spare air

[mark99]

I will stay completely out of the 'should you', 'should you not' arm of this thread. In a separate (very long-running) thread on 'most regretted' equipment purchases, a SpareAir was an often cited item. That is not a judgement, merely exposition of the experiences of a number of other SB folks. 'Small pony bottles' (less than 19cf) was another often regretted purchase. My opinion, FWIW, is to go with a pony. And, I would consider going with a AL40 pony, simply for future versatility (even resale value if you decide to move in other directions). I dive one slung under my left arm - hardly even notice it in the water. I feel more comfortable with it at 120' than I would with a 19cf.

Agree completely. Get an AL 40cf pony, sling it from two D-rings like shown in a couple of photos in this thread and I guarantee you will not even notice it when you are diving. You'll have a substantial amount of air no matter what depth you dive, and you'll have a nice stage bottle when you're ready to move on past recreational diving.

 

[Compressor]

You want to dive solo. That's your choice.
Spare air is a joke as others have mentioned.

Why not sign up in a local dive club and dive with a buddy. More enjoyable and redundancy of the buddy. Diving alone is not very fun. If you insist on diving alone, let some one know where you dive so in case you perish they know where to find you rather than put others thru unncessary work and potential danger.

I would like to ask who trained you and if they did not tell you about the perils of solo diving.

As a last comment, SDI has a course called Solo diving. Consider taking it.

 

[redacted]

A spare air is better than no air. But there are so many better ways to prepare and equip yourself for an OOA situation that it is most likely a poor choice.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Agree with many here. Spare air is a waste of money. I dive with a 19 cu ft pony or 40 cu ft pony/stage depending on my dive plan. While some do solo without a redundant air supply I would consider it stupid unless you are TOTALLY familiar with your gear, environment, skills and ability to handle any forseeable problem that may occur. Frankly to dive solo at all with one if you are not all of the above is dumb.

Diving alone can be extremely enjoyable and safe given the right experience, training, gear, and above all, mindset. We who dive solo do so for various reasons but most of all out of a desire to challenge ourselves, enjoy the solitude, take photos or just to relax without the distraction of diving with another person.

But do not mistake this for an attitude. Many of us enjoy diving with others, have lots of friends, and recognize the benfits of having a buddy. But we have elected to get the training, experience, and not try to cut corners on gear to dive alone. If money is an issue to getting a proper redundant air source then it may not be time to take up diving solo. It would be better spent taking another class and finding a dive buddy, joining a dive club, or making an effort to locate people who would be willing to dive with and mentor you.

The only good thing about newbies diving solo without the proper preparations is that Darwin soon gets some company, recovery teams get more practice, and the water is less crowded.

As for SDI's solo course be sure to check the instructor out very carefully. There is alot more to it than being told to carry proper gear and know what you are doing.

 

[Steve R]

I use a 30cf (4L WC) aluminium and I sling it off my BC. I previously used to hang it off two D-rings but found that to be a PITA. As it's almost neutral in the water, I find jusy hanging it off one D-ring works fine.

This is the setup:

and this is how it looks in the water, when slung:

Looks as though it might get in the way, but I can assure you it doesn't. This is just the way I do it though, others, including you may/will find other ways which work for them.

I did use a "pony tamer" to clamp it to my main cylindere but didn't like the extra weight involved, being hung off my already weighty 16KG 15L steel single. Side slinging also means that I can pass it over to my buddy if he is OOA and being Ally, it won't affect my buoyancy too much if I do this.

The reg is an Aqualung Calypso, which cost me $90 off a bloke in the US via ebay. The slinging rig was home made and cost me maybe $AU30. ($US24)

As for your discomfort at depths exceeding 20ft (which is my normal decostop +/- 3 feet), I have to ask you, have you actually done any recognised formal training? The most basic OW qualifications from any agency you care to mention should train you to 60ft/18m. The sort of depths you are speaking of are basically for snorkelling.

Dude, are you trying to sell him on the idea, or disuade him?

That rig, and it's attachment is horrible.

 

[JeffG]

Dude, are you trying to sell him on the idea, or disuade him?

That rig, and it's attachment is horrible.

He needs a big knife. And what is that thing floating over his head?

 

[SparticleBrane]

Jeff--he's got a big knife, he's in the process of pulling it out right now. The pictures doesn't show the great white he's about to fend off.

 

[JeffG]

Jeff--he's got a big knife, he's in the process of pulling it out right now. The pictures doesn't show the great white he's about to fend off.

Well...He's going to need split fins then.

 

[ReefHound]

Alright guys, next you'll be talking about his trim.

 

[JeffG]

Alright guys, next you'll be talking about his trim.

Whats wrong with his trim?