Leaky BCD

[Painter]

Soaking my BCD after a recent dive I noticed a tiny air leak from one of the air bladders. Should I get it repaired before diving again? Is it something I can fix myself, or should I take it to my LDS?

 

[tursiops]

Soaking my BCD after a recent dive I noticed a tiny air leak from one of the air bladders. Should I get it repaired before diving again? Is it something I can fix myself, or should I take it to my LDS?

Yes
No
Yes

 

[Jim Lapenta]

What kind of BC? It may not be able to be repaired. Don't be surprised if the shop tries to talk you into a new one.

 

[DerekR]

1.) Yes
2.) Possibly. Depends upon your expertise and the construction of the BCD. Many are simply bladders that are easily patched. Others are not so easy.
3.) If #2 doesn't work, then yes.

 

[TMHeimer]

I had a leak in the old BC years ago which was on the back, so I didn't notice. Don't know how long it was there--a buddy noticed it. I used (I think) some of that Aqua Seal wetsuit repair stuff and it still holds (I think). Of course, most of my diving is to 30', so I may agree that you take it to an LDS for repair.

 

[Doctorfish]

little leaks get bigger and you might have to rely on that BC to keep you alive. Have it fixed professionally (may not be possible}.
How old is it?

 

[Steve_C]

Why does it have a leak? If it is because the material of the bladder is getting old and brittle, then definitely time to replace and not patch.

 

[Painter]

It is a Cressi Aqua Ride that I bought used from a small dealer. It had been that dealer's personal BCD on a trip to Bonaire. It looks clean and new.

I have used it ten times, eight of which were on a recent trip to Key Largo, where I discovered the leak after my last dive. The leak is small enough that it probably wasn't noticeable during the dive. I don't think I brushed up against anything sharp during the dive.

I would take it back to the original dealer, but he lives near my summer home, about 200 miles from here.

 

[tarponchik]

I'd simply try hot glue for a pinhole.

 

[The Chairman]

It's impossible to tell you without seeing the leak in person. I've dove a leaky BC for months without an issue. Then I went to a BP&Wing and never dove that old BC again. I patched a wing with a tire patch once and it never failed me. In fact, I think it's still being used by the person who snagged it from me. The hot glue gun might very well work.

Here's the thing. The closer you are to a balanced rig, the less you'll notice a leak in your BC. You won't even notice it on the surface if the leak is low enough.