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GENERAL |
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Why
do I need one / why should I buy one? |
SPARE AIR is the smallest redundant SCUBA system available
yet is packed with 3000 psi to provide you with enough
air to get you to the surface in an emergency from recreational depths. It
is so small and compact anybody can carry one diving. Take safety into
your own hands - buy a SPARE AIR! |
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Are they refillable? |
Yes, SPARE AIR can be refilled easily either off your
own SCUBA tank or off a store or boat
air compressor. |
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How
big are they? |
They are so small and compact anyone can carry them diving!
SPARE AIR is the smallest redundant SCUBA system available yet is packed
with 3000 psi to provide you with enough air to get you to the surface
in an emergency. The 170 model is a little bigger
than the size of a coke can and the
300 model
is similar to the size of a can of hairspray.
Click
here for detailed specifications. |
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Which
size should I buy? |
The
300 model is our most popular
size with recreational divers and is also
offered in a Nitrox version for those of you
who dive with Nitrox. The 170 model
is popular with instructors/professional divers and for diving in
shallower depths. |
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How
much air do they hold/what pressure? |
SPARE AIR is designed to get someone to the surface in
the event of an emergency. The SPARE AIR family consists of three models
all at a pressure of 3000 psi. The 170 model holds 1.7 cubic feet of air
or approximately 30 breaths at the surface, the 300 model and the 300-N
Nitrox model hold 3.0 cubic feet of air or approximately 57 breaths at
the surface. |
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Do
you need to be a certified diver to use SPARE AIR underwater? |
Yes, during diving classes you learn the proper way to
breathe from compressed air without causing serious harm to yourself.
SPARE AIR is a piece of diving equipment and all rules that apply to diving,
apply to the use of SPARE AIR. |
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Do you need to be a certified diver to use SPARE AIR for
above water out-of-air emergencies? |
Many customers use SPARE AIR for above water emergency
situations and in those cases, there is no certification necessary for
above ground use. |
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Where
can I mount it? |
SPARE AIR units come with a Holster that
allows you to mount the SPARE AIR virtually anywhere! Two
quick disconnect straps connect the Holster on the front of the BC
cummerbund, on your tank strap or anywhere on your BC that you choose. |
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PURCHASING |
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Where can I purchase one? |
We recommend you check first with your local
SPARE AIR dive shop. Click here to find a dealer
near you. Purchase a SPARE AIR direct from us on our Online Store. |
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How
much do they cost? |
SPARE AIR is sold in packages that include
the SPARE AIR unit of choice, the Holster, Safety Leash and
Refill Adapter. Suggested
retail for the 300 package
is $299. $299 for
170 package and $330 for the Nitrox
package. |
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How can I get a dial gauge for my SPARE AIR? |
An optional dial gauge pressure indicator is available
to replace the standard pressure pin indicator. You can purchase one right
now at our Online SPARE AIR Parts & Accessories
Shopping Cart or visit your local SPARE AIR
Dealer. |
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TECHNICAL
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Do
they work well in different water temperatures? |
Yes, they have been tested and proven effective
in all diving conditions. |
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What
is the recommended depth? |
The SPARE AIR model 300 is designed for recreational
diving limits of less than 130 feet, and the 170 model is designed for
recreational diving limits of less than 100 feet. |
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How
accurate is the Dial Gauge (#003DGS)? |
The Dial Gauge shows increments of 200 psi and is accurate
within 5%, which is standard for gauges. |
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How
long should it take to fill a SPARE AIR / what is the average safe filling
time? |
It should take approximately 1 minute to fill a
3.0 cu ft SPARE AIR and approximately 45 seconds to fill a 1.7 cu ft SPARE AIR.
Open your SCUBA tanks valve slowly to control the air flow to fill
slowly for best results. |
| Does
the Spare Air affect buoyancy? |
The SPARE AIR is light
weighing only 2.17 lbs. (Model 300). When filled with 3 cu ft of
air, the unit is about neutrally buoyant. It should not affect
overall buoyancy when mounted on a SCUBA Diver.
(Thanks Bob A. for this info and
suggestion.) |
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REPAIR/
MAINTENANCE
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How
long is the warranty period? |
SPARE AIR units have a one-year warranty from the date
of purchase. |
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What
maintenance does SPARE AIR require? |
The unit should be
removed from its holster, rinsed off in fresh water after every
dive, dried, stored full of air, and taken to an authorized repair facility for an overhaul
once a year. Click here to find the closest SPARE
AIR Dealer to you. Click here to send your
SPARE AIR to us for Annual Overhaul. |
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Do
the 3000 psi cylinders have to be hydro tested? |
Yes, all SPARE AIR 3000 psi cylinders need to be VIP tested
once every year and hydro tested once every 5 years. |
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Do
the 1800 psi cylinders have to be hydro tested? |
No, all older SPARE AIR 1800 psi cylinders are exempt from hydro
testing, but do require annual visual inspections. |
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I
need a part to repair my SPARE AIR. Can I order the part from you? |
Your can purchase the SPARE AIR part if it is external /
cosmetic. Examples are: Mouthpiece, Snap Ring, Check Valve Cap, etc. If
your SPARE AIR is in need of an external part, please visit our
Online
Store and order your SPARE AIR part or accessory today. If the
part is internal, it requires installation by an authorized SPARE AIR
technician. Please take your unit to an Authorized
SPARE AIR Dive Shop or send to us for repair.
Click
here for Repair / Maintenance Form. |
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Can
I upgrade my unit to a Nitrox model / use a standard SPARE AIR with Nitrox?
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We recommend purchasing the
Nitrox
ready SPARE AIR. For any other information on Nitrox conversion, you
should consult with a store that specializes in Nitrox. |
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FLYING WITH SPARE AIR |
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What do I need to do to
take Spare Air on commercial aircraft? |
When carrying SPARE AIR on a commercial
aircraft, the system must be empty and TSA prefers that the regulator be
unscrewed from the cylinder so they can be sure that it is empty.
For more information, visit our Traveling
With a Spare Air page.
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What affect will flying
at various altitudes have on my SPARE AIR? |
Flying at various altitudes should not
produce any negative effects on the product. It has been used by the Navy,
Air Force & private pilots for over 15 years now at various flight
attitudes with no negative effects. |
