Spare air-useful or not

[TJDiver]

Originally Posted by russp

Wait, isn't contradicting himself a requirement to run for office?

Yeah, but only the best politicians do it AFTER elected.

[mm2002]

OK, someone has to say it:


GRIN for President!

[RonFrank]

The best spare air you will find is in your dive buddies tank!

I purchased a CF19 tank and reg after diving in Coz, and realizing that it maybe impossible for me to get to a buddy quickly in heavy current. So it was that, or holding hands!

IMO spare air is a big waste of money, and for the same price you can equip yourself with a pony and reg. I've read too many spare air gone wrong stories on the boards.

I guess it's better than nothing, but my first question is always, where is your buddy? If you plan on diving solo, one requirement for anything but shallow reefs is redundant air, and IMO spare air does not qualify as a *safe* alternative.

[heytarzan]

This seems to be the post that never dies, but having spent the 45 minutes to read through the chain, I decided I wanted to test my spare air 3.0cf. I headed to the pool at the gym and decided to see just how long the little gizmo would last under stress conditions - so I mixed it into my laps.

Now my average lap is 13-15 strokes per 25 meter length, 4-5 breaths. Knowing the SA advertises 50 breaths, I figured I'd try to swim it underwater - you know high air demand of actual swimming to simulate stress....

Was thinking I'd get 3-4 laps, but it was empty after 1.5 laps. That's at the surface... holy shnikeys that little bottle is gonna kill me if I ever really need it.

[Tekdivr]

Originally Posted by heytarzan

This seems to be the post that never dies, but having spent the 45 minutes to read through the chain, I decided I wanted to test my spare air 3.0cf. I headed to the pool at the gym and decided to see just how long the little gizmo would last under stress conditions - so I mixed it into my laps.

Now my average lap is 13-15 strokes per 25 meter length, 4-5 breaths. Knowing the SA advertises 50 breaths, I figured I'd try to swim it underwater - you know high air demand of actual swimming to simulate stress....

Was thinking I'd get 3-4 laps, but it was empty after 1.5 laps. That's at the surface... holy shnikeys that little bottle is gonna kill me if I ever really need it.

Your test just brought home a validated point that all have been saying that don't agree with the concept of relying on a spare air. Thanks for sharing that info!

[navyhmc]

Originally Posted by heytarzan

This seems to be the post that never dies, but having spent the 45 minutes to read through the chain, I decided I wanted to test my spare air 3.0cf. I headed to the pool at the gym and decided to see just how long the little gizmo would last under stress conditions - so I mixed it into my laps.

Now my average lap is 13-15 strokes per 25 meter length, 4-5 breaths. Knowing the SA advertises 50 breaths, I figured I'd try to swim it underwater - you know high air demand of actual swimming to simulate stress....

Was thinking I'd get 3-4 laps, but it was empty after 1.5 laps. That's at the surface... holy shnikeys that little bottle is gonna kill me if I ever really need it.

Actually, it not going to kill you, but it valdates what it is: a cesa support device. If you need it, you best have a plan ahead of time and be heading up as you start using it. Your ascent may be a little faster than 30' per min and you have no safety stop. However, since you were able to 1.5 laps, that equals about 90' so if you make that vertical feet, you know how deep you can be for your assisted cesa. and that's the important thing.

[terfmop]

Just got back from Cozumel and I brought my 19cu ft pony along with me. My 19cu ft fit easily in my luggage with the valve removedand a clear plastic bag placed over the tank opening. I had zero problems with transporting the tank from my house to the hotel. I dropped my tank off at our dive operator with a request to have it filled. They accepted the tank and said it would be on the boat the next day (they filled all their tanks at a central location). The tank arrived the next morning and I was able to dive with my slung 19cu ft pony. We were all rec divers on the boat, and I got a few questions from other spare air holders about my tank (the ease of slinging, the configurations, etc..). Seeing as I had ZERO problems in transporting my 19 cu ft pony, ZERO problems in having it filled, I don't really think the argument that a Spare Aire is easier to travel with applies.

[navyhmc]

Way cool Terfmop! I may have to copy that idea when (wife say "IF") I get to Coz or other locale!