Back mount pony bottle

[34109411]

Great thread! Now I’m convinced I need to add a pony to my setup. I swear logging on to SB is liking stepping into a used car lot.
Edit: But I do think, for me, as a relatively new diver, that a back mount setup makes sense. Maybe I don’t truly see the big picture, but a slung pony would be more effort to manage, no?

let's start the debate ! I personnaly use a slung pony (30 cf). The advantage is i always have access to my tank, could read pressure and it will be easier to donate to another diver if i need too. Others will tell you the opposite of me but it.'s ok, at the end i respect each and everyone setup.

 

[Boarderguy]

Edit: But I do think, for me, as a relatively new diver, that a back mount setup makes sense. Maybe I don’t truly see the big picture, but a slung pony would be more effort to manage, no?

Back mount for me because it's out of my way. I have my scooter and camera on every dive and it's easier for me. It's also always with me this way. I check the pressure at home before leaving. It's upside-down so I can reach the valve to feather or turn on/off as needed. I normally keep it partially open, 1 turn at most to prevent catastrophic loss, and turn on when needed. I turn it on specifically during ascents when approaching any req stops, when my buddy signals below 1k psi, and when I go below 1k. These are  my procedures and work for me in how I dive. They don't vary between solo and buddy dives.

 

[grf88]

The important part is having a redundant air source of sufficient capacity that is easily accessed regardless of how it is carried. For me a slung AL40 works best.

 

[johndiver999]

I have given my preference, dive as you wish, I always dive fully redundant so I really don't care what configuration my buddy, if I have one, uses. I realize that after diving for 45 years I still have plenty to learn but including an Air2 in my configuration is not one of them. Why adding any task in an emergency is what I would ask.

What is the actual additional task you are referring to?

 

[johndiver999]

My concern with this is that I would rather not be inflating my BCD off my pony, which is why I opted not to go with the Air2. If I was buddy diving more I would definately use something like the Air2.

Never ever seen or heard of someone doing that.

 

[grf88]

What is the actual additional task you are referring to?

It was shown in the video and Boarderguy referenced it in post 200. I dive primary donate with a long hose which will not work with an Air2 without having the extra step of removing it from around your neck prior to donating so it doesn't get tangled with the inflator hose. If the out of air diving pulls the reg from you mouth you have a cluster fk. I have given my preference and the reasons for it, dive what you like it does not impact me.

 

[johndiver999]

Back mount for me because it's out of my way. I have my scooter and camera on every dive and it's easier for me. It's also always with me this way. I check the pressure at home before leaving. It's upside-down so I can reach the valve to feather or turn on/off as needed. I normally keep it partially open, 1 turn at most to prevent catastrophic loss, and turn on when needed. I turn it on specifically during ascents when approaching any req stops, when my buddy signals below 1k psi, and when I go below 1k. These are  my procedures and work for me in how I dive. They don't vary between solo and buddy dives.

This (your) system adds a lot of complexity and room for error and confusion. For this reason, I don't think it is best for a new diver. Too much potential for error of getting confused and turning the tank off in a real emergency or problems finding the valve.

A simple back mount, valve on and pony second stage on a neck lanyard is simple and requires essentially zero modification in behavior under most emergencies, compared to a typical recreational , non-redundant configuration.

However, I am not at all critical of your set up and it adds some additional safety, primarily the ability to feather the valve and use the pony effectively even if the second stage screws up and starts free flowing. That is not a trivial advantage. The upside down and off (or partially off) would be something that a diver would have to learn and practice manipulating every dive. If they do that and dive frequently, I see no reason why it would be difficult to train yourself to find the valve and manipulate it as second nature.

I don't think there can be much disagreement that a slung pony is the safest method, but many people (including myself) choose to back mount for convenience and probably other reasons.

 

[johndiver999]

It was shown in the video and Boarderguy referenced it in post 200. I dive primary donate with a long hose which will not work with an Air2 without having the extra step of removing it from around your neck prior to donating so it doesn't get tangled with the inflator hose. If the out of air diving pulls the reg from you mouth you have a cluster fk. I have given my preference and the reasons for it, dive what you like it does not impact me.

It only gets tangled if you are (already) sucking on the air 2 right?

 

[grf88]

It only gets tangled if you are (already) sucking on the air 2 right?

I guess you have never been mugged by a panicked diver who rips your reg from your mouth. I have and the first reaction is not to calmly deploy the long hose before going to your backup especially when they are either desperately trying to claw their way to the surface or sinking. In a normal air share with a diver low on air or having issues with a freeflow it may not matter as you have already deployed the long hose in advance but when the sht hits the fan every little thing matters.

 

[MidOH]

How would it get caught on an air2? My long hose has no chance of getting tangled in mt necklace or my inflator.

There was another poster here, preaching about having nothing on our right side, because it would trap the long hose. But nothing on my right side traps that hose. And so what, if it did.

Here's 4 feet of hose. Deal with it. You get 3 more in 2 seconds. No big deal.