Using Spare Air

Using Spare Air

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!

Emergency Self-Rescue Steps

Step 1: Remove Spare Air from Holster

Step 1 - Remove Spare Air from holster in emergency

In the event of an emergency, simply remove Spare Air from its holster. The unit is designed for quick, one-handed deployment even in stressful situations.

Step 2: Place the Spare Air Regulator in Your Mouth

Step 2 - Place regulator in mouth and purge or exhale sharply

Place the regulator in your mouth and press the purge button or exhale sharply to clear any water from the mouthpiece.

Step 3: Ascend Immediately Breathing Normally

Step 3 - Begin ascent to surface breathing normally through Spare Air

Begin your ascent to the surface immediately, breathing normally through your Spare Air. Remember to never hold your breath while ascending.

Step 4: Pass Your Spare Air to a Buddy

Step 4 - Share Spare Air with buddy in emergency

You can even pass Spare Air to a buddy when they have an emergency. Spare Air has been proven to be faster than buddy breathing and easier than using an octopus regulator.

With Self-Rescue, You're in Control!

Spare Air empowers you to handle your own emergency without relying on a buddy's proximity or availability. This independence can be critical in situations where your buddy is not immediately accessible or is dealing with their own emergency.

See Spare Air in Action

Emergency Ascent from 75 Feet

Do you have a minute to spare? Watch this demonstration showing how to use Spare Air in an emergency ascent from 75 feet.

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 32 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.

Current Spare Air Models:

Model Cubic Feet Breaths at Surface Best For
Spare Air 170 1.7 cu ft ~32 breaths Ultra-compact backup for shallow dives
Spare Air 300 3.0 cu ft ~57 breaths Most popular - ideal balance of size and capacity
Spare Air 600 6.0 cu ft ~114 breaths Maximum air supply for deeper recreational dives

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.

View detailed air duration charts by depth →

Should I Practice with Spare Air?

Yes! We strongly recommend practicing with your Spare Air before relying on it in an emergency.

Recommended Practice Routine:

  1. Familiarization Above Water: Attach Spare Air to your BC using the Covered Holster, put the BC on, and practice removing Spare Air from its holster multiple times until the motion becomes automatic.
  2. Breathing Test (Surface): Breathe the unit dry ABOVE water. Count the number of breaths you receive and get comfortable with the breathing resistance and feel of the unit. This helps you understand your personal air consumption rate.
  3. Practice Ascent (Underwater): On a normal dive, perform a practice ascent* with Spare Air from recreational depths so you know how many breaths it will give you. Results will vary depending on:
    • Your lung capacity
    • Body weight and composition
    • Water temperature
    • Activity level and stress
    • Depth and pressure

Remember: In an emergency, you should begin your ascent to the surface immediately. Testing Spare Air during a controlled ascent, as opposed to testing how many breaths it gives you at a specific depth, is more realistic and practical.

* Important: To avoid flooding the regulator, do not breathe the unit completely dry during a practice ascent underwater. Leave a small amount of air pressure in the cylinder.

Will I Have Enough Air to Make a Safety Stop?

Each dive emergency is unique, as is each dive profile. The ability to make a safety stop depends on several factors:

Factors to Consider:

  • Depth of Emergency: How far into the dive the emergency occurs affects whether a safety stop is necessary
  • Type of Emergency: Not all emergencies are running out of air. Many equipment failures can occur at any time during a dive. Read about the 21 ways divers run out of air →
  • Your Air Consumption: Lung capacity, weight, stress level, and activity all affect how long your Spare Air will last
  • Spare Air Model: Larger models (6.0 cu ft) provide more air for safety stops than smaller models (1.7 cu ft)

Real-World Experiences:

Read the real-life stories received from customers who share their experiences from various depths and situations. In many cases, customers reported that because they had Spare Air with them:

  • They felt more prepared and confident
  • They remained calmer than expected during the emergency
  • They made a much more controlled ascent
  • They had sufficient air for their specific situation

Depending on the depth and circumstances, additional air may be required for a safety stop. The psychological benefit of having Spare Air—knowing you have backup air—often helps divers stay calm and make better decisions during emergencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can I deploy Spare Air in an emergency?

With proper holster mounting and practice, Spare Air can be deployed in 2-3 seconds. The always-on design means there are no valves to open or buttons to press—just grab, purge, and breathe.

Can I use Spare Air as my primary air source?

No. Spare Air is designed as an emergency backup air source only. Always dive with a properly sized primary tank and adequate air supply for your planned dive profile.

What if I panic and breathe too fast?

This is why practice is so important. Familiarizing yourself with Spare Air in controlled conditions helps build muscle memory and confidence. In an actual emergency, the presence of backup air often reduces panic and helps you maintain controlled breathing.

Can I share Spare Air with my buddy?

Yes! Spare Air can be passed to a buddy in distress. Studies have shown that Spare Air buddy rescue is faster than traditional buddy breathing and easier to execute than using an octopus regulator, especially in stressful situations.

How do I know if my Spare Air is ready to use?

Check your pressure indicator before every dive. The pin should be flush with the surface (indicating 3000 PSI), or if you have the optional dial gauge, it should read in the green zone. Learn about pre-dive checks →

What's the proper ascent rate when using Spare Air?

Follow standard safe ascent rates: no faster than 30 feet per minute (or 9 meters per minute). Even in an emergency, a controlled ascent is safer than a rapid, panicked ascent.

Does water temperature affect Spare Air performance?

Cold water can affect regulator performance and also increases your air consumption rate due to denser air. If diving in water below 50°F (10°C), ensure your Spare Air regulator is serviced with cold-water compatible components.

Can I use Spare Air for solo diving?

While Spare Air provides an independent backup air source, solo diving requires additional training, equipment, and planning beyond just having backup air. Consult your certification agency's guidelines for solo diving requirements.

Safety Warnings

⚠️ WARNING!

This product is to be used underwater by certified divers only.

  • Never hold your breath while ascending
  • Always exhale continuously if air runs out during ascent
  • Do not exceed safe ascent rates (30 ft/min maximum)
  • Spare Air is not a substitute for proper dive planning
  • Ensure proper training in emergency procedures
  • Check pressure before every dive

Related Resources

Ready to add the ultimate dive safety backup?
Shop Spare Air Now