Question re: Bailout bottles

[sytech]

I just purchased the Spare Air 3.0 bottle and the H2Odyssey Extra Air Source 6.0 bottle. I will be returning one of them.

Realizing that these are "bailout bottles" for emergency use ONLY and not in any way meant to be an extra air source I would like to hear opinions from people who have them.

Thanks,

Sy

 

[Jimmer]

I normally dive doubles when I solo, sometimes single with a slung 30 or 40 CF bottle, and sometimes doubles with a slung bottle. Overkill yes, but usually I just do it to get used to slinging and deploying the bottle for when I take my deco class.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

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[redacted]

I have used a spare air and it is just not enough to make a normal ascent with planned rest stops for most dives. But it will provide adequate air to make an assisted CESA with no terrible urgency. The 6 cf is better and may alllow normal ascents from the 30 to 50 ft range depending on your SAC and ability to stay calm. I now use a 13 cf pony as I do go solo in the 80 - 90 ft range.

 

[Darnold9999]

I use a 6cf bottle for tropical solo and 13cf for cold water solo. Used to use the 6 but got myself in a situation (with a buddy, and we were being stupid) where I realized that 6 would not be enough. Didn't need to go to it, but at the time was thinking I am not carrying enough air to get out of this if anything goes wrong. Sling both and don't notice the difference. The only reason for the 6 tropical is weight flying. If it were me I would keep the 6 - just a slight added extra margin for error with no real penalty. I am way more comfortable with 13 however, and even that is just bailout air plus a tiny bit for problem solving.

 

[Doc Harry]

What exactly is your question? Are you asking specifically about Spare Air or generally about bailout bottles? Or are you asking about the volume?

 

[UP4AIR]

This post has been deleted by Doc as a troll.

 

[firemedic1015]

This post has been deleted by Doc as a troll.

 

[Darnold9999]

You know I have heard that opinion and if I choose to limit my gas to bailout only that is my business. More air allows longer to solve a problem, but frankly if the air I am carrying won't get me to the surface then the number of situations where more air is going to be the difference is extremely limited. My choice - an informed one by the way.

Reality is that there is no "right" amount of gas to carry beyond bailout. 13, 19, 30, 40 80, 100, 110 all give a larger margin for error, none are foolproof. As you get larger you get to survive more possible "problems" - none is going to gurantee that you make it back alive. As long as you know the margin of error that 6, or 13 or whatever you choose to carry gives you AND you make the choice to dive alone, who exactly are you to tell me or anyone else that "there is no place in solo diving for either".

 

[Doc Intrepid]

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