Spare Air: some thoughts

[RJP]

So does this then imply that divers using pony bottles have poor gas management plans or buddy skills or are irresponsible divers also?????

No one is saying that. In fact no one is saying that people who carry SpareAir have poor gas plans/buddy skills/are irresponsible.

What those of us who are SpareAir naysayers - based apparently on our rigorous, elite levels of tech training and mystical powers - are saying is that evaluating redundant gas needs is no different than evaluating ANY possible dive gear need for a specific dive:

1. The primary approach to avoiding potential problems is through proper dive planning, gas management, situational awareness, and effective team diving skills.
2. Carry only that gear indicated for those specific problems that, despite step 1 above, might still reasonably be expected to occur.
3. If you are going to carry extra gear based on Step 2, ensure that it is suitable to the need.
4. If you do not have suitable gear available in Step 3, go back to Step 1 and revise the dive plan accordingly.

In that context, a Spare Air doesn't really fit in anyplace in my mind. In all cases - even if everything goes wrong - either the dive doesn't require 3.0cf of contingent gas, or if contingent gas is required...3.0cf is not suitable to the need. And I'm not talking 180ft wreck penetration dives with mandatory deco, etc. I'm talking recreational "pretty fishy" vacation dives.

"But Ray," many will respond. "A few more breaths is better than nothing, right?"

So too...

- a nail clipper as a backup cutting device is better than nothing
- a key-fob flashlight as a backup light is better than nothing
- a pair of swim goggles as a backup mask is better than nothing
- a ball of yarn as a safety spool is better than nothing
- a cardboard kazoo as a signaling device is better than nothing
- a paper towel and crayon as a dive slate is better than nothing
- a sand-filled hourglass as a backup timing device is better than nothing

Carrying gear that is either not required or is not suitable for the planned dive can result in...

- task loading
- poor streamlining
- entanglement hazard
- potential failure points
- lowered situational awareness
- increased cost

When planning a dive, if the idea ever crosses your mind that some piece of gear is "better than carrying nothing" you need to re-plan the dive until you get to the point that "carrying nothing is better."

 

[sdiver68]

No one is saying that. In fact no one is saying that people who carry SpareAir have poor gas plans/buddy skills/are irresponsible.

ETC...

When planning a dive, if the idea ever crosses your mind that some piece of gear is "better than carrying nothing" you need to re-plan the dive until you get to the point that "carrying nothing is better."

I'll rewrite the above post, no offense intended and I claim the satire exception to copyright law

***************************************************************************

No one is saying that. In fact no one is saying that people who wear Seat Belts have poor cars/driving skills/are irresponsible.

What those of us who are Seat Belt naysayers - based apparently on our rigorous, elite levels of race car training and mystical powers - are saying is that evaluating redundant safety features is no different than evaluating ANY possible car need for a specific drive:

1. The primary approach to avoiding potential problems is through proper defensive driving, car maintenance, situational awareness, and effective driving skills.
2. Wear only the seat belts indicated for those specific problems that, despite step 1 above, might still reasonably be expected to occur.
3. If you are going to wear seat belts based on Step 2, ensure that it is suitable to the need.
4. If you do not have seat belts available in Step 3, go back to Step 1 and revise the drive plan accordingly.

In that context, a Seat Belt doesn't really fit in anyplace in my mind. In all cases - even if everything goes wrong - either the drive doesn't require a seat belt, or if a seat belt is required...so too would be a full 5-6 point harness, roll cage and helmet. And I'm not talking track days in the advanced group, etc. I'm talking recreational vacation Sunday drives.

"But Steve," many will respond. "A seat belt is better than nothing, right?"

So too...

- a few threads on your tires is better than nothing
- a worn belt is better than nothing
- a single set of working brakes is better than nothing
- a map of the world is better than nothing
- a cardboard kazoo as an emergency signaling device is better than nothing
- a paper towel and string as a first aid kit is better than nothing
- a sand-filled hourglass and the stars as a backup GPS device is better than nothing

Wearing seat belts that are either not required or is not suitable for the planned drive can result in...

- task loading
- constricted breathing
- entanglement hazard
- potential failure points
- lowered situational awareness
- increased cost

When planning a drive, if the idea ever crosses your mind that a seat belt is "better than wearing nothing" you need to re-plan the drive until you get to the point that "wearing nothing is better."

 

[HowardE]

I hope this becomes a stickey

This will not become a Sticky.

Laugh if you will, but more people have success stories with their Spare Air than you hear of accidents being caused BY HAVING one.

Maybe they won't get you out of a deep cave penetration or from 400 feet inside a wreck, but no matter how you slice it. Extra gas is better than no extra gas. If your dive plan sends you 400 feet inside a wreck, and your backup plan is "spare air" - then you deserve whatever comes your way.

Cyber Divers - poke fun at things they either

a) Don't understand
or
2) Read on the internet.

It's an easy target.

Realize that 90% (or more) of divers are diving AL80's on shallow reef dives, and looking at pretty fishes.

 

[BDSC]

those specific problems that, despite step 1 above, might still reasonably be expected to occur.

I don't know if I've just been lucky or what but in over 500 dives I've never had a single problem to occur and I've rarely been with anyone else who has had a problem. I'm talking here the Caribbean type of diving. So for me, I don't know that I could ever reasonably expect a problem to occur. That why I've never seen a need for either a pony or a spare air in that type of diving unless maybe you are a solo diver.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Cyber Divers - poke fun at things they either

a) Don't understand
or
2) Read on the internet.

... maybe that should become a sticky ... or a sig line ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Atomic_Diver]

Seriously...why was the Nitrox Spare Air created?

 

[ianr33]

Seriously...why was the Nitrox Spare Air created?

To make money for the manufacturer. Same as all commercial dive gear is created. Nothing wrong with that. Its the way the system works.

 

[Atomic_Diver]

At least they didn't make Trimix Spare Air, or Heliox Spare Air...yet...

 

[redacted]

- a pair of swim goggles as a backup mask is better than nothing

Do you not think swim goggles will work to safely get you to the surface employing an acceptable ascent rate and a recommended rest stop?

 

[Atomic_Diver]

How are you going to unflood them?