Spare Air 3.0 cubic ft
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WeldonDowd
Contributor
I think they are exempt from VIP and hydro. The one I found in a storage unit said that right on the cylinder. Don't buy them to use them; but they sell for quite a bit in eBay. I auctioned the one I found without the fill adapter and I think it sold in the $90's. And it was old and gross; I couldn't believe it. So maybe you buy them and resell and make a few bucks.
DevonDiver
N/A
There's a bunch of threads that discuss the pros and cons of Spare Air systems. When considering purchase/use it's important to be aware of how they'd fit into your overall gas plan - specifically, how much gas/time they'd supply at a given depth for ascent. Typically, that gas supply is much lower than their clever marketing would have you believe.
The upshot is that Spare Air is a 'CESA Device' - giving a couple of breaths during an emergency ascent from depth. It obviously give a longer duration in shallow water, but you don't really need to carry an extra cylinder to ascend from shallow water anyway...
Some people would debate that 'any extra air is better than none', which is hard to deny. However, critics of the Spare Air would state that it is better to use a full Pony Bottle for that purpose - so that you have 'sufficient' gas for a normal ascent, rather than a 'little extra' gas for an emergency ascent.
The difference - a pony ends the emergency and allows a normal ascent. A spare air prolongs the emergency, requiring a CESA still to be carried out.
---------- Post Merged at 10:43 AM ---------- Previous Post was at 10:39 AM ----------
Why? Are we exempt from serious injury if they fail when being filled at high pressure?
The upshot is that Spare Air is a 'CESA Device' - giving a couple of breaths during an emergency ascent from depth. It obviously give a longer duration in shallow water, but you don't really need to carry an extra cylinder to ascend from shallow water anyway...
Some people would debate that 'any extra air is better than none', which is hard to deny. However, critics of the Spare Air would state that it is better to use a full Pony Bottle for that purpose - so that you have 'sufficient' gas for a normal ascent, rather than a 'little extra' gas for an emergency ascent.
The difference - a pony ends the emergency and allows a normal ascent. A spare air prolongs the emergency, requiring a CESA still to be carried out.
---------- Post Merged at 10:43 AM ---------- Previous Post was at 10:39 AM ----------
Why? Are we exempt from serious injury if they fail when being filled at high pressure?
3.0 c.ft? Only good for doing James Bond impressions in the pool! Admittedly, that would be fun though.
ermaclob
Contributor
i wouldn't by that. no real use
how many is a couple?? the money you spend on 3 of those can get you a decent quality used pony along with some economically priced regs. u could even get your hands on some used doubles if your looking for better redundancy for a little over that price.
$100 is a rip off. i found my 2 al80s for $40 each just after they lost there birth hydros. after testing they cost me like 80 each.
dont bother with that. 20+ cuft pony is best.
how many is a couple?? the money you spend on 3 of those can get you a decent quality used pony along with some economically priced regs. u could even get your hands on some used doubles if your looking for better redundancy for a little over that price.
$100 is a rip off. i found my 2 al80s for $40 each just after they lost there birth hydros. after testing they cost me like 80 each.
dont bother with that. 20+ cuft pony is best.
koozemani
Contributor
You can easily find al30s for way less. You can find al13s and 19s brand new for less.
GrumpyOldGuy
Contributor
Since you trans-fill them, you can avoid the VIP / Hydro, no one is going to catch you. Still, 3000PSI is a lot of potential energy, certainly enough for serious harm.
I view the SA as just enough "protection" to make you over confident and lax in your dive planning / buddy skills. If you are going to spend the money on the purchase and the proper maintenance on the reg and bottle, might as well get something useful.
I view the SA as just enough "protection" to make you over confident and lax in your dive planning / buddy skills. If you are going to spend the money on the purchase and the proper maintenance on the reg and bottle, might as well get something useful.
WeldonDowd
Contributor
They are exempt because they fall short of the minimum diameter and length that a cylinder can measure before requiring a hydro. However, you can take one in for testing if you desire.
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