spare air and knives, What do you buy?

[cherinere]

Alright the dolphin dive in Nassua is a bust I guess, you would think after ten years of diving I would of seen one by now but I'll keep looking. I want to purchase a reasonable priced spare air tank, dont need top of the line just one that you all trust and I want a dive knive for emergency situations only. Anyone that has favorites on one or both and the web sites they use. Need them within four weeks. The dive shops in Ct are few and selections are lacking. Thanks ya all. Cher

 

[menemsha43]

For the dive knife I have a small Gerber blunt tip that attaches to my BC hose. I have a larger Wenoka also but rarely use that because its a bit big.

I don't have a spare air contraption.

 

[Boogie711]

Please do a search on Spare Air. Then go knife shopping.

 

[MSilvia]

If you really want a secondary air source, consider a 40 cubic foot aluminium tank with a first and second stage regulator and pressure gauge.

It's like a spare air, only useful to a diver.

 

[StSomewhere]

My spare air is on my buddies back, that's why I never let him/her out of my sight.

 

[Hoyden]

For the dive knife I have a small Gerber blunt tip that attaches to my BC hose. I have a larger Wenoka also but rarely use that because its a bit big.

I don't have a spare air contraption.

I am a knife collector/nut (outside of diving - it is a separate hobby) and I crack up at some of the **** that is peddled for ridiculous prices as dive knives. The Gerber River Shorty, which is what I believe you were describing, is a very nice little knife, backed by one of the most reputable production knife makers in the world and can be had for around $20 right now from Overstock.com. I can't imagine why anyone looking for a dive knife would consider anything else. It's a nice knife that you would mind loosing - exactly what a dive knife should be.

Jackie Cooper

 

[OE2X]

My spare air is on my buddies back, that's why I never let him/her out of my sight.

Agreed or what MSilva said. I've got a 40 cf deco bottle.

Go to the local hardware store and buy a cheap steak knife. Bring it home and cut it off with a hacksaw so that the blade is only a few inches long. With a dremel tool or flat file, blunt out the end of the blade. Buy or make a webbing sheath and mount it on your waist belt. I did this, bought the sheaf and it cost me a total of $9.00. You really don't need a Crocodile Dundie knife. Also don't leg mount your knife. You want access to it at all times.

 

[Desa]

I want a dive knive for emergency situations only.

Unless you want it for emergency surgery, a pair of EMT sheers are much more practical than a knife in most case's.

I have a pair mounted upside down in a holster on my waist belt. Makes them easy to get to with either hand. They do a better job of cutting monofiliment then a knife and since I am really clumsy, I am not as likely to cut the person whom I think the most of

Skip the spare air. If you want a redundent air supply, mount a pony tank. Just my opinion.

 

[Charlie99]

Unless you want it for emergency surgery, a pair of EMT sheers are much more practical than a knife in most case's.

I have a pair mounted upside down in a holster on my waist belt. Makes them easy to get to with either hand. They do a better job of cutting monofiliment then a knife and since I am really clumsy, I am not as likely to cut the person whom I think the most of

Another common strategy with cutting tools is to have 2 different styles. EMT shears and a knife; or 1 blunt tip knife and 1 pointy tip are other common choices. With two types, you can use the one better suited for your needs, and you also have a backup in case you drop the first one.

 

[Dr. Doug Ebersole]

Alright the dolphin dive in Nassua is a bust I guess, you would think after ten years of diving I would of seen one by now but I'll keep looking. I want to purchase a reasonable priced spare air tank, dont need top of the line just one that you all trust and I want a dive knive for emergency situations only. Anyone that has favorites on one or both and the web sites they use. Need them within four weeks. The dive shops in Ct are few and selections are lacking. Thanks ya all. Cher

The only additional input I would have is the type of "Spare Air" you need is entirely dependent on your type of diving. The Spare Air is 3 cubic feet in size. If you are making shallow no-decompression dives, this may be an adequate security blanket for you. However, for deeper diving it makes no sense.

For example, if your surface consumption rate (SCR) is an average 0.7 cu ft/min and you are making a dive to 99 fsw (4 atm) your consumption rate is now 2.8 cu ft/min. As you can see, that 3.0 cu ft Spare Air won't get you a lot of additional time.

I would recommend figuring out your SCR (look back at your basic SCUBA text) and then consider what size pony bottle you need based on the type of diving you are doing.