SPARE AIR PUTS SELF-RESCUE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS! Spare Air is always on and ready to use. No knobs to twist, no buttons to push. Just life-giving air!
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| In the event of an emergency simply remove Spare Air from holster. | Place regulator in your mouth and press purge button or exhale sharply to clear water. | Begin ascent to the surface immediately breathing normally. | You can even pass Spare Air to a buddy. Spare Air has been proven to be faster than buddy breathing and easier than an octopus. |
With self-rescue, you're in control!
How much air will Spare Air give me?
Spare Air's initial concept by Larry Williamson, after the night he nearly drowned, was to give divers one more breath. Historically, divers were trained to make an emergency swimming ascent on their last breath of air, so even one more breath would have been helpful. That idea evolved into giving divers enough air in a compact system to safely get them to the surface from 100 feet with several extra breaths. The original Spare Air, which sold for the first 10 years, contained approximately 30 breaths at the surface, or 1.7 cubic feet of air. Letters received from divers around the world gave proof to the product's ability to save lives.
Over time, a larger model was made, and Spare Air now has 57 breaths at the surface, or 3.0 cubic feet of air (approximately two - five minutes). In most diving situations, rising to the surface from recreational depths takes only a few breaths and no more than a few minutes. In an emergency situation, the same rules can apply if you're prepared. All divers should be trained and up to date in all the latest safety techniques, and Spare Air gives you the additional tool you need in an emergency.
Should I practice with Spare Air?
We recommend that prior to diving with Spare Air for the first time, you attach it to your BC using the Covered Holster, put the BC on and practice removing Spare Air from its Holster. Next, we recommend you breathe the unit dry ABOVE water, count the number of breaths you receive and get comfortable with the unit. Finally, on a normal dive, we recommend that you do a practice ascent* with Spare Air from recreational depths so you know how many breaths it will give you (will vary depending on your lung capacity, weight, temperature of the water, activity level, etc.) Remember, in an emergency, you should begin your ascent to the surface immediately so testing Spare Air in this manner, as opposed to testing how many breaths it gives you at a specific depth, is more realistic.
Will I have enough air to make a safety stop?
Each dive emergency is unique, as is each dive profile. Depending on how far into the dive the emergency occurs, a safety stop may or may not be necessary. Not all emergencies are running out of air. Many equipment failures can occur anytime in the dive (click here to read the 21 Ways Divers Run Out of Air). Depending on the depth, your lung capacity, weight, etc., there may be additional air for a safety stop. Read the real-life stories received from customers who share their experiences from various depths and various situations. In many cases, customers reported that because they had Spare Air with them they felt more prepared, remained calmer than they thought they would be in an emergency and therefore made a much more controlled ascent.
* To avoid flooding, do not breathe the unit completely dry in a practice ascent underwater.
Warning! This product is to be used underwater by certified divers only.
With just 2 simple clicks, Spare Air can be mounted to your BC and you're ready to go diving!
Using the Covered Holster included in the Spare Air package, mounting is quick and easy, and keeps Spare Air close at hand - yet you don't even know you're wearing it.
Depending on your equipment and the way it is set-up, you can mount Spare Air anywhere that is most convenient for you such as:
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| Upside down on your tank strap |
Vertical on your BC strap |
Diagonal using your tank strap and d-ring |
Additional mounting features:
straps to mount the Spare Air on your BC, tank, or wherever you desire.
SPARE AIR IS QUICK AND EASY TO REFILL!
Have you ever filled a bike tire? Refilling Spare Air is just as easy. One of the best features of Spare Air is that you can simply and easily refill it yourself - allowing you to be in control of your own safety.
Spare Air is easily refilled from your own SCUBA tank in about 1 minute. Simply attach the adapter that is included in every Spare Air package to your own SCUBA tank. There is no need to make a separate trip to the dive store to get Spare Air refilled.
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Remove the protective plastic cap from the check valve located next to the Pressure Indicator. Remember to replace the cap after filling to protect the check valve from dust and dirt. |
Gently attach the Yoke Adapter to your Spare Air by screwing the narrow end to the one-way check valve. |
Place the Yoke Adapter on a filled 3000 psi SCUBA Tank. Tighten the Yoke onto the tank valve. |
Slowly turn the air flow on. When the valve is open completely and the sound of air passing through the Adapter stops, your Spare Air is full. Only minimal air will be used from your tank. |
Every Spare Air includes a standard pressure indicator. When the white stem is elevated as shown, your Spare Air is full. For a more accurate reading, an optional Dial Gauge is available.
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Standard Pressure Indicator's white pin is depressed when the pressure inside a Spare Air is below the recommended pressure for optimum operation. |
When the white pin is extended even with the top of the Pressure Indicator, your Spare Air is filled for optimum operation. |
If you want to know the exact pressure within your Spare Air, the optional Dial Gauge shows tank pressure in 200 psi increments. |
Traveling with your Spare Air is as easy as with a regular SCUBA Tank.
Flying: The war on terrorism has created greater travel restrictions. PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA):
Helpful Links:
TSA website page about Transporting SCUBA Equipment.
TSA website Customer Service page with links and information about how to recover confiscated equipment and submitting claims.
List of Permitted and Prohibited Items by the TSA.
How to Fly with Spare Air
When carrying SPARE AIR on a commercial aircraft, the system must be empty and according to TSA regulations, the regulator must be unscrewed from the cylinder so they can be sure that it is empty.
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Travel Pack and Regulator Diaphragm / O ring Assembly |
| SPARE AIR TRAVEL PACK includes plastic protective caps for both the regulator and cylinder threads and additional o-rings all in a durable, reusable plastic pouch. P/N 963 IN STOCK NOW!!! Click to order. | |
One of the best features of Spare Air is that it's always on and ready to go diving at a moments notice. Simply follow the few steps below to keep your Spare Air in tip-top condition.
BEFORE YOU DIVE WITH SPARE AIR
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Check the Pressure Pin Indicator on the regulator to make sure the unit is full. |
If Spare Air is not completely full, top off following the simple refilling instructions. |
Mount Spare Air securely in the Covered Holster and you are ready to dive. |
AFTER YOU DIVE WITH SPARE AIR
As with all SCUBA equipment, Spare Air should be periodically maintained.
"I travel out to an offshore oil rig by helicopter (90mins). I keep my spare air in case of emergancy landing and possible submersion of the helicopter"
(thanks Davie B.)
"I keep one on my 40' boat to use for both emergency repairs and just normal checking of the bottom and zincs. If I hit an object the Spare Air gives much needed time to get overboard quick, see what the problem is and make emergency underwater repairs. In addition, I can check my rudders, shafts, props, zincs, etc with ease and even change zincs without the expense of hauling the boat."
(thanks Roy H.)
Use a Spare Air to recover something in shallow water. When something drops overboard, sometimes the only chance to rescue the items is right when it falls in. Grab your Spare Air, don a mask and dive in. Not recommended for deep diving.
Free an anchor. When we're ready to enter or leave a dive site, it takes no time at all to grab a mask and Spare Air, jump in the water and free up the anchor without destroying the choral or other sea life.
Snorkeling. Use your Spare Air unit as an accessory for snorkeling. If you see something worth exploring, exchange your snorkel for your Spare Air and take a closer look.
(thanks Andrew L.)
Free a prop. With inboard motors and crab traps that you cant always see, I use it to cut the rope free from the props.
(thanks Dave H.)
Fire Safety. Keep your FILLED Spare Air next to your bed in case of a fire in your home.
(thanks Jeff D.)
Editors Note: According to the Children's Hospital Boston, "The majority of fire-related deaths (75 percent) are caused by smoke inhalation of the toxic gases produced by fires."
Make quick pool repairs. If you find yourself with a stuck hydrostatic value at the bottom of your swim pool, or other repair, it is much easier to to use your spare air to work on the problem
(thanks Steven B.)
Editors Note: Clean your equipment after use by rinsing with clean water. This is especially important when exposing your Spare Air to swimming pool chemicals.
Explore! When you are at a lake and you want to see what's under the dock or just under the water, grab your Spare Air and go explore.
(thanks Aaron P.)
Self Rescue. As an Ultralight float plane pilot, I keep my Spare Air attached to my inflatable life preserver. It serves as extra piece of mind when landing in sea chop or glossy lakes. If I flip over, I have my Spare Air and knife to free myself.
(thanks Ron N.)
Submersible Systems offers a modified Spare Air call the HEED 3 - designed especially as a Helicopter Emergency Egress Device and packaged with a custom holster designed for attaching to flight vests and mollie type vests. For more information, visit heed3.com
Avalanche Survival. My buddy uses his Spare Air while snow boarding and skiing. Our mutual friend got stuck in an avalanche and was buried, with no injuries he died only of suffocation before he could be rescued. If he had a Spare Air both of us would still have a great friend.
(thanks David M.)
Editors Note: The Spare Air is used in many rescue and safety situations, including by the military for Emergency Helicopter Egress. For extreme sports, Submersible Systems offers the convenient Spare Air Xtreme Sport
This could be your tip or trick. Submit one today!
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