spare air? i use one and i get laughed at

[Bob DBF]

An appropriate size pony will do it but not Spare Air.

What is this hypothetical appropriate sized pony bottle that will be enough for any entanglement or hazard one might envision? I'm figuring it is all dependant on what scenario it is limited to.

Years ago I picked up a spare air and found it did not hold up to the conditions I dove in so I went back to diving without. This is not to say I never took redundant air, but I needed to have a real good reason to drag along an extra 72 or 80. As I'm getting older, I picked up an Al 20 pony for my deeper, and/or more interesting dives.

All this considered, I have never met the conditions to use any redundant air, save testing the unit.



Bob

 

[James79]

Pretty sure that the design is dictated by maximizing capacity in a reasonable size and shape, not by avoiding hydros. If slimmer it would either hold significantly less, or be significantly longer.

I'm aware.... it was meant in jest

 

[akdeepdiver]

To each thier own. Would I use one, no. Would I laugh at another divers gear choice, again no. The only gear choice I laugh at are the divers that carry a dive knife the size of a large bowie knife, like they are going to have to fight off a Sea Hunt villian on every dive.

 

[tech_diver]

The only gear choice I laugh at are the divers that carry a dive knife the size of a large bowie knife, like they are going to have to fight off a Sea Hunt villian on every dive.

Ooooh! So that's why people are laughing at me!

Hey, no reason to stop wearing a perfectly good knife from the 1970s even if it is a little bulky.

Besides, we'll see who's laughing when the underwater villains really do show up, not to mention fighting off giant squids.

 

[ScubaBunga]

I wouldn't laugh at someone with a spare air. I used to have one (actually lost it on the "white glove" size in the bahamas). However, that 11 breath thing - have you actually tested it at depth? If you have a problem and switch to it, you better be on your way up. It is definitely better than not having any air and will give some help for a CESA. If you take any time to think while on it you will be OOO very quickly. Maybe 11 breaths at the surface while calm, but 4-5 at any depth and if you are excited and taking deep breaths (assuming you were needing air because primary failed several seconds ago..), you will be right back where you were with the initial failure. If you know what time you have with it, it will surely help in an emergency. If you don't and don't act quick enough it will be a useless device. I would say take a safe dive and test it at depth (simulating an OOO event - including increased stressed level) to give you a really good idea of your time to react. I've now invested in a pony, but it doesn't travel and is only used on deep dives - so having a spare air would still be of benefit (much easier to travel with - to just refill from rental tank).

 

[W W Meixner]

ive used spare air for years.. i have to admit i sometimes come up with less than recommended air in tank so i like to have it when im doing my deco. and just in case i cut it too tight. i have a back up............i have the 1.7 size which as 5 meters i think gives me about 11 breathes. why do other divers laugh at me when i bring this unit along??????? is the chance of a dive reg or tank malfunction so tiny that a spare air is just not needed? if so its needed for me cause i sometimes come up with minimal air in tank left and i only do it in the shallows............so if i did run out i got 11 breaths to get the remaining 5 meters to the surface. and finally the 1.7 versus the 3.0. i have both and i suppose i can use the regs for each other interchangable? i think so. finally i see you have to get the units sent in every 5 years to get the tank inspected. if i take care of mine is that really necessary? what do you think about regulator on my unit. i have not had it inspected in ten years. dont rubber parts in them go bad? maybe i will go for an emergency breath and nothing comes out? oh well on my tombstone i put . I saved a buck!

Y...

Certainly nothing funny about running out of breathing gas...or making jokes about dying as a result of running out of breathing gas...

When you discuss deco...and reduntant gear while conducting obligated deco...''Spare-Air''...is far less than you should be carrying...

Unless your one long paragraph is intended to be a joke...there is a lot wrong with what you're doing...

Who is filling your Spare Air cylinder...because if it hasn't been serviced in ten years...the cylinder is five years out of hydro...

Not Laughing...

 

[W W Meixner]

I bet the guys that laugh at a spare air would change their tune if they had it all go wrong at 130 feet. I guarantee they would really appreciate that spare air on the CESA. A couple of breaths could be the difference between making it to the chamber or the morgue. I promise that being away from an air source at depth will get your attention. Sorting out an issue once the air clock starts on work through it or launch is a special feeling. By the way, a small tear in your octo mouth piece will make it breathe so wet its almost not there at all....

I prefer a 27cf pony for solo, but to each their own. Dive your rig. It's your rig. There is usually "that" guy on a stranger boat, usually decked out in brand new Halcyon gear, titanium regs, and a $300 mask who thinks he is Jacques Cousteau and wants to talk about how good his gear is. assholes are everywhere...nothing you can do about it.

Good luck, if I Coke bottle my tank for whatever reason , I'll gladly take your spare air. No giggles from me!

Safe travels,
Jay

Jay...

Following correct ascent NDL protocols...Spare Air will not get you safely to the surface from 130'...a diver would be out of air likely before reaching 90'...do the math...

If the OP's thread is a joke...it's not funny...if it's not a joke...it's ''seriously'' not funny...

Better to dive like your ''Jacques Cousteau'' friend...than to dive like this...a fence is only a fence if it keeps out what is trying to get in...anything less is a false sense of security...foolhardy...and dangerous...

W...

 

[Bob DBF]

Who is filling your Spare Air cylinder...because if it hasn't been serviced in ten years...the cylinder is five years out of hydro..

The SA has a special fitting and a yoke fill adaptor and you do it yourself, so the issue of maintainance is self-limiting. If I see someone starting to fill one I ask about the hydro date so I can choose the proper distance from the event that my buddies and I can stand.

I agree that anyone that figures that a SA is a proper redundant backup for deco dives should retake their training, assuming they had training.

Following correct ascent NDL protocols...Spare Air will not get you safely to the surface from 130'...with gas compression at depth...a diver would be out of air likely before reaching 90'...do the math...

You are correct, if you assume that it is used an extension of your back gas. If you use it as an additional few breaths during a CSEA, it makes the trip up less stressful.



I'm no big fan of the SA, however it is a 3 cuft bottle, or less depending on the model. The problem I see with it, is that some have decided that the only reason a diver would choose it is because of ignorance. Pointing out the size, and whether it will meet the divers expectations is a good discussion, condemning it for not meeting your expectations and projecting that need on another is not.

I chose a 20 for my deep dives, on the calculations of others this is not enough. So what's enough redundancy? 30, 40, 80, doubles, double 120s, double 120s with an 80. The answer is to calculate what you believe you need, and temper that with what you will carry. Because if you will leave it behind because it is too much trouble, then any becomes better than none. Just make an informed choice.


Bob

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I believe in redundancy especially diving solo but a spare air is completely inadequate. I see them on occasion but I do not laugh of the owners. I never laugh at anyone regarding how they decide to dive. Roll my eyes at times, but never laugh.

If you feel you need some redundancy, why not get an adequate solution to the problem? I frequently sling an AL40 when diving solo or deep on a single tank.

 

[W W Meixner]

The SA has a special fitting and a yoke fill adaptor and you do it yourself, so the issue of maintainance is self-limiting. If I see someone starting to fill one I ask about the hydro date so I can choose the proper distance from the event that my buddies and I can stand.

**Hey Bob...

**Agreed...does not negate proper servicing...I can only imagine what the rest of the OP's gear is like...

I agree that anyone that figures that a SA is a proper redundant backup for deco dives should retake their training, assuming they had training.

**Agreed...!!!


You are correct, if you assume that it is used an extension of your back gas. If you use it as an additional few breaths during a CSEA, it makes the trip up less stressful.

**Assuming there is back gas remaining...


I'm no big fan of the SA, however it is a 3 cuft bottle, or less depending on the model. The problem I see with it, is that some have decided that the only reason a diver would choose it is because of ignorance. Pointing out the size, and whether it will meet the divers expectations is a good discussion, condemning it for not meeting your expectations and projecting that need on another is not.

**Something is always better than nothing...as long as expectations can be realized...

I chose a 20 for my deep dives, on the calculations of others this is not enough. So what's enough redundancy? 30, 40, 80, doubles, double 120s, double 120s with an 80. The answer is to calculate what you believe you need, and temper that with what you will carry. Because if you will leave it behind because it is too much trouble, then any becomes better than none. Just make an informed choice.

**Isn't this what planning the dive and diving the plan is all about...my existing/remaining tank arsenal is down to four small cylinders...nothing gets planned beyond their capacity to keep me safe...


**Best...Warren...

**P.S....I believe the OP has used up his dime...He's probably sitting back laughing his ass off with the responses...knowing most members feeling on S-A...

Bob