Travelling with the Spare Air

Travelling with your Spare Air is as easy as with a regular SCUBA Tank.

Flying: The war on terrorism has created greater travel restrictions. PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA):

"Except for personal medical oxygen cylinders, you can only carry an EMPTY compressed gas cylinder onboard a plane. To be permitted (in either carry-on or checked baggage), it must be clearly visible to the TSA officer that the cylinder is empty. Personal oxygen is permitted if the regulatory valve has not been tampered with or removed.

Unless being used for personal medical oxygen, the gas cylinder regulator valve must be completely disconnected from the cylinder (in other words, the cylinder has an open end that allows the TSO to visually inspect the cylinder). TSOs will NOT remove the seal or regulator valve from the cylinder. If the gas cylinder is sealed (the regulator valve is still attached) and not required for personal medical oxygen, the gas cylinder is prohibited, regardless of the reading on the pressure gauge indicator.

Source: https://www.tsa.gov, August 2017

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How to Fly with Spare Air

When carrying SPARE AIR on a commercial aircraft, the system must be empty and according to TSA regulations, the cylinder must be depressurised and the regulator unscrewed from the cylinder so they can be sure that it is empty.

1. To empty all the air out of the SPARE AIR press the Purge Button until no more air is released. Unscrew the regulator from the cylinder counter-clockwise (no special tools are needed – it is screwed on hand tight).
2. If the regulator does not unscrew easily DO NOT force it or use tools, instead soak the entire SPARE AIR in a 1-1 vinegar & water solution overnight to loosen any salt corrosion. Leave o-ring, washer and exhaust discs on the regulator.
3. Place the regulator and cylinder in a Ziploc plastic bag to protect and keep them clean. (Option - purchase the "SPARE AIR Travel Pack" which includes its own carrying bag) Keep SPARE AIR regulator and cylinder threads clean and dry. Include SPARE AIR Owners Manual so TSA employees can refer to it if they have questions.
4. Pack SPARE AIR in your checked or carry-on baggage.
5. Reattach the regulator and cylinder and refill SPARE AIR when you reach your dive destination. You may lightly lubricate the tank o-ring with a small amount of silicone spray or grease - NEVER use a hydrocarbon based oil. DO NOT force regulator onto tank - if you feel resistance stop and unscrew and start again.
6. Replace tank o-ring after product has been disassembled and reassembled 3 times, or o-ring shows signs of wear or air leakage. Tank O-ring size is 2-016 and you should be able to purchase from any dive shop.

The SPARE AIR TRAVEL PACK includes plastic protective caps for both the regulator and cylinder threads and additional o-rings all in a durable, reusable plastic pouch.