven't "replaced" any of my gear since the last century. Or millennium.