Here's a real scary thought. Although I've never witnessed it, I've heard of people using spare airs for some modified snorkeling. They probably picked it up from BayWatch.
Spare air VS pony? Why?
- Thread starter hambleto
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
Here's a real scary thought. Although I've never witnessed it, I've heard of people using spare airs for some modified snorkeling. They probably picked it up from BayWatch.
cornfed
Mindless lemming
The site lists 21 ways to run out of are. Don't read them while drinking.
cornfed
Mindless lemming
I used to think that the Spare Air was just a misguided attempt at a good thing. I now realize it's just about money.
Charlie99
Contributor
- Messages
- 7,966
- Reaction score
- 169
- # of dives
- 500 - 999
It's a 3 cu ft pony. No more. No less.
Since it's only 3 cu ft it doesn't provide enough gas for a nice, clean normal ascent with safety stops. It does give you several breaths of air so you can catch up with that buddy 100 feet away. It does give you several breaths of air during what, for most people, would otherwise be a very fast ascent rate ESA.
Its small and light enough that it isn't a big hassle to put in your luggage as you fly off to a tropical resort somewhere. It has a convenient fill whip to top off from your main tank.
It's small and light enough that a diver might be willing to take it with him on a dive where dragging along a 40 cu ft pony just isn't worth the effort.
It has great limitations, and for some ignorant divers it may give a false sense of security. OTOH, it is 3 cu ft of gas that properly understood and used can be useful. 3 cu ft that's with me sure beats 40 cu ft that I left on the beach because it's too bulky.
Jeez. I've almost convinced myself
Guess I'll have to start looking on E-bay for a cheap spare air.
Charlie
Since it's only 3 cu ft it doesn't provide enough gas for a nice, clean normal ascent with safety stops. It does give you several breaths of air so you can catch up with that buddy 100 feet away. It does give you several breaths of air during what, for most people, would otherwise be a very fast ascent rate ESA.
Its small and light enough that it isn't a big hassle to put in your luggage as you fly off to a tropical resort somewhere. It has a convenient fill whip to top off from your main tank.
It's small and light enough that a diver might be willing to take it with him on a dive where dragging along a 40 cu ft pony just isn't worth the effort.
It has great limitations, and for some ignorant divers it may give a false sense of security. OTOH, it is 3 cu ft of gas that properly understood and used can be useful. 3 cu ft that's with me sure beats 40 cu ft that I left on the beach because it's too bulky.
Jeez. I've almost convinced myself
Guess I'll have to start looking on E-bay for a cheap spare air.Charlie
There is a good and valid use for the spareair.
It is called getting out of a helicopter that has crashed/ditched in the water. In this case it is the only breathing gas supply.
As soon as you are gearing up for SCUBA then there are many, much better ways to have backup gas.
It is called getting out of a helicopter that has crashed/ditched in the water. In this case it is the only breathing gas supply.
As soon as you are gearing up for SCUBA then there are many, much better ways to have backup gas.
Charlie99, those are all viable reasons for the spare air. If I can ask a question though, is that 3cf of air, just 3cf of air that you are taking out of your primary? I can see that it is a viable option for equipment failure, but wouldnt proper planning, training, maintenance, and practice prevent normal OOA situations that are described on their website?
As far as taking it on airplanes for travel... would they allow that now? I have to take my shoes of to get through the security at an airport. I am sure if they saw that in my bag I would probably be naked in a back room getting a body cavity search!
I agree that the spare air idea is a good one. However, more and more I think about it, I am probably going to get myself and my GF a 20cf pony for each of us. Although I am very curious as to how I could travel with that. I am going to have to do a search and see what I come up with.
As far as taking it on airplanes for travel... would they allow that now? I have to take my shoes of to get through the security at an airport. I am sure if they saw that in my bag I would probably be naked in a back room getting a body cavity search!
I agree that the spare air idea is a good one. However, more and more I think about it, I am probably going to get myself and my GF a 20cf pony for each of us. Although I am very curious as to how I could travel with that. I am going to have to do a search and see what I come up with.
SPare air is $175 on LP
And in fact, other reputable companies, for example Apeks, make their own version of Spare Air.
Advantages are size, cost, and usability. Remember the navy pilots use them. Either way, for those who dont want the extra size, Spare Air is just enough to get you to the surface in an emergency, assuming you arnt panicing. Rodales has a review where they tested this theory, and made it to the surface from 130 with a 3 mins safety stop. Either way, SA can be handed off, or used long enough to solve a problem UW. SA is for emergencies only. 3cuft is better than 0cuft. Now, stop trolling and do a better search next time.
Flame on.
And in fact, other reputable companies, for example Apeks, make their own version of Spare Air.
Advantages are size, cost, and usability. Remember the navy pilots use them. Either way, for those who dont want the extra size, Spare Air is just enough to get you to the surface in an emergency, assuming you arnt panicing. Rodales has a review where they tested this theory, and made it to the surface from 130 with a 3 mins safety stop. Either way, SA can be handed off, or used long enough to solve a problem UW. SA is for emergencies only. 3cuft is better than 0cuft. Now, stop trolling and do a better search next time.
Flame on.
... or do you need a pony bottle for that?
I carry a spare air! It's strapped to my left leg and I would never consider being without one,,,in my float plane.
I know a few other pilots who fly to the northern fly in camps who also SCUBA and they too carry a spare air in the event that an "incident" occurs, ending up in the pilot (me) being trapped and going down in the water.
Never had to use it, don't know anyone who has, but I do know of one who is no longer here who may still be here if he had one.
As for using it for a backup when diving, it's way too expensive for too little air.
PhotoTJ
Contributor
- Messages
- 3,312
- Reaction score
- 17
- # of dives
- I just don't log dives
I manage my air pretty carefully, and have never had an OOA. And I have a Spare Air. I keep it with me all the time.
Now, before we all jump on the "Let's mock TJ" bandwagon, let me tell you why.
11 years in the Navy, and I saw two pilots come to the surface from 50+ ft because of Spare Air. This wasn't some random story, this was people I knew. So I bought one.
I keep one in my bedroom at night. (In case of fire, I won't go down with smoke inhalation.) I have one in my truck. (Same reason, plus, if I have an unplanned water entry.)
And I dive with one. I've never needed it, but I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. I don't feel the need for a pony, because of the bulk, and my history of never needing a back up, but for me, this is small enough that it seems a viable alternative.
My $.02 I'm not trying to sell anyone anything, this is why I think, for my diving, it's a good deal.
Now, before we all jump on the "Let's mock TJ" bandwagon, let me tell you why.
11 years in the Navy, and I saw two pilots come to the surface from 50+ ft because of Spare Air. This wasn't some random story, this was people I knew. So I bought one.
I keep one in my bedroom at night. (In case of fire, I won't go down with smoke inhalation.) I have one in my truck. (Same reason, plus, if I have an unplanned water entry.)
And I dive with one. I've never needed it, but I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. I don't feel the need for a pony, because of the bulk, and my history of never needing a back up, but for me, this is small enough that it seems a viable alternative.
My $.02 I'm not trying to sell anyone anything, this is why I think, for my diving, it's a good deal.
Similar threads
