Pony bottle vs. Spare Air?

[diverDano]

hmmmm....

 

[tlcmetrokc]

i wouldnt suggest a new diver using full face gear until they have several several dives under their belt. i have seen and heard of several people drowning from them, not the equipment, just not enough experience under pressure and in a panic situation. im looking for one now

 

[ZzzKing]

Yes.

I always carry a pony. Here is a pic. Water temp 80F.

View attachment 42966

btw the only thing a spare air is good at saving is the length of this thread!

Does your buddy always walk along the bottom like that?

 

[offthewall1]

i wouldnt suggest a new diver using full face gear until they have several several dives under their belt. i have seen and heard of several people drowning from them, not the equipment, just not enough experience under pressure and in a panic situation. im looking for one now

There is no better FFM on the market then Ocean Reef Space or Ocean Reef Predator...

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Really? You must be a dealer. Why so many AGA's and KMB's in use then?

 

[mrlipis]

After reading 19 exhausting pages I finally find a post that is relevant to a spare air.

Again I'm not choosing a Spare Air over a Pony, they're not even in the same game, but they're not useless in what little they're good for. If nothing more than a few breaths while getting another persons attention, it may make the difference between rushing to the surface from 90 feet and getting someones alternate air source into your mouth while you both save your stupid butt from you doing something stupid in the first place.

As a new diver and looking at all that is available for emergency situations, I see the spare air as a way to buy some time to get to your buddy or another diver.

For all of you who say, "if your OOA, your buddy is probably low on air" I just don't get that. I am ending my dive at 700 psi min and that is more than enough air to get me and a buddy to 15 feet and a safety stop.

Bruce

 

[Lowrider Steve]

After reading 19 exhausting pages I finally find a post that is relevant to a spare air.



As a new diver and looking at all that is available for emergency situations, I see the spare air as a way to buy some time to get to your buddy or another diver.

For all of you who say, "if your OOA, your buddy is probably low on air" I just don't get that. I am ending my dive at 700 psi min and that is more than enough air to get me and a buddy to 15 feet and a safety stop.

Bruce

I couldn't agree more. I carry spare air and contend that it is better than nothing. I have done about 50 ocean dives, so a small number compared to many on this board, but I have never seen anyone carry a pony. I do believe that some people do and a pony is obviously better than a spare air if OOA. BUT I will take a few breaths over NONE anyday.

 

[scarefaceDM]

the problem as I see it and seen it many times...is people lean on a redundant system for lack of skill and poor planning. Once the skills are improved and better gas management is well planned...the after thought of a redundant system is trivial.

Of course it all depends on the dive, the environment and the skill of the diver. This is where a redundant system plays a roll and should not be used as a crutch for poor skills and poor SAC rates. But if you go deep then go doubles.

A good buddy pays for itself...Now before you all jump on the horse and beat it again...slow down. I use a redundant system when diving deep and if I know a buddy has a poor SAC rate I will carry a bailout bottle aka A slung poney because it is part of my Dive plan for that dive. It is slung on my left side and out of the way...not accross the chest and in the way.

So in closing this observation....A spare air is better than no air but is should not be a subsitute for poor skills and poor planning. A Slung poney has its use, just not much use in shallow dives from 60 feet or above. As a pic was posted where the poney is slung. That slung poney has no use there...and that diver in the back ground...STAY OFF THE BOTTOM MAN! there is a shining example of poor skills on both divers parts in that image...

Safe dives..I am outta here.

Stephen

 

[DandyDon]

the problem as I see it and seen it many times...is people lean on a redundant system for lack of skill and poor planning. Once the skills are improved and better gas management is well planned...the after thought of a redundant system is trivial.

Shortly after I got mine, we were doing a "same ocean" dive on The Eagle in the Florida Keys and when I got back to the mooring line, I encountered a diver with a pony hung on his back tank in a way he could not reach the valve - pointing at his valve. I turned it on for him; he seemed happier; I suspect he had included it in his dive plan, which is not why I carry mine.

Mine was mounted the same way, but I always made sure it was on and tested it in the water at the first of a dive, but not too log after that - I screwed up even bigger. I got a sling so I can see and easily reach the pony's spg and valve, stopped doing "same ocean" wreck dive, improved other skills, and worked on correcting my cavalier attitudes.

A Slung poney has its use, just not much use in shallow dives from 60 feet or above. As a pic was posted where the poney is slung. That slung poney has no use there...and that diver in the back ground...STAY OFF THE BOTTOM MAN! there is a shining example of poor skills on both divers parts in that image...

Safe dives..I am outta here.

Stephen

True, other than to practice carrying and deploying it at shallow depths - which may have been the plan that day.

 

[scarefaceDM]

I have been there. Thought I was king tuna..till I was treated to a reality check. Then I learned the way of the force...as to never force the dive and plan it properly. Everything has its place. And it has its uses. There is no reason one should run out of air unless they went beyond the limitations of skills and gas management...but that just bring the event to full circle...

Dandy D, I will be in Cabo San lucas in April 19 to 26 ish...why not take a mini vacation and come dive. I am Solo for diving, Planned two days and the rest for the misses... She gets pampered while I get to play.

Safe dives kids.

Shortly after I got mine, we were doing a "same ocean" dive on The Eagle in the Florida Keys and when I got back to the mooring line, I encountered a diver with a pony hung on his back tank in a way he could not reach the valve - pointing at his valve. I turned it on for him; he seemed happier; I suspect he had included it in his dive plan, which is not why I carry mine.

Mine was mounted the same way, but I always made sure it was on and tested it in the water at the first of a dive, but not too log after that - I screwed up even bigger. I got a sling so I can see and easily reach the pony's spg and valve, stopped doing "same ocean" wreck dive, improved other skills, and worked on correcting my cavalier attitudes.

True, other than to practice carrying and deploying it at shallow depths - which may have been the plan that day.