The Counterfeit Problem: A Serious Safety Threat

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" was first printed back in 1824 by Charles Caleb Colton. While we understand that Spare Air's proven track record makes it a target for imitation, counterfeit emergency breathing devices pose a serious risk to your life.

Submersible Systems has spent over 45 years perfecting a product we are extremely proud of. It is difficult – if not impossible – to copy what we have learned through decades of real-world testing, engineering refinement, and life-saving deployments. Reverse engineering a Spare Air does not supply anyone with the knowledge gained from years of experience, rigorous testing, and continuous improvement.

Why Spare Air is Different: Professional Life Support Equipment

Our Market: Certified Divers and Professionals

Spare Air is designed for certified SCUBA divers and professional first responders who understand dive safety, proper equipment use, and emergency procedures. Our primary markets include:

• Certified recreational divers – Backup air for out-of-air emergencies at recreational depths
• Professional divers – Commercial, scientific, and public safety diving operations
• First responders – Police, fire, and rescue dive teams
• Military personnel – Special operations and tactical diving units
• Maritime professionals – Ship crews and offshore workers (HEED system)
• Aviation crews – Helicopter pilots and aircrew (HEED system)

We do NOT market to non-divers or casual snorkelers. Spare Air requires proper training, understanding of dive physiology, and knowledge of safe ascent procedures. Submersible Systems recommends you become certified in SCUBA before using any underwater breathing device designed to be used at depth.

The Dangerous Marketing Deception

Recently, we have discovered obvious examples of knock-offs that we worry can result in injury or death – they just don't measure up. Some counterfeit manufacturers have copied our marketing messages, and we don't want you to be confused about the difference between professional life support equipment and cheap imitations.

Stolen Marketing Messages

Over 20 years ago, Spare Air established marketing phrases like:

• "A diver's reserve parachute" – Emphasizing that just as skydivers need backup systems at 2,000 feet up, divers need them at 80 feet underwater
• "THERE WHEN YOU NEED IT" – Our company motto highlighting reliability when your life depends on it

These phrases have been used in magazine advertisements for decades and are part of our established brand identity. Some counterfeit manufacturers have copied these exact phrases to confuse consumers and piggyback on our reputation.

Known Counterfeit Brands to Avoid

There are several models of counterfeit "mini scuba tank" units for sale in many countries. They are ALL manufactured in China and private labeled for resellers, so you may see them marketed under different names.

Critical Differences: Why Counterfeits Are Dangerous

Feature	Authentic Spare Air	Counterfeits
Manufacturing	Made in USA, ISO 9001:2015 certified	Made in China, no quality certifications
DOT Certification	DOT certified cylinders, legal in USA	NOT DOT certified, illegal to fill in USA
Target Market	Certified divers, professionals, first responders	Non-divers, casual snorkelers (dangerous!)
Depth Rating	Designed for recreational diving depths	Cannot be safely used at diving depths
Service Network	Global dealer network for service & hydro-testing	No service network, must ship to China
Customer Support	Real people in California, phone & email support	Slow or non-existent support
Dive Shop Support	Reputable dive shops will fill and service	Dive shops refuse to fill non-DOT cylinders
Longevity	Customers using units for 45+ years with service	Thrown away when they stop working

The DOT Certification Problem

This is critical: The tanks produced for counterfeit devices are NOT DOT certified and have not received a DOT stamp, making them illegal to use in the United States.

Reputable dive shops will NOT fill or support these products because:

• Filling non-DOT cylinders violates federal regulations
• Dive shops can lose their liability insurance
• The cylinders have not been tested to U.S. safety standards
• There is no way to verify the cylinder's integrity or pressure rating

Without the ability to refill your device at a dive shop, you're left with an expensive paperweight.

The Service and Support Problem

Servicing breathing devices regularly is critical to keep them working! Your life depends on your emergency air source functioning when you need it most.

Spare Air Service Network:

• Authorized dealers and distributors around the globe
• Regulator service and repair by trained technicians
• Hydro-testing to ensure cylinder safety
• Replacement parts readily available
• Direct support from our California headquarters
• Customers have used their Spare Air units for over 45 years with regular service

Counterfeit "Support":

• No authorized service network
• Must ship product back to China for repairs
• Slow or non-existent customer support
• No replacement parts available
• Most users throw the unit away when it stops working

We have heard from countless frustrated consumers who purchased counterfeits, tried to get service, and ended up discarding the unit when it failed.

Marketing to Non-Divers: A Recipe for Disaster

One of the most dangerous aspects of counterfeit "mini scuba" devices is their marketing to non-certified, inexperienced users such as:

• Casual snorkelers with no dive training
• Pool users and swimmers
• People who want to "try diving" without certification
• Tourists looking for a quick underwater experience

This is extremely dangerous. Using compressed air underwater requires understanding of:

• Dive physiology – How pressure affects your body
• Decompression sickness – The bends and how to avoid it
• Nitrogen narcosis – Impaired judgment at depth
• Barotrauma – Lung over-expansion injuries from rapid ascent
• Proper ascent rates – Ascending too quickly can be fatal
• Emergency procedures – What to do when things go wrong

Spare Air is designed for certified divers who understand these risks. We market exclusively to the diving community, first responders, and professionals who have proper training.

Why We Get Grouped with Counterfeits (And Why That's Wrong)

Unfortunately, Submersible Systems sometimes gets grouped together with counterfeit manufacturers in online searches and comparisons. This is fundamentally wrong and dangerous.

Here's the difference:

Red Flags: How to Spot Counterfeits

Protect yourself by watching for these warning signs:

Where to Buy Authentic Spare Air

Spare Air authentic products are sold ONLY through:

• Quality dive shops worldwide – Authorized dealers who can provide service and support
• Authorized distributors – Vetted partners in the diving industry
• Submersible Systems directly – Our official website and online store

Beware of heavily discounted online stores or promotions – you are likely buying a counterfeit or being subjected to a scam.

Our Commitment: Quality Over Imitation

Submersible Systems, Inc. specializes in making "The Original" Spare Air for SCUBA divers (read why Larry Williamson invented Spare Air) and HEED (Helicopter Emergency Egress Device) for military applications regarding waterborne emergencies.

We don't make anything else that would distract us from our commitment to making the most reliable redundant emergency SCUBA device.

This singular focus means:

• All our engineering expertise goes into perfecting emergency breathing systems
• We maintain rigorous quality standards because lives depend on it
• We continuously improve based on real-world feedback from divers and professionals
• We invest in proper testing, certification, and manufacturing processes

Trust Your Life to Professionals

Submersible Systems takes your safety very seriously and is worried that consumers will see counterfeit products as replacements for proven, established products like Spare Air. The quality of counterfeits, along with slow or non-existent customer support, poses a serious risk to your safety.