| While most divers never expect to run out of air, the | | | | 45 feet. While the physical size is appealing, I prefer a |
| topic of a bail out bottles will come up sooner or | | | | little more air. |
| later. During your initial training you were taught how | | | | The H2Oddesy is a full 6 cubic foot tank. This will get |
| to use your buddy's safe second or even how to | | | | you from 132 feet all the way to the surface. The |
| buddy breath on your buddy's regulator. The use of | | | | cost is pretty reasonable at $299 for the emergency |
| a bail out bottle is barely covered. | | | | air. |
| Bail out bottles come in a couple very specific | | | | The problem with the H2Oddesy is that a diver can |
| designs: | | | | get a 13 cubic foot tank, spare standard first stage |
| - Integrated first and second stage regulator into the | | | | regulator with a second stage, a pressure gauge and |
| bottle. | | | | a bracket or holding bag for about $399. This type of |
| - Stand alone tank with a standard first stage and | | | | setup will not only allow both you and your buddy to |
| second stage regulator. | | | | the surface, but now you will have a backup |
| Which one is for you? well that will depend on your | | | | regulator if needed on the dive trip. |
| type of diving. I have always believed that if you | | | | There could be some travel considerations for you |
| carry a bail out bottle, it should be enough to get you | | | | and your bail out bottle. Remember that when |
| from depth to the surface. | | | | traveling on an airplane, all Scuba tanks must be |
| The integrated first and second stage regulator into | | | | empty to be placed on board the plane. If you forget |
| the bottle usually costs less, but you get less air. | | | | your fill adapter on the Spare Air, some dive shops |
| These types of bottles are the Spare Air and | | | | cannot fill it. |
| H2Oddesy products. The Spare Air comes in two | | | | When do I use a bail out bottle? It is usually on |
| popular sizes; 3.0 cubic foot and 1.7 cubic foot | | | | advanced dives to 130 feet or diving off of a ship |
| models. The 3.0 size will get you to the surface from | | | | wreck. For those simple beach dives, I usually skip |
| 70 feet. The 1.7 size will get you to the surface from | | | | hauling the extra equipment. |