Mini tanks

[mcf57]

I am certified and I'm looking at some of these mini tanks. Allow about 5-10mins of useage. For two reasons; backup air source for regular diving and for snorkeling at some Florida Springs. I am planning to go to Ginnie Springs in Oct with some friends. I will meet some dive buddies there, but friends are not certified so we might try to snorkel there as well. Since they are fairly close, might also try to scuba/snorkel at Blue Grotto and Devil's Den

From what I see with some of these mini tanks, you can fill them with a hand pump, but reviewers are saying its hard and takes a while. I did see one person say they got an adapter from the manufacturer to use with their compressor. I have a small bike compressor. Could I use an adapter with this? Or is there another compressor that needs to be used? Just wondering

 

[broncobowsher]

If you take a scuba tank snorkling, you are no longer shorkling, you are scuba diving. With a tiny undersized tank.

 

[Boarderguy]

I am certified and I'm looking at some of these mini tanks. Allow about 5-10mins of useage. For two reasons; backup air source for regular diving and for snorkeling at some Florida Springs. I am planning to go to Ginnie Springs in Oct with some friends. I will meet some dive buddies there, but friends are not certified so we might try to snorkel there as well. Since they are fairly close, might also try to scuba/snorkel at Blue Grotto and Devil's Den

From what I see with some of these mini tanks, you can fill them with a hand pump, but reviewers are saying its hard and takes a while. I did see one person say they got an adapter from the manufacturer to use with their compressor. I have a small bike compressor. Could I use an adapter with this? Or is there another compressor that needs to be used? Just wondering

No "mini" tank will give you that much time. My 13cf will give me 10-15 minutes and that's only at 15 feet. These sales gimmicks are good for a few full breaths at best. They should not be used while snorkeling due to barotrauma injury potential. Stay away from them.

Just get a 19 or 30 and take that with you if you must maintain small footprint.

 

[Gone for diving]

This is what I thought of when I read the title.

 

[KenE]

Do not use any compressor that is not rated for breathing air, this can be very dangerous!

Mini tanks are a marketing gimmick that any serious diver/snorkeler should avoid for so many reasons.

Scuba diving requires training for a reason, do not give a "mini" tank to an untrained person as this is also very dangerous. If they take a breath at 15' and realize the tank is near empty, they will naturally hold their breath to the surface and will be in real trouble! Most people do not know of this hazard! Snorkelers breath at the surface and trained divers breath at depth, don't mix and match unless you are trained.

 

[mcf57]

Good info. Sounds like I will avoid them. Thanks

 

[BoltSnap]

Don't do any of what you said you wanted to do with this tank, other than not buying or using it.

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

For some reason, there's equipment that does both scuba AND schnorkelating! Wit a tiny tank and full-face mask! What could possibly go wrong?!?

I think they called it the Scubacider.

 

[NothingClever]

Plain snorkel configuration or real SCUBA kit, those are the sensible choices.

The picture above is alarming.

 

[Boarderguy]

Plain snorkel configuration or real SCUBA kit, those are the sensible choices.

The picture above is alarming.

I think I should add it to my bailout plan. First breath is to the clear mask, second breath is to find my pony bottle reg and curse my stupid choices.