Ok, I've got some answers from some survival gear outfits. I'm told that
the service life on the release module is two years "in service"
regardless of manufacture date (providing its not *too* old) as long as
it is in good condition. So if it was manufactured in 2005 but purchased
in spring 2007 and put in service at that time, then it would be good to
go through spring 2009. The price I got on one was $147 plus shipping -
didn't check the net for it yet.
Red