spare air

[Crush]

As to whether this is a sufficient amount is dependent upon the type of diving you do.

Every summer I see cyclists who are biking across the country, Pacific to Atlantic or vice versa. I suppose that for those with the proper training, a bicycle is a viable mode of transportation to travel from ocean to ocean. I, on the other hand, prefer an airplane.

 

[BDSC]

You're correct.

Just be sure to discuss the best way to mount a Spare Air with your hypoxic trimix instructor.

But why would I need hypoxic trimix when I have a Spare Air!

 

[Teamcasa]

The Spare Air issue always cracks me up.

If (I've done a zillion things wrong and) I run out of gas and the only source of additional air is a can of Spare Air will I politely say, "No thanks, some of the people on ScubaBoard ridicule its use." or would I happily grab it and go up? You bet I would and so would any of you.

Would I buy one? No. Would I use one if it was a gift? Sure.
Do I silently snicker when I see a diver with one? Nope.

 

[ianr33]

Do I silently snicker when I see a diver with one? Nope.

I would if they were at 300 feet. Each to their own.

 

[Teamcasa]

I would if they were at 300 feet. Each to their own.

Nevermind....

 

[Hatul]

The Spare Air issue always cracks me up.

If (I've done a zillion things wrong and) I run out of gas and the only source of additional air is a can of Spare Air will I politely say, "No thanks, some of the people on ScubaBoard ridicule its use." or would I happily grab it and go up? You bet I would and so would any of you.

Would I buy one? No. Would I use one if it was a gift? Sure.
Do I silently snicker when I see a diver with one? Nope.

True, but the question is not whether to use one if nothing else is available. He's asking if he should buy one, and the answer is no. Spend a little more and get a pony bottle with a standard inexpensive regulator. In the event of primary failure you can make a controlled and safe ascent to terminate your dive.

Adam

 

[Teamcasa]

True, but the question is not whether to use one if nothing else is available. He's asking if he should buy one, and the answer is no. Spend a little more and get a pony bottle with a standard inexpensive regulator. In the event of primary failure you can make a controlled and safe ascent to terminate your dive.

Adam

And if people would just give the OP their opinion sans all the ridicule it would not be an issue.

The issue here is simple. Is spare air a viable tool in an emergency, and to that the answer is yes. Are there other, more cost effective vs volume alternatives? Yep. No need to make fun of the decision, one way or the other.

 

[speuci]

Out of curiousity, what other options (larger than 3CF) are out there that are 1) easy to get past TSA and 2) easy to fill off your own tank?

 

[formula1mb@aol.com]

If you want something small but bigger than a spare air, Zeagle has a 6 cu ft pony with an integrated tank valve/first stage which is very compact. It also includes a transfiller so you can fill it from your main tank:

Buy Zeagle pony system 750-6206 with reviews at scuba.com

 

[OldNSalty]

Out of curiousity, what other options (larger than 3CF) are out there that are 1) easy to get past TSA and 2) easy to fill off your own tank?

I'm not sure getting a SA past TSA is any easier or harder then any other tank. I am also not sure that getting a tank past TSA is an especially difficult task provided that you comply with the requirements so point 1 is a little useless IMO.

As to point 2, I suppose that is a nice feature but you don't need to be filling it after every dive. Travel to your destination-get it filled when you pick up your rental tanks, spend the week diving and hopefully never use it. I just can't see where filling from your own tank is a great feature.