I bought a bright Yellow Sea Quest BC in 1979 when I was first certified so I could explore the underwater caves in Ginny Springs Florida … that was on sweet BC and it lasted me for 25 years until the large screw that held the inflater hose dried out and cracked…😢😢😭😭😭…
repairing a bladder is feasible if you take caution to clean toroughly the patch area and to test it at the pressure where the overpressure valve opens so you know that that condition should never happens in a normal dive, If it resist that torture test and holds the air pressure for a long time say 12 -24 hours, most likely that it resists the future service. Another problem I encountered on old BCD's is that the flanges that are bonded to the bladder loses the bond and the attached device, ( filling hose / dump valve, overpressure valve etc...), happily, it exists mechanical assembled flanges that can be used to do a permanent repair that is as good or superior to the original design. I believe that the torture test is mandatory when such an equipment is repaired or modified to be sure that the equipment will hold in the worst use conditions. very good topic
Hi Alec I am glad you did the due diligence at the end I would say that this would be a reasonable option if you can identify the cause like a puncture or external damage point but if it failed on its own then that should only be done on a vintage piece to keep it semi fictional. Safety first especially on something you need to get back to the surface. Just my thoughts take care Owen m
I bought a new BPW and used it for several dives. One of the DMs let me know I had a leak so when I got home I found a tiny tear in the bladder. I had barely used it so I suspected that it was from the manufacturing process and got past the QC guys. It was a bit of a hassle but I was able to get it replaced under warranty. It is interesting however that the warranties on many of these products are not stem to stern coverage, they often will limit wear items to a shorter term than parts that are more ruggedly built. On the subject of your spare tire patch comments. I believe that the ever increasing automation of society people have lost general awareness of mechanical properties of machinery and thus mechanical abilities to affect repairs on many items. thanks for the tips.
Appreciate reading about your experience with a leak. I noticed long ago people can't fix anything themselves (correctly anyway). My hope is this channel teaches divers they can do some things themselves but other must be left to pro's. Thanks for watching and more to come. A
Hi Alec, I've got a tiny hole in my Nemrod horse collar with an attached inflator tank. It doesn't have a bladder just a rubber membrane on the inside of the nylon. I'm going to push and pull it untill the hole is lined up with one of the ports and patch it from the inside with a self adhesive bike tire patch lol Double hose forever. Kay
The price to repair it almost the cost of a new one. I don't like repairing an SMB as if i need it, it's really bad, so a few dollars is worth it to me. Remember to test it on the first dive of any trip to ensure it fills up tight. A
On the new BCDs (past 10-15 years), you could imagine tire sealant through an un-screwable port could fix a leak very similar to PVC inflatables. The issue is the odor from the tire sealant...
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Makes sense. My tire sealant on my PVC boat has actually never re-leaked after 3+ years, but you wouldn't know if BCD could spring a new leak. But you'd be in same situation as when the first leak occurred.
Yet another reason to get a backplate and wing. I don't know if this is typical, but my wing has a zipper where you can remove the bladder so you can fix/replace it. And, if that is not possible, then ill get another wing without replacing the entire system. My sidemount system has a redundant bladder if the primary one fails.
Most new wings are bag & bladder designed for easy replacement, not like the example shown. Today's BCD jackets and wings are so well made, I have not heard of a leak in many years. A
Hi Alec I am glad you did the due diligence at the end I would say that this would be a reasonable option if you can identify the cause like a puncture or external damage point but if it failed on its own then that should only be done on a vintage piece to keep it semi fictional. Safety first especially on something you need to get back to the surface. Just my thoughts take care Owen m
A "Double-Bagger"?! I was on the floor laughing for five minutes! Thanks for the Yuk, Alec!!
Glad someone got my excellent joke. You're the first to comment on my joke. Glad you like my 5 year old humour.
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Love the XDEEP design with the bladder inside; wasn't even aware most modern ones were not like that.
Me too. Back in the stone age everything had to be repairable. No store or manufacturers around.
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I bought a bright Yellow Sea Quest BC in 1979 when I was first certified so I could explore the underwater caves in Ginny Springs Florida … that was on sweet BC and it lasted me for 25 years until the large screw that held the inflater hose dried out and cracked…😢😢😭😭😭…
I used a Sea Quest for many years too. Lasted many years with careful cleaning but eventually went pop!
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repairing a bladder is feasible if you take caution to clean toroughly the patch area and to test it at the pressure where the overpressure valve opens so you know that that condition should never happens in a normal dive, If it resist that torture test and holds the air pressure for a long time say 12 -24 hours, most likely that it resists the future service.
Another problem I encountered on old BCD's is that the flanges that are bonded to the bladder loses the bond and the attached device, ( filling hose / dump valve, overpressure valve etc...), happily, it exists mechanical assembled flanges that can be used to do a permanent repair that is as good or superior to the original design.
I believe that the torture test is mandatory when such an equipment is repaired or modified to be sure that the equipment will hold in the worst use conditions.
very good topic
Thanks for watching and sharing more tips.
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thanks Alex- using both types A/B on my diving gear (so far counterlungs and SMB) as well inflatables of my kids.
It's good as a temporary patch but thing about a replacement for the kids toys.
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Hi Alec I am glad you did the due diligence at the end I would say that this would be a reasonable option if you can identify the cause like a puncture or external damage point but if it failed on its own then that should only be done on a vintage piece to keep it semi fictional. Safety first especially on something you need to get back to the surface. Just my thoughts take care Owen m
Glad you agree Owen.
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I bought a new BPW and used it for several dives. One of the DMs let me know I had a leak so when I got home I found a tiny tear in the bladder. I had barely used it so I suspected that it was from the manufacturing process and got past the QC guys. It was a bit of a hassle but I was able to get it replaced under warranty. It is interesting however that the warranties on many of these products are not stem to stern coverage, they often will limit wear items to a shorter term than parts that are more ruggedly built. On the subject of your spare tire patch comments. I believe that the ever increasing automation of society people have lost general awareness of mechanical properties of machinery and thus mechanical abilities to affect repairs on many items. thanks for the tips.
Appreciate reading about your experience with a leak. I noticed long ago people can't fix anything themselves (correctly anyway). My hope is this channel teaches divers they can do some things themselves but other must be left to pro's. Thanks for watching and more to come.
A
Hi Alec, I've got a tiny hole in my Nemrod horse collar with an attached inflator tank. It doesn't have a bladder just a rubber membrane on the inside of the nylon. I'm going to push and pull it untill the hole is lined up with one of the ports and patch it from the inside with a self adhesive bike tire patch lol
Double hose forever.
Kay
Hope it works. Test it in a deep pool before diving to ensure it's safe. Double hose forever.
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Alec can u do a episode on the history of triple tanks they are a part of diving past and present. Thank u looking forward to next video.
That's an idea. Have to ask my vintage buddies for a triple set to demo.
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Thanks Alec, great tips. Haven't been diving long enough to have a bcd leak but good to know can patch a small puncture if needed.
Glad to help!
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Thank you so much for all the knowledge you share with us!!! I really appreciate it !!! Do you have any tips on smb repairs?
The price to repair it almost the cost of a new one. I don't like repairing an SMB as if i need it, it's really bad, so a few dollars is worth it to me. Remember to test it on the first dive of any trip to ensure it fills up tight.
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@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Thank you so much Mr Peirce!!
On the new BCDs (past 10-15 years), you could imagine tire sealant through an un-screwable port could fix a leak very similar to PVC inflatables. The issue is the odor from the tire sealant...
To fix a flat tire, sure but to keep me safe at 90' without failing, not for me.
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@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Makes sense. My tire sealant on my PVC boat has actually never re-leaked after 3+ years, but you wouldn't know if BCD could spring a new leak. But you'd be in same situation as when the first leak occurred.
Funny, I own an old vintage Seaquest explorer BCD, I used it yesterday and is still leak free. The BCD is so simple, not adjustable, and very light.
Some vintage gear will outlast the diver if cared for properly. Well done.
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Hi Alec great tip😀 My Scubapro BCD has a hole in it due to a mouse living in my scuba shed. Im going to do a you tube video on the repair😀
Cool 👍 Is it OK with the mouse?
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@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Mouse is fine😀
Such good information.
Glad you liked it.
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Car tires are repaired all the time as long as they are within the tread pattern.
True but cars don't need air to dive and return to the surface safely.
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A mouse put a small hole in my bc is there anything I can do to fix it
Replace it. The hole is likely to big to safely patch.
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@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter it’s only the size of a pencil. But you probably right . Thanks
Sir can you explain ""how to enter water in our BCD""
I will add it to my future ideas list, thanks.
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👍😎enjoy again
Thanks again!
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How about a cat used it for a scratching post?
Ha that’s not in the service manual but a replacement is your best solution.
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yes i have BCD patched
Some do and know the risks, other don't. Stay safe my friend.
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@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter old school diver: no bcd, no depth gauge, proper weights and air reserve!
Yet another reason to get a backplate and wing. I don't know if this is typical, but my wing has a zipper where you can remove the bladder so you can fix/replace it. And, if that is not possible, then ill get another wing without replacing the entire system. My sidemount system has a redundant bladder if the primary one fails.
Most new wings are bag & bladder designed for easy replacement, not like the example shown. Today's BCD jackets and wings are so well made, I have not heard of a leak in many years.
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I have an newest BCD with integrated bladder. Can that be repaired?
Afraid not. Their one piece construction means any hole is a safety risk and no repair will be a good/strong as the original.
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Hi Alec I am glad you did the due diligence at the end I would say that this would be a reasonable option if you can identify the cause like a puncture or external damage point but if it failed on its own then that should only be done on a vintage piece to keep it semi fictional. Safety first especially on something you need to get back to the surface. Just my thoughts take care Owen m
Hey no fair copying comments again Owen.
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