Second-hand BCD: maintenance / service?

[soalle]

Hi all,

I have finally bought my first BCD. It is a Aqualung Zuma.
According to the seller, the BCD was bought 4 years ago and it was used 5-10 times.
I am wondering whether the lack of continuous use could have caused a problem or abnormal tear & wear.

As I am leaving the next week for vacations, and I don't have the time to send it for service, is there something I should watch out for to avoid surprises once I am underwater?

 

[diversteve]

Manually inflate it fully and leave it overnight (or dunk it in the tub) to see if it leaks.

If the inflator deflates and doesn't leak chances are good it will inflate when you get a tank on it.
Make sure you know how to manually disconnect the inflator hose in case it sticks open while inflating.
Try it a few times, it's a lot more exciting when you're floating towards the surface...

That model has the flat e-valves so here's some info on those: Aqualung/Seaquest flat e-valve dissassembly for pro qd i3?

 

[herman]

If it leaks, orally inflate it and do a dunk test to find the leaks. Most of the time it's a dirty or loose vent, if so, remove it and clean it out then reinstall. One thing to keep in mind, it's nice if it stays fully inflated all night but in reality if it does for several hours it's fine.

 

[Damselfish]

Sitting unused for a few years seems unlikely to be a problem, unless it was stored salty/dirty or in lousy conditions (such as an unconditioned shed with big temperature swings and rodents, or someplace like near a furnace where it might be bathed in hydrocarbons.) As described, it's pretty easy to check out a BC yourself. If I bought a used reg I would usually get it serviced, but personally I wouldn't for a BC.

 

[2airishuman]

See my post here:

Buying older used equipment

 

[TMHeimer]

Agree with all here. My BC was bought used 12 years ago and now is ancient. I have had the LPI replaced once as the old one conked out. I did have a tiny leak (in back area, which someone pointed out during a dive, or I wouldn't have known). Repaired it with AQUASEAL several years ago and it's still good. I have not yet formally brought it into the LDS for a checkup. Almost all of my dives these days are 30' or less, so I have that added safety factor.