Awap,
Scubaboard can be a rough crowd, dont take it personally, there is a lot to learn at first but if you stick with it, it will start to make sense. I feel sorry for you because someone has convinced you to purchase a $300 paperweight. Not only is a spare air more or less useless, at least in my opinion, because it has so little capacity, it appears that you are attempting to use one as a substitute for basic diving skills.
David Gallo once bubbled...
As one who has run short on gas..
A bail out bottle, either a Spare Air or Pony, is not a good solution. You should first focus on learning good gas management, buoyancy control, and buddy skills. While devices such as spare air may appear appealing as a way to buy safety there is no substitute for the safety that comes with good skills and experience.
David Gallo once bubbled...
a bunch of folks were hogging the ascent line and I had no choice to do no other than hold my breath or try to snorkle with high seas
This sounds like poor gas management, poor buoyancy control, and poor buddy skills!
Gas Management -- Start up the ascent line with enough gas not only for yourself but also for your buddy to safely make it to the surface including a safety stop.
Buoyancy Control -- Unless there is a strong current there is no reason to hang onto the ascent line (other than to compensate for poor buoyancy control) just use it as a visual reference.
Buddy Skills -- If you ran out of gas on the way up you can share air from your buddy, that is assuming that your buddy properly started up the ascent line with enough gas not only for yourself but also for your buddy to safely make it to the surface including a safety stop.
The first time we dove as buddies and you came up without any gas left we would have a serious discussion on how I expect you to maintain enough air to safely get us both to the surface, just as I do for you. The second time would be the last time we dove together.
David Gallo once bubbled...
no other than hold my breath or try to snorkle with high seas....So I have this spare air thing..
If you cannot breath or snorkel on the surface with the current sea conditions you have no business diving under those conditions. What would you do if the boat wasnt there when you surfaced? Or if you had an emergency and had to surface 200 yards from the boat?
David Gallo once bubbled...
So I have this spare air thing. I need some advice about how to mount it to my bcd. Any advice would be most welcome...
My advice would be that if there is anyway you could get your money back do so. The money would be much better spent on additional training and experience.
Mike
P.S. Many of the people on ScubaBoard have forgotten what it was like to be a new to diving and come across as harsh. For the most part though they mean well and you can learn a ton from them for free! Dont let them discourage you, keep asking questions.