Considering buying a pony/back-up tank.

[Brian Robinson]

I want to get a pony/back-up tank. I do dive with a partner, But I also like to be self sufficient. Better to depend on myself 1st. There are numerous sizes and configurations. I just cannot seem to sort it out. A LP30 seems sufficient. Not sure best way to mount or carry. I want it to be a none complex issue if i need to use. Tank mount look good < But how easy is it to access?? I like to carry redundant equipment (Like a Solo diver) to be safe.I am considering a Solo Diver and technical Diver cert. in the future. My LDS told me I needed a Technical Cert. to use double tanks. For the main fact the I usually travel with the (Internationally) wife and she does not dive.

 

[shurite7]

If you are considering technical diving then an AL40 is recommended since you'll use it for deco gas.

Having a pony bottle isn't "safer". I argue that it is less safe since most people do not train, let alone practice, with it. It makes a lot more sense to practice with your buddy than the buy a pony bottle to solve a problem that doesn't exist. Furthermore, learning how to manage your air, via SAC training and gas planning, is a much better option than buying additional equipment that really isn't needed.

If you are going to solo dive then carrying an alternate air source makes sense.

 

[Marie13]

What BC do you have now? BP/W is best for slinging it. I carry my AL30 on left side (seems to be the standard place if slinging). Many jacket BCs don't have proper or strong enough places to clip a larger pony.

Some mount theirs on a bracket off main tank on their back. I don't like that, for several reasons.

Your dive shop is full of it. You can dive double tanks, either backmount or sidemount, without a tech cert.

 

[claymore]

You will get lots of different answers about size, configuration and need for a pony bottle. Slung on the feet side seems to be the most common mounting cofiguration.
You do not need a tech cert to dive doubles or sidemount. I would advise finding good instructor/mentor to teach you the best practices for their use. The tech cert comes into play when you start exceeding recreational depths and or required decompression stops.and or entering overhead spaces.
Flying with compressed gas cylinders can be fairly complicated. The tank has to be drained the valve taken out and left out for transit by commercial air. Upon arrival at destination the filling operator may or may not require a visual inspection and stil may refuse to fill the tank.

 

[Cowfish Aesthetic]

Having a pony bottle isn't "safer". I argue that it is less safe since most people do not train, let alone practice, with it. It makes a lot more sense to practice with your buddy than the buy a pony bottle to solve a problem that doesn't exist. Furthermore, learning how to manage your air, via SAC training and gas planning, is a much better option than buying additional equipment that really isn't needed.

Seems like everyone who dives in the Great Lakes disagrees with that assessment. Probably because of the significantly heightened risk of free flow in cold water and thus the added comfort of having four independent sets of regulators for a buddy pair to rely on.

But I agree regarding the AL40. I do not currently dive with a pony (I'm new to Chicago), but everyone who dives here has told me to 1) get one and train with it, and 2) get an AL40.

 

[Bert van den Berg]

You will get a number of SB members express their opinions on this.

I personally agree with your idea and sling a pony on a single D ring on my BCD. Easy to put on and easy to get off.

Be sure to practice switching gas supplies occasionally after you get the solo cert training. The more you practice the safer you will be.

If you ever get into the situation where you might actually have to switch to the pony, your mind will likely be in a different state and having this act down pat will help.

 

[tbone1004]

don't like pony bottles
If you want one, get an AL40 so it's useful in the future when you use it for deco and sling it, preferably with a loop bungee so it streamlines properly, basically a sidemounted bottle.

 

[rsingler]

You will get a number of SB members express their opinions on this.

I personally agree with your idea and sling a pony on a single D ring on my BCD. Easy to put on and easy to get off.

Be sure to practice switching gas supplies occasionally after you get the solo cert training. The more you practice the safer you will be.

If you ever get into the situation where you might actually have to switch to the pony, your mind will likely be in a different state and having this act down pat will help.

Agree with all of this except single point of attachment. If you're flying a jacket, use your upper left D-ring and a second small ring on that lower edge of your BCD. No sense having your 40 dangle close to the bottom. With a BP/W, lots of other options.
With a proper rigging strap and two bolt snaps, you can tuck it up nicely under your arm, out of the way.
A 40cf may be standard in your locale, but if you calculate using your SAC at your deepest depth with margins for problem resolution and a safety stop, you may need less. I carry a 21cf for warm water and deeper rec depths. It gives me four minutes at double my normal SAC at depth for problem resolution, and then ascent and a safety stop. Just do the math.

 

[Cowfish Aesthetic]

A 40cf may be standard in your locale, but if you calculate using your SAC at your deepest depth with margins for problem resolution and a safety stop, you may need less.

My understanding is that a 40 is way more than anyone diving recreationally would ever need, but the rationale is that it's far more useful if you do go tech and (for the same reason) is much more valuable if you ultimately decide to sell it.

 

[ljpm]