{"id":799,"date":"2019-11-05T09:45:52","date_gmt":"2019-11-05T09:45:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diveinfo.sorca.tgchosting.net\/wp\/?p=799"},"modified":"2023-05-03T14:04:18","modified_gmt":"2023-05-03T14:04:18","slug":"alternative-air-sources-life-savers-you-should-never-ignore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diving-info.com\/alternative-air-sources-life-savers-you-should-never-ignore\/","title":{"rendered":"Alternative Air Sources: Life Savers You Should Never Ignore"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you ever underestimated how much air you will need while underwater?  This is a common problem among both experienced and beginner divers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statistics show that many of the dives that result in death happened when one diver was out of air.  You might encounter various problems like a gas leak in your scuba tank while diving<\/a>. It\u2019s imperative to plan and use an alternate air source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although you may swim with a full-sized tank, this could be tiresome.  It\u2019s for this reason why many types of technical diving need an independent alternate air source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nonetheless, the most recommended is the octopus regulator. The alternative air sources are only meant for an emergency<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each diver has his or her preference depending on the situation. Some divers would rather have two alternative air sources for one dive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosing an Alternative Air Source<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With many options in the market, it can be daunting and overwhelming to settle on one alternative air source.  It\u2019s recommended to work with a similar brand. Using different brands can void EN testing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You also need to choose a quality product from a reputable brand. \u00a0While the cheapest scuba air supply may seem like a cost-saving option, it could put your life at risk. \u00a0A leaky or poor performing unit might make your breathing difficult. \u00a0Go for a product that meets your budget and one that has met certain quality standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alternative Air Sources<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are alternative air sources you need to check out. The main ones include Spare Air and Pony Bottles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spare Air<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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Larry Williamson is the brain behind Spare Air.  Larry designed the gadget after he ran out of the air on a deep dive.  Although he\u2019d gone with a friend, he wasn\u2019t near. He struggled to get to the surface using the air<\/a> left in his lungs but blacked out near the surface. The diving crew saved his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spare Air first hit the market in 1979. Divers use the Spare Air Model 170 which boasts of a maximum capacity of 48 liters or 1.7 cu ft.  You can find a larger version with a capacity of 85 liters which also features a Nitrox version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The one thing you\u2019ll love about Spare Air is that it comes in smaller bottles. This means you can attach it to the BCD. You can also pass it to your buddy the larger model can give you up to 57 breaths at a surface pressure<\/a>; this allows you to surface from 30 meters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beginner divers tend to stick to shallow depths while practicing their skills.  However, new divers find Spare Air an excellent choice as it needs minimal training on how to use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to note that Spare Air is only meant for dives that do not need decompression. In case you end up in a difficult situation, you can apply the nozzle to your mouth and safely come up<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find this bottle easy to carry on a plane as you can remove the regulator from the tank. Afterward, you can refill the bottle from a scuba cylinder, a hand pump, or personal breathing compressor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there\u2019s any disadvantage here, it\u2019s that there may not be enough air to get the diver back up and out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pony Bottles<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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Pony bottles are more advanced compared to Spare Air. These bottles have a higher air capacity as they have a standard two-stage regulator. In fact, pony bottles act as an extension of the scuba set. They have different gauges and regulators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In case of an emergency, all you need is to attach the bottle to the main air supply using a connector. You can then open the valve.  The bottles are available in 6, 13, and 19 cubic feet. The 13 cubic feet one is the most popular and can supply enough air to allow you to make a safe ascent to the surface. This size also works best for recreational dives that do not need a decompression stop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are 30 and 40 cu.ft bottles if you\u2019re an adventurous diver who enjoys deeper dives.  The bigger bottles have decompression stops while the smaller ones work best when you\u2019re looking for a safe ascent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can fix the pony bottle to the main scuba tank<\/a> using straps or the clamps. This not only keeps them away from your workspace, but it also provides convenient access.  It\u2019s critical to understand that the pony bottle is not a stage bottle. It\u2019s only meant for out of air cases, and should not be a part of your dive plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disadvantages of the Pony Bottle:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n