I think you should always 2 second stagfes on your main tank, but a lot of people prefer #2 be on their low pressure inflator hose to eliminate on hose. That still counts as #2.
DivemasterDennis
DivemasterDennis
How many second stages when diving with a pony?
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DaleC
Contributor
Dennis, you just reminded me that a LPI (without an AIR2 type reg) can still be used as a regulator (manually controlled), so I would say sometimes I have three regs on my BG 
Thank goodness this is the advanced diving forum.
Thank goodness this is the advanced diving forum.
GrumpyOldGuy
Contributor
I tend to dive with a normal reg setup plus pony (3 second stages). Its personal preference based on
1) Small pony bottles are limited and having the option to share off the main tank is nice.
2) I value a consistent setup over the small advantage of eliminating the extra 2nd stage.
3) My personal setup keeps the pony's 2nd separated from the safe second.
1) Small pony bottles are limited and having the option to share off the main tank is nice.
2) I value a consistent setup over the small advantage of eliminating the extra 2nd stage.
3) My personal setup keeps the pony's 2nd separated from the safe second.
DogDiver
Contributor
Guys. Forget the pony bottle!!!!!! Purchase a steel 95 and put an "H" valve on it.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
markmud
Self Reliant Diver--On All Dives.
Hey DogDiver,
Yeah, that is a good option; but it is not 100% redundant--damn close to it as the probability of your H-valve or tank failing are slim to none.
markm
---------- Post added April 29th, 2014 at 05:44 PM ----------
Hey Grumpy,
You nailed my point of view quite well.
A divemaster on Peace dive boat helped me set-up my pony bottle rig. He said: "the octo is for the other diver, and your pony rig is for you and only you!"
I have dived with that rule since.
I dived Monterey a few weeks ago. I was diving solo. The divemaster asked if anybody would like to buddy-up with an "odd-man-out". I offered and explained my set-up. I explained where my octo was and explained that the valve to my pony was off. I gave him that dive master's saw from Peace dive boat: "the octo is yours, the pony is mine!"
markm
ferris213
Contributor
Dennis, you just reminded me that a LPI (without an AIR2 type reg) can still be used as a regulator (manually controlled), so I would say sometimes I have three regs on my BG
Is this done by holding both inflate and deflate down at the same time? Do you run a risk of germs etc from inside the bladder contaminating the air you breathe doing this? Sounds like a fun one to practice.
GrumpyOldGuy
Contributor
DaleC
Contributor
Yes and ?
You could always rinse your wing out with Scope or chlorinated water. I don't really worry about it as the air is really just traveling from the inflator to the deflator. Keep enough of a heads up orientation so as not to inflate the wing and of course.. practice in a controlled setting. The thing is to not be depending on the wing for buoyancy at the time so it can be emptying and you don't worry about venting needed lift.
It's a party trick like breathing off a tank valve.
You could always rinse your wing out with Scope or chlorinated water. I don't really worry about it as the air is really just traveling from the inflator to the deflator. Keep enough of a heads up orientation so as not to inflate the wing and of course.. practice in a controlled setting. The thing is to not be depending on the wing for buoyancy at the time so it can be emptying and you don't worry about venting needed lift.
It's a party trick like breathing off a tank valve.
markmud
Self Reliant Diver--On All Dives.
Hey Grumpy,
Yeah, I wish I could take one of my E7-100 tanks on an airplane. I detest aluminum 80s.
I am not going to install H-valves on my E7-100 tanks either. My current rig is way too simple. 100% redundancy for me.
markm
Kharon
Contributor
Check out Chapter 6, page 82, paragraph 3 of the SDI manual. Your answer is there with the reasons - don't need it, it's an extra failure point, it creates extra drag. I'll add one of my own - if you do happen to be diving with a buddy who goes OOA it's confusing to have three options for him to grab.
I moved my octo from my 1st stage, got a bright yellow hose and octo holder and put it right where it would be expected. I discuss & practice deployment with any buddy I happen to dive with before the dive. Pony is always on/valve open so nothing to do but grab and breathe. My primary 2nd stage hose is way too short to give up. We would be nose to nose plus I can hand off the pony and we can ascend together but not tethered.
I moved my octo from my 1st stage, got a bright yellow hose and octo holder and put it right where it would be expected. I discuss & practice deployment with any buddy I happen to dive with before the dive. Pony is always on/valve open so nothing to do but grab and breathe. My primary 2nd stage hose is way too short to give up. We would be nose to nose plus I can hand off the pony and we can ascend together but not tethered.
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