Bailout Gas — What It Is and Why It Matters
Bailout gas is a redundant breathing gas supply carried by a technical or rebreather diver as an emergency backup. If the primary gas system fails — due to a rebreather malfunction, free-flow, or unexpected gas consumption — the diver switches to the bailout supply to safely ascend and complete decompression.
Bailout planning involves carrying enough independent gas volume to complete the entire ascent and decompression schedule from the deepest point of the dive. Bailout bottles are typically slung under the arms or clipped to the harness, and their mixes are chosen to match the appropriate decompression gases for the planned depth range.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do recreational divers need bailout gas?
No. Bailout gas is a technical diving concept. Recreational open-circuit divers carry a single tank and plan dives to surface with a reserve (usually 50 bar / 700 PSI). The buddy system provides emergency air sharing for recreational diving.
How much bailout gas do I need?
Enough to complete the entire ascent from your maximum depth, including all decompression stops, at a stress-elevated breathing rate. Gas planning calculations are a critical part of technical dive training and vary by depth, time, and decompression requirements.
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