Pony bottle & recreational diving...Need input...

[peterbj7]

Your original point was that there is a serious training deficiency if you don't open your valve underwater in an OOA emergency. Of course this emergency can be avoided by checking your gauge, but what does the frequency someone checks their gauge have to do with remembering to open the valve?

Sorry, you've lost me.

 

[peterbj7]

Oddly enough, I'm not new to the concept of structured training. Don't assume that, just because someone chooses a different gear configuration than you, it is because they lack something. You don't need to tear someone else down to make your decision valid.

Sorry, I don't think I said that, and if that's how I was interpreted I apologise.

I actually don't think I've mentioned any particular gear configuration, just total familiarity with and control over the gear you do have.

 

[DaleC]

I'm pretty sure that's what I said too.

 

[vasilescu_anton]

As a beginner I had the impulse of getting a pony bottle for myself and I was looking up at the divers carrying one thinking that they probably know better... Until one day when I had to rescue one of those divers who decided to go straight for the surface from a 120ft dive because he was low on air and didn't trust his pony bottle.

The more I dive and I am able to control my air consumption the more I realize that if you maintain your gear and not push the limits you will never be in the situation where you need the pony bottle.

Just my 2 cents here.

 

[usmarinekurt]

As a beginner I had the impulse of getting a pony bottle for myself and I was looking up at the divers carrying one thinking that they probably know better... Until one day when I had to rescue one of those divers who decided to go straight for the surface from a 120ft dive because he was low on air and didn't trust his pony bottle.

The more I dive and I am able to control my air consumption the more I realize that if you maintain your gear and not push the limits you will never be in the situation where you need the pony bottle.

Just my 2 cents here.

Never??

Oh

 

[Indian Valley Scuba]

Who's the diver here? You or the instructor? You call the shot if you want to have a redundant breathing source with you, aka pony bottle. It's only your life - who is someone else to tell you to not take a safety precaution?

In an out of air situation, self rescue with a pony bottle, versus any other form, poses the lowest risk. I applaud you for wearing it.

In a low on air situation, where you start doubting yourself and your decision making starts to get a little fuzzy, knowing you have those extra breaths hanging on you will reduce your stress, help maintain a good breathing pattern, and keep you from thinking about rapid ascents or ignoring safety stops.

Stick with your pony!

 

[DaleC]

As a beginner I had the impulse of getting a pony bottle for myself and I was looking up at the divers carrying one thinking that they probably know better... Until one day when I had to rescue one of those divers who decided to go straight for the surface from a 120ft dive because he was low on air and didn't trust his pony bottle.

The more I dive and I am able to control my air consumption the more I realize that if you maintain your gear and not push the limits you will never be in the situation where you need the pony bottle.

Just my 2 cents here.

Good for you!

Of course, basing a decision regarding the value of gear on the behavior of one person who doesn't know how to use it properly (or at all) is always the best course of action IMO. It's what all the real thinkers do. I once saw a man playing tennis with a flute (he sucked) and haven't liked the sound of woodwinds since.


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Just a note on the whole pony discussion:

It's important to remember that regional differences play a part in the need for such things as redundancy. In tropical waters where the vis is higher and you can see your partner at depth, and with a lighter rig, CESA's and reliance on the buddies air supply may play a more signifigant role than a redundant air source.

In colder climes with lower vis, buddy seperation and heavy rigs are just a fact of life. We are often outfitted more like technical divers, even for rec diving, and reliance on buddy's or CESA's as an alternate air supply is less dependable. Along with good buddy skills and larger back gas supplies, many (some) divers still choose a form of alternate air source such as doubles, independant twins or a pony.

 

[Blackwood]

Your instructor has the right to their opinion, and you have the right to smile and ignore them and still get your certification, as long as you meet the requirements of whatever agency you're certifying with - and except for possibly some elitist esoteric techie agencies who want all divers to look like clones, I doubt any of them specifies that you can't or shouldn't carry a pony.

>*< Fritz

Every agency has various equipment requirements. They exist only in the context of a course. Once you "graduate," you are free to dive whatever configuration you want. If DC53's instructor of choice is against the carrying of a pony bottle, there are (at least) two options:

1) Don't carry it during the class. It's unlikely the instructor will teach you how to use something he/she is opposed to, so bringing it along offers no benefits. Get through the class and then learn to use a pony.

2) Find an instructor who approves of pony bottles and will teach you how to use one.

 

[grf88]

Just a note on the whole pony discussion:

It's important to remember that regional differences play a part in the need for such things as redundancy. In tropical waters where the vis is higher and you can see your partner at depth, and with a lighter rig, CESA's and reliance on the buddies air supply may play a more signifigant role than a redundant air source.

In colder climes with lower vis, buddy seperation and heavy rigs are just a fact of life. We are often outfitted more like technical divers, even for rec diving, and reliance on buddy's or CESA's as an alternate air supply is less dependable. Along with good buddy skills and larger back gas supplies, many (some) divers still choose a form of alternate air source such as doubles, independant twins or a pony.

Good comment.

 

[lowviz]

... so I don’t have a lot of good arguments to keep it except for “what if” and “I take comfort in it”. Opinions?

First, I'm fundamentally in favor of both the pony and its size. Second, I consider myself to have strong minimalist tendencies. Minimalists tend to know, maintain, and trust their gear.

This might be what your instructor is attempting to teach. When you leave your pony behind, you feel uncomfortable. Mild discomfort will improve your focus on what to do if your primary supply malfunctions. It will also improve your gas management skills as you will be aware that you could run out of air. Emergency ascents are no longer something that couldn't possibly happen. What I'm getting at is that you might be compromising your instruction by relying too much on the pony. While you are learning from this particular instructor, ask questions and listen to why he wants you to dive a certain way. When you are through with the course, by all means, add your pony to what you have learned. You don't just strap on a pony, it too is gear that requires practice. -Like orally inflating your BC when you are on the pony. In an OOA situation it better not come as a surprise to you that your inflator doesn't work either.

Stay safe.