kanonfodr
Contributor
Well last weekend I was diving with my pony and decided to deploy it and breathe from it for a while. I sucked about 500 psi from it, then turned off the valve and restowed it for the remainder of the dive. Worked pretty good, even if I am slow because I keep the valve turned off until I need to use it.
My question is: Is there a preferred practice method with it?? Granted, it's a tool nobody ever wants to use, but like any other tool it requires use under controlled conditions to keep the muscle memory and protocol fresh. I want to see how other divers practice with their pony. I have devised two simple scenarios that would necessitate deployment of the pony and I will explain them below:
1.) Diver begins running low on air and to safely complete the dive, diver deploys and begins breathing from pony while retaining a small reserve in their backgas to inflate BCD/Drysuit and also quickly assist another diver until the situation can be resolved. At that point the dive is over and ascent/exit has begun. Does that sound good?
2.) Diver's buddy runs OOA, diver then deploys pony and gives it to OOA diver if possible. The problem I see with this is as follows: The OOA diver won't want to wait the 5-10 seconds for the donating diver to deploy the reg hose and then turn on the valve from the pony. More likely the donating diver will give the OOA diver his donation reg, switch to his secondary if necessary, and then deploy the pony and give that to the OOA diver. That would allow him to recover his donated regulator and then the two can begin their ascent/exit. Is it worth it to begin air-sharing or just have the OOA diver wait for pony deployment??
I have a practice method devised, but I want to see what other divers do first and see if they have a better method.
Peace,
Greg
My question is: Is there a preferred practice method with it?? Granted, it's a tool nobody ever wants to use, but like any other tool it requires use under controlled conditions to keep the muscle memory and protocol fresh. I want to see how other divers practice with their pony. I have devised two simple scenarios that would necessitate deployment of the pony and I will explain them below:
1.) Diver begins running low on air and to safely complete the dive, diver deploys and begins breathing from pony while retaining a small reserve in their backgas to inflate BCD/Drysuit and also quickly assist another diver until the situation can be resolved. At that point the dive is over and ascent/exit has begun. Does that sound good?
2.) Diver's buddy runs OOA, diver then deploys pony and gives it to OOA diver if possible. The problem I see with this is as follows: The OOA diver won't want to wait the 5-10 seconds for the donating diver to deploy the reg hose and then turn on the valve from the pony. More likely the donating diver will give the OOA diver his donation reg, switch to his secondary if necessary, and then deploy the pony and give that to the OOA diver. That would allow him to recover his donated regulator and then the two can begin their ascent/exit. Is it worth it to begin air-sharing or just have the OOA diver wait for pony deployment??
I have a practice method devised, but I want to see what other divers do first and see if they have a better method.
Peace,
Greg