The great Spare Air / SpareAir topic

[iflyprops]

Thanks for the replies. I was actually asking about both singles and doubles. I would like to get a single that performs well initially and then buy another and double them up when my skill level gets where it needs to be.

Thanks!

 

[grouchyturtle]

The problem is a given tank may not work in both instances for you.

I like the 119s as singles, but if and when I go to doubles I may pick up 100s, because I think the 119s will probably be too big for me as doubles.

 

[rjchandler]

spare airs are good cause you can double them up if you need more spare air but if you double ponies they are awfully heavy.

 

[rcain1]

I have a few questions for any professionals in the field of SCUBA.
My questions are about the spare air system.

1. The annual visual inspection/hydro inspection:
Do many people have it done?
Do you feel it is totally necessary?

2. Is spare air safe and meant to be used for SCUBA diving? By safe I mean should it be used for emergencies?

I ask because I had a dive master/ shop owner tell me he never has had anybody come in for a visual or hydro. He also said that they were intended for pilots not for SCUBA diving. I had never heard of this madness, hell it says right in the spare air pamphlet its for diving!

I am going to have my spare air annually vis’ed and hydro’ed every 5 years. I got them because of the safety factor and I am not going to undermine that because of a few dollars.

Thanks

 

[mk57nato]

Wow You are opening a major can of worms here..... you might want to do a search on spare air and you will find a ton of threads....

 

[rcain1]

thanks. I will do that!

 

[rcain1]

Well what about the annual visual inspection? Do any spare air users get them inspected?
Did I jsut waste $100 a piece on EBAY?

Did you know they have a NITROX version of the spare air! Go figure!

 

[rjchandler]

I have a few questions for any professionals in the field of SCUBA.
My questions are about the spare air system.

1. The annual visual inspection/hydro inspection:
Do many people have it done?
Do you feel it is totally necessary?

2. Is spare air safe and meant to be used for SCUBA diving? By safe I mean should it be used for emergencies?

I ask because I had a dive master/ shop owner tell me he never has had anybody come in for a visual or hydro. He also said that they were intended for pilots not for SCUBA diving. I had never heard of this madness, hell it says right in the spare air pamphlet its for diving!

I am going to have my spare air annually vis’ed and hydro’ed every 5 years. I got them because of the safety factor and I am not going to undermine that because of a few dollars.

Thanks

They were developed for use by pilots. The company lost its contract at one point to a competing product.

I assume you have now perused the many threads on the safety issue.

I think you can have an annual done on the reg by having it sent back to the manufacturer. You can inspect the cute little cylinder yourself. I would expect you could replace that cute little guy fer the price of a hydro.

 

[Web Monkey]

SSI doesn't mention redundant air sources on the OWD course (at least none I found on a quick scan through the book), however they do make a big deal about staying close to your buddy (you assume he's got air), and not going below 60 ft.

Anybody who dives to 130 ft with no buddy and no redundant air supply, is just lining up for the next Darwin Award.

Terry

Hey Uncle Pug,
With regards to regular recreational diving, most certification agencies that I am aware of, do not take into account the existence of alternative air sources, other than an octopus or a buddy. Procedures and knowledge imparted to the new diver, teach techniques that help the diver survive, without having to turn to devices such as Spare Air or ponies. Nevertheless, people do not always follow recommendations/instructions and **** happens (e.g. running out of air at 130 ft with no buddy).

 

[Web Monkey]

It's for the extended bottom time

With the air version, you have enough time to think "Oh S*** I'm out of air!"

With the Nitrox version, you have enough time to think "Oh S*** I'm out of air, but at least I'm not narced!"

Did you know they have a NITROX version of the spare air! Go figure!