Types of Alternate Air SourcesAlternate air sources usually just sit their taking up space. They are the forgotten; the least thought about major piece of equipment in a diver’s arsenal. Octopus
This is the one most everyone knows. An octopus is a redundant second stage regulator that’s usually on a long hose. The regulator is usually a bright yellow or green, just like the photo above, so that it’s easily recognisable in an emergency situation. This is the least expensive of your alternate air source options. Good octopus regulators usually run about a hundred bucks. As long as you keep them maintained as you would your primary regulator, an octopus will perform famously in an emergency. Unfortunately if your regulator’s first stage fails or you otherwise run out of air, your octopus is useless. In a situation like this you’d better hope your buddy has enough air to get you both back to the surface safely. In addition, the long hoses used with an octopus can be unwieldy and prone to snagging the reef. It’s also one more hose that could get severed if you brush up against something sharp like the side of a shipwreck. BC OctosOkay so I stole a term from Zeagle, but I don’t know how else to describe it.These devices work under the same premise as a traditional octopus does, except these are attached to your BC’s low pressure inflator hose. Zeagle calls their version the Octo, but other companies have similar variations that go by a range of proprietary names. Whereas a traditional octopus is meant to be handed off to your buddy, a BC Octo is meant to be used by you. Your regulator gets passed to your buddy and you use the BC Octo. Though these guys are generally about 35 – 50% more expensive than your traditional octopus, they are much more streamlined. With a BC Octo you eliminate an entire hose from your equipment. That’s one less thing to snag and one less hose to worry about. However, these Octos suffer from the same shortcomings of a traditional octopus; if you run out of air or your first stage fails, you and your buddy are screwed. Spare AirNow we move up the chain a little in price to the Spare Air.This device is a small tank (usually 1.7 or 3 cubic feet) with a modified regulator directly attached. A Spare Air will generally run about $200 to $250 or so. They’re small and easy to attach to your equipment. Their bright yellow color also makes them easy to find in an emergency. The main benefit of a Spare Air is that it’s a completely redundant air supply. However, its small size means that you may only get a few breaths if you’re diving deeper than 18 metres/sixty feet. Pony BottlesThe pony bottle is the ultimate in safety.A completely redundant air source, first and second stage regulator, with enough air to get you safely to the surface. Many times you’ll even have enough air for a safety stop. The main disadvantages to a pony bottle are price ($350 or so for a full set-up) and bulk. These suckers are much bigger than Spare Airs and will take up a considerable about of space whether you decide to mount it on D-rings or your tank. As always, take the type of diving you do into account when choosing your alternate air sources. Pony bottles would be overkill for a 60 foot drift dive, and BC Octos would be unthinkable in cave diving! When in doubt, ask your local dive shop operator. Good luck and safe diving! Return to Underwater Diving Equipment Home Page.
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