featured above H2Odyssey Extra Air Source Station Kit Package available at Leisurepro.com

However, if you run out of air and have a pony bottle, you do not need to worry about getting to your dive buddy’s attention immediately and attaching yourself to his air supply, You simply switch to your pony bottle and you are completely self sufficient, as you make your ascent to the surface. Pony bottles are a great way to be self reliant and prepared for eventualities rather than rely on someone else in-case of an emergency.

Pony bottles are also invaluable redundancy air tools when performing deep dives. Many dive operators will suspend a drop tank for deep dives at 3-5m (10-15ft) however many may not, and even if they do, you have to locate your drop tank in-order to use it at your safety stop, and sometimes when you run out of air, you just aren’t nearby the dive boat. This is another situation where a pony tank will help you successfully perform your safety stop.

While you do get spare air tanks that attach mount on your back beside your primary air tank, it’s best to get one that can clip under your arm, instead of a tank mount. This way it doesn’t add any drag, and it gives you great access to the valve and regulator, and allows you to hand it over to your buddy should he be out of air. These days pony bottles are compact and easy to use, with their own sophisticated compact regulators.

H2Odyessy sells excellent pony bottle kits which can easily be used on any size pony bottle tank. The H2Odyssey Extra Air Source Station Kit Package comes with a 6 cu.ft Tank, Balanced 1st Stage, with Station Kit, Pressure Gauge and EAS Bag which allows divers to attach the pony easily onto their BCD’s. The tank is easy to fill and one can even fill the tank off your primary tank with the help of with easy air fill adapters. The 6cu.ft pony bottle weights just It weighs 4 pounds and is as large as a bottle of water. Divers can opt for a larger 13 cu.ft tank that is 13 inches in length and provides twice as much air as the 6 cu.ft. one.

Emergency Air Sources: Pony Bottles was written by Nevin for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

1. Scubapro R395 Octopus, Yellow
The R395 is a great spare reg with it’s classic downstream valve for safe, reliable performance due to its robust design and low maintenance, 39-inch hose for convenient alternate air source function with yellow hose protector and yellow regulator cover for easy identification, left & right hose attachments for extra flexibility and comfortable positioning, so you can keep it on whatever side feels is best. The best part about this regulator is it doesn’t free-flow, so no wastage of precious air!!

Available at LeisurePro.com for $134.95*

2. Mares Proton Metal Octopus
The Protons second stage is made of nickel and chrome-plated brass. These materials offer a number of benefits: ruggedness and thinner walls which allow compact dimensions obtained without using smaller-diameter diaphragms; this result in reduced water drag. The second stage ha an anti-freeze function, which is enhanced by the “radiator action” of the metal. he Proton with its Vortex Assist Design (V.A.D.) system: all Mares second stages offer the unique patented VAD system. The air bypass tube conveys air to the mouthpiece creating a swirling vortex with a low pressure area in the center this keeps the diaphragm down during inhalation, giving very sensitive and easy breathing at all depths.

Available at LeisurePro.com for $169.95*

3. Tusa Platina II Octopus, Yellow (SS-20)
The SS-20 safe-second combines the performance of the reliable SS-10 octopus, yet is smaller and allows for both left and right hose configuration. The SS-20 Platina octopus features a large front purge, deflection tube and deflector to reduce exhaust resistance for easier breathing. Equipped with a high visibility yellow housing and 33″ yellow hose. The second stage also features a high density, long lasting silicone mouthpiece.

Available at LeisurePro.com for $79.95*

4. Cressi XS Octopus
The XS features the same lightweight, high performance second stage as the XS Plus and the Airtech. With the Cressi patented Internal Balance Injection System, high performance is insured at all sport diving depths. Additionally featured is a Dive/Pre-dive switch allowing for the fine-tuning of the regulator during use.

Available at LeisurePro.com for $59.95*

5. Oceanic “Swivel” Octopus, Yellow with Magnetic Keeper
Oceanic introduces the perfect combination of magnetic attraction and accessibility with the highly-anticipated octopus Swivel with Magnetic Keeper. This innovative octopus exhibits improved convenience through an extraordinarily easy-to-attach magnetic keeper. No more pinch clips. No more Velcro. No more fumbling. In an emergency, experts advise offering an out of air buddy your primary second stage and using your octopus regulator yourself. As its name implies, the Swivel 180 Degree octopus has a swivel where the low pressure hose attaches to the second stage. But that’s not its only unique feature. Unlike most second stages, the 180 octopus has no up or down and exhausts exhaled bubbles at the side. This means the hose for this breathing machine can come over or under either your left or right shoulder and you’ll still be able to pick up the octopus, put it in your mouth, purge and breathe without stopping to check its orientation.

Available at LeisurePro.com for $89.95*

*Prices as of October 2010, Please refer to LeisurePro.com for the  correct current prices.

SCUBA Gear: October Octopuses- Best Rated Spare Regulators was written by Noreen for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

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.

Scuba Safety Gear: The H2Odyssey Extra Air Source was written by Nevin for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World