Bailout bottles are a subject that Scuba divers have rather strong opinions about, and constantly debate the benefits of a bailout bottle over a pony tank and vice-versa. Bailout bottles provide a diver a redundant air supply that will enable an emergency ascent from a depth in case of a problem or shortage of air in the primary air tank. A Bailout bottle can be used by overhead environment divers, wreck divers and recreational divers alike, and provide a compact source of air for emergencies.

Bailout bottle systems are found in two types:

• Integrated first and second stage regulator into the bottle.
• Stand alone tank with a standard first stage and second stage regulator.

H2Odyssey Extra Air Source 3
The H2Odyssey Extra Air Source 3 is an integrated first and second stage regulator system that fits onto a bailout tank of varying capacity. The First-Stage Regulator (RGV3) which is a balanced diaphragm environmentally sealed unit made from forged brass,  threads directly into the neck of a cylinder eliminating the need or bulk of a cylinder valve, it also gives you the latitude of selecting the size of cylinder to be utilized. Second-Stage Regulator is a bright yellow covered dependable simple down-stream demand valve design which connects via a vertical/ horizontal swivel. Available at Leisurepro.com at a competitive price of $352.50, the EAS3 is a valuable addition to a divers Scuba gear.

The H2Odyssey EAS3 can be purchased in a kit containing a 6 cubic foot tank that measures approx 3 inches in diameter and 12 inches in height. This will give your enough air to get you from 132 feet all the way to the surface

H2Odyssey Extra Air Source 2
The H2Odyssey EAS2 which retails at Liesurepro.com for approximately $269.25 is an emergency air source system that features a (RG2V) dependable balanced piston first stage unlike the EAS3 which uses a diaphragm first stage. Similar to the EAS3, The First-Stage Regulator threads directly into the neck of a cylinder eliminating the need or bulk of a cylinder valve, it also gives you the latitude of selecting the size of cylinder to be utilized.

The Extra Air Source 2 Kit also available at LeisurePro, includes the following:

• H2Odyssey Extra Air Source Balanced 1st Stage, with Station Kit
• 6 cu.ft Tank
• Pressure Gauge
• EAS Bag

Also available is the GPD H2Odyssey Quick Release EAS Bag for 6 cu ft Tank for $7.99 which allows mounting of the bailout bottle onto your main tank or BCD for easy access.

In our earlier article -5 Rules to Better Diving, we discussed how when it comes to Scuba diving safety, it’s best to dive like you’re diving alone. No, that doesn’t mean ditch your dive buddy, but as far as your safety is concerned, pretend he’s not there or… won’t be when you need him. In other words be self reliant.

With increasing incidents of divers being left behind by dive boats and even just freak accidents of running out of air, getting trapped or caught in nets, you don’t want find yourself in a situation wishing you had some basic Scuba safety gear or equipment. In order to be your own best dive buddy, we’ve put together some Scuba safety essentials which are light and easy to carry with you on any dive in case the dreaded happens.

A whistle. Yes, this seemingly simple and small device can make a loud, life saving gesture. Attaching a whistle with a lanyard to your buoyancy compensator is a great way to get the attention of your dive bat hands, if you happen to surface away from the boat. While buying a whistle make sure that select one with no moving parts that could jam and that functions even when soaking wet after being submerged. Also, see that it’s loud enough to be heard above ambient noises like the roar of engines, breaking waves or thundering gale-force winds.

A ‘safety sausage‘ or ‘inflatable signaling tube‘ that, after inflation sticks up about six feet above the water’s surface is almost a requirement when diving. Easy to see from a distance especially when drift diving and also used for hand’s free, face-up positive buoyancy, these signaling tubes pack very small and can be simply attached to your BCD without causing any hindrance. Some need to be manually inflated through a mouthpiece while more advanced versions are mounted on BC’s and once deployed they use air from the BC to inflate.

Carrying with you Scuba flash light or strobe light is a good idea for obvious reasons, be it a night dive or day dive. A small light or a strobe that can double up as a flashlight if needed can be easily put in a BC pocket without you even feeling it. Available with extended battery life a light is just handy to have even when diving wrecks, in low visibility or as an emergency signaling device when diving at night.

Lastly, a dive knife. While it has been well debated, whether a Diver really needs to carry  dive knives or not as even we’ve previously touched on the subject in ‘Do I really need a Dive Knife? ‘. Weighing the pros and cons we came to the conclusion that it is always better to carry along with you at least one form of cutting tool, rather than be caught up in a situation where you wished you had one.

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*Photo credits: photo by gjs on flickr

** Products pictured above: Fox 40 Classic Marine Whistle With Breakaway Lanyard, Oceanic P.S.D. Personal Safety Device, Tektite Xenon Strobe 200 and Blue Reef Titanium Folding Knife. All available at LeisurePro.com.