When to replace old gear?

[ScubaGui]

I know this sounds like a silly question, but I'm having a difficult time deciding what to do with my gear. It was purchased new 16 years ago and I have over 252 dives on it. The gear has been maintained well and serviced annually, but it is showing its age. I usually dive with it twice monthly through out the year (I'm a volunteer diver at a Zoo/Aquarium, so they are cold water, usually shallow, and long dives.)

Recently, I went on vacation and took my gear with me for a rare open water dive. I had a scary equipment malfunction that (luckily) occurred before getting into the water involving my integrated safe-second/inflation hose on my BC (SeaQuest, Libra). After this experience I lost faith in my gear being safe and am uncomfortable diving with it in open water.

So, my questions are: Is there an age limit on dive gear? I could replace the safe-second/inflation hose, but I'd still be using a 16 yr old BC - is that safe/wise? What about my computer (Suunto Cobra), it's working fine but it's also 16 yrs old? And then there is the first stage to consider - Apeks M.P. 9.2-9.6 bar, dry sealed system. Again, never had an issue, but now I'm paranoid. (I have an Apeks T50 reg, it's been great but it's not what it used to be, so that guy will be replaced.)

If replacement of the computer is recommended, what are your favorite options (integrated) for cold water? It looks like everyone loves their Apeks regs, so I'll stick with that brand.

Thank you for your help!

 

[Marie13]

SB’s favorite air integrated computer is something from Shearwater. But they are wrist only, no console. Perdix has a bigger screen, which is easier to see. Lot of people like the watch style of the Teric. I have the Perdix.

 

[runsongas]

the cobra and apeks regs are fine, service them if needed but no reason to replace unless if you want to get a fancier computer with color screen. replace the safe second with a regular inflator and get a good octo instead (apeks atx40 would work well there to keep the same brand). if the BCD is wearing out, get a backplate and wing from DGX or VDH.

 

[JackD342]

I know this sounds like a silly question, but I'm having a difficult time deciding what to do with my gear. It was purchased new 16 years ago and I have over 252 dives on it. The gear has been maintained well and serviced annually, but it is showing its age. I usually dive with it twice monthly through out the year (I'm a volunteer diver at a Zoo/Aquarium, so they are cold water, usually shallow, and long dives.)

Recently, I went on vacation and took my gear with me for a rare open water dive. I had a scary equipment malfunction that (luckily) occurred before getting into the water involving my integrated safe-second/inflation hose on my BC (SeaQuest, Libra). After this experience I lost faith in my gear being safe and am uncomfortable diving with it in open water.

So, my questions are: Is there an age limit on dive gear? I could replace the safe-second/inflation hose, but I'd still be using a 16 yr old BC - is that safe/wise? What about my computer (Suunto Cobra), it's working fine but it's also 16 yrs old? And then there is the first stage to consider - Apeks M.P. 9.2-9.6 bar, dry sealed system. Again, never had an issue, but now I'm paranoid. (I have an Apeks T50 reg, it's been great but it's not what it used to be, so that guy will be replaced.)

If replacement of the computer is recommended, what are your favorite options (integrated) for cold water? It looks like everyone loves their Apeks regs, so I'll stick with that brand.

Thank you for your help!

Well, if the octo inflator is an Aqualung Air Source from 16 years ago and it caused problems, replace it for sure. (What happened?). Many of the secondary replacement parts are no longer available, and the newer version is now balanced.

Your Apeks is probably fine.

Your Libra is a coin toss, depending on whether or not it is showing its age with wear and tear. At the very least, make sure that it doesn’t need the handles on the weight pockets replaced from a recall several years ago.

 

[GJC]

With regular and proper servicing, your regulator first and second stage should last your lifetime.

A lot of people feel that hoses should be replace every 5 years. Others do careful inspections before every dive and replace when they notice anything that doesn't appear normal (cracks, too stiff, too soft).

Your BC needs replacement when the nylon frays, the seams start separating, or the bladder starts cracking and leaking.

I didn't see the brand of safe second you have, but it probably should last a long time as long as it has been serviced and inspected properly.

Dive computers either work or they don't. Some last 6 months. Some last 20 years or more. Failure is due to an o ring leak that floods it, old batteries that have leaked, or an electronic component failure (like the pressure sensor). You only need to replace it when it fails or when you find a newer one that has some feature that you just can't do without.

 

[Bigbella]

, I went on vacation and took my gear with me for a rare open water dive. I had a scary equipment malfunction that (luckily) occurred before getting into the water involving my integrated safe-second/inflation hose on my BC (SeaQuest, Libra).

So, my questions are: Is there an age limit on dive gear? I could replace the safe-second/inflation hose, but I'd still be using a 16 yr old BC - is that safe/wise? What about my computer (Suunto Cobra), it's working fine but it's also 16 yrs old? And then there is the first stage to consider - Apeks M.P. 9.2-9.6 bar, dry sealed system. Again, never had an issue, but now I'm paranoid. (I have an Apeks T50 reg, it's been great but it's not what it used to be, so that guy will be replaced.)

If replacement of the computer is recommended, what are your favorite options (integrated) for cold water? It looks like everyone loves their Apeks regs, so I'll stick with that brand.

Thank you for your help!

I would get rid of that inflator / safe second crap; get a conventional octopus. They're the worst. I have seen more failures of that and similar devices, over the years, than most any other.

Get your regulator serviced; don't be paranoid.

Provided that the Suunto Cobra is functional and accurate, don't replace it. I have one that is as old, if not older than yours; and has seen a ridiculous number of dives . . .

 

[ScubaGui]

Well, if the octo inflator is an Aqualung Air Source from 16 years ago and it caused problems, replace it for sure. (What happened?). Many of the secondary replacement parts are no longer available, and the newer version is now balanced.

Your Apeks is probably fine.

Your Libra is a coin toss, depending on whether or not it is showing its age with wear and tear. At the very least, make sure that it doesn’t need the handles on the weight pockets replaced from a recall several years ago.

Thank you for your response! I did not know there was a recall, I'll have to check that out. As for what happened...

The metal piece (now missing from the left side) that clips into my high pressure hose blew off. It did it in such a way as to leave the high pressure hose stuck open, so my tank very quickly started to drain. Had this happened under water I would have lost air very quickly and lost the ability to inflate my BC. It also doesn't help that a snorkeler (on a different boat, not related to our dive boat, but in the same area) died that day. We watched EMS unsuccessfully attempt to revive her. It was awful and something I will never forget. At the time, I took it as a Sign that it was time to replace my gear and I vowed to trash it all and start over. Now that I've had some time to settle down and think about it (and let's be honest, price out all new gear too) that may have been a rash decision. Which is why I'm now stuck in the do I, or do I not, replace it all limbo.

I was reminded how dangerous the sport can be, and how very important our gear is; it is life support. I do not want to compromise on safety. But I also don't want to throw away perfectly good gear because of a rash, emotional decision.

 

[ScubaGui]

I would get rid of that inflator / safe second crap; get a conventional octopus. They're the worst. I have seen more failures of that and similar devices, over the years, than most any other.

Get your regulator serviced; don't be paranoid.

Provided that the Suunto Cobra is functional and accurate, don't replace it. I have one that is as old, if not older than yours; and has seen a ridiculous number of dives . . .

Thank you for taking the time to respond! Out of curiosity, what are the common failures you have seen with the integrated systems? I liked it originally because it eliminated one more hose and made me more streamlined. I commonly dive in an Aquarium setting, so streamlining becomes important so we aren't hitting and scratching the acrylic accidentally. But, you are not the first person who has disliked the integrated system. And mine decided to fail in an epic way. ):

 

[runsongas]

what is the maintenance history for the safe second? was the revision B qd fitting upgrade performed previously?

the older fitting could be overtightened easier, which weakened the socket

 

[ScubaGui]

what is the maintenance history for the safe second? was the revision B qd fitting upgrade performed previously?

the older fitting could be overtightened easier, which weakened the socket

The gear has been serviced annually by my local dive shop- it has to be otherwise I can not dive where I do (I have to show proof of servicing every year.) At the time of the failure, it had been serviced a month or so prior, then had a couple dives on it before it broke.
On this day I did not connect the hose to the piece that blew off. It was done by the dive boat staff, so I don't know if it was loose or felt different or not. 48 hours prior I dove it and it worked/felt fine.
I'm not sure what you mean by 'was the revision B qd fitting upgrade'? -sorry. I've never upgraded the gear, but obviously parts have been replaced out overtime during its servicing (I couldn't tell you what they were though, besides o-rings and such.)

Thank you for your time.