Recreational divers often prefer to keep their equipment loads as light as possible, and that is definitely understandable, particularly now that more of us are carrying underwater cameras with us. When determining which items are indispensable, don’t overlook the value of a redundant air supply. Spare air offers peace of mind and ensures you can be of greater help in the event a companion suffers from an out of air situation or other emergency. Spare air can make the difference between a close call and a fatality; something none of us should forget. Here, we’ll take a closer look at secondary air supplies, and we’ll discuss some cases that call for its use.
Spare Air Defined
Almost every diver knows what spare air is; however, those who are still learning the basics might need some basics. Spare air is a secondary source of breathing gas designed to be utilized in the event of an emergency. It’s not meant to be counted on as a method to extend bottom time; rather, it is for breathing in the event an out of air situation occurs, either for oneself or for a dive buddy. There are a couple of ways to carry spare air:
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A “pony” cylinder, which is basically a shorter dive tank that has a capacity of just a few liters. It can be used either as an alternate air source or as a bailout bottle that will allow for a normal ascent with a safety stop rather than a controlled emergency ascent. It can be mounted beside a standard cylinder or slung between two D-rings on your BC or harness, or it can be carried in a bag so sharing with a buddy in distress is easier.
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Compact spare air systems, which are smaller than pony cylinders, holding about three cubic feet of breathing gas. These are easier to manage, and they contain enough breathing gas to allow for a safe ascent from recreational depths.
Just like standard breathing gas, spare air or redundant air supplies need to be tested regularly to ensure that the gas mixture is safe to breathe.
Situations that Call for Redundant Air Supply Use
There are many situations that can cause an out of air emergency; people who have been saved by a secondary air supply have a wide variety of stories to tell. There are no hard and fast rules about when to carry spare air, but some examples follow.
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Solo Diving. When diving solo (something that’s not recommended but that some people decide to do), a redundant air supply is a necessity. If you decide to dive solo, you won’t be able to buddy breathe during an emergency.
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Incompatible Buddies. If you’re diving with someone who has a tendency to panic, it pays to carry spare air so that you can share your pony or compact system without having to be tethered to a panicky person while ascending. If your buddy is less experienced than you are, having spare air can give you peace of mind, since you know that neither of you will have to rely on the other in the event of an emergency. Needless to say, this is subjective and it’s up to individuals to determine whether this alone is a good reason to carry a spare air supply.
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Deeper Depths. Some divers decide no secondary air supply is necessary in very shallow water; the deeper the dive, the greater the likelihood that everyone will be carrying spare air. The definition of “shallow” is certainly arbitrary here; and again, it is up to individuals to determine whether they feel safe without a redundant air supply.
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Always Carry Secondary Air. More than ever, divers are making the decision to make a secondary air supply part of their standard kit. This is an extremely sensible approach that means you’ll never be without spare air in the event you or someone else requires it. As keeping a redundant air supply on hand is now easier than ever, not carrying it makes very little sense.
It Won’t Happen to Me!
Most diving accidents involve at least a certain degree of human error. Thinking “It won’t happen to me!” is one of the most foolish mistakes any diver can make. Overestimating one’s luck, forgetting that anything can happen underwater, and underestimating the value of spare air is a definite recipe for disaster – or at least for a very uncomfortable experience.
While making the decision to carry a redundant air supply is a major step in the right direction, it is vital that you are comfortable with using that air supply, should the need arise. Many divers who carry spare air are either uncomfortable with using it or are not at all prepared to use it in the event of an emergency; again, this can be attributed to “It won’t happen to me” thinking. Use the following tips to ensure that you are well-prepared in the event you ever need to use your redundant air supply:
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Understand how you’ll feel if your primary air supply fails. Your heart rate is likely to increase, your thoughts may become disorganized, and you may be tempted to start swimming for the surface. Knowing that rationale may desert you in the event of an emergency is the first step to stopping that from happening; instead, remind yourself that you can easily switch to your secondary air supply and be breathing from it in a matter of a few seconds, so long as you make deliberate, practiced movements.
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Practice using your spare air supply so that you gain muscle memory. This will also reduce the likelihood of panic setting in. Be sure to practice in shallow water with a reliable dive buddy or an instructor.
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Remind yourself of the importance of activating your secondary air supply before your primary breathing gas runs out, if possible. If you know that you will need to use spare air, forethought will help allay panic.
Last but not least, encourage dive buddies to carry secondary air supplies if they don’t already. Though adding another piece of equipment can initially seem like a burden, the enhanced safety and peace of mind this simple lifesaving device offers is well worth the effort involved.