Pony Bottle: Valve On or Off while diving

[BlueTrin]

I would like to know as well the reasoning for hanging diagonally

 

[Nemrod]

I'm new to backplate BCD, XDeep Zen NX, and looking for suggestions on mounting 13 cf pony bottle and reg, which would always be on during any dive. Use of bottle for emergency only. My only use to date was the result of ruptured reg hose at 80 ft, cold water, beginning assent. Lost air almost instantly. My buddy carried a spare tank, enabling normal assent. I've been a believer since.

A 19/30/40/80 slings nicely. A 13 just does not sling well, too short. If you are stuck with the 13 then I would probably back mount it valve down and bring the regulator around behind your neck, something like a 36 inch hose and on a necklace. Use one of those mounts that shares the cam band.

Shhh, do not tell on me, I have a 6 cf that I do indeed back mount. I used it for shallow solo. However, I used it so infrequently and so long ago the last time the tank is several years out of hydro . Normally, these days I sling on the left side.

James

 

[Gandalf-the-Diver]

How is that better than the more common method for stage bottles, deco bottles and bailout bottles - slung from the side either by clips to D-rings and harness, or by a sidemount-style bungee? Not being argumentative, just interested. Always willing to learn...

I like it as it balances my pony between both sides of my body. I do not have to add or remove any trim weight to offset it; and on the unfortunate chance I found a diver in distress that I had to hand the bottle off too, I would not be out of trim. This of course, only applies when carrying one pony bottle.

 

[doctormike]

I like it as it balances my pony between both sides of my body. I do not have to add or remove any trim weight to offset it; and on the unfortunate chance I found a diver in distress that I had to hand the bottle off too, I would not be out of trim. This of course, only applies when carrying one pony bottle.

Yeah, I have heard this before, I just never experienced that myself. I sling an AL80 on my left side and I don't use any trim weights or anything, don't really notice it.

 

[Gareth J]

I like it as it balances my pony between both sides of my body. I do not have to add or remove any trim weight to offset it; and on the unfortunate chance I found a diver in distress that I had to hand the bottle off too, I would not be out of trim. This of course, only applies when carrying one pony bottle.

If you use aluminium stages there is negligible effect, which is why everyone uses aluminium stages! Steels are a different matter.

The big advantage of aluminium 80's is that they are generally neutral in the water, actually, fractionally negative. When empty they are positive.

It is significantly easier to hand off aluminium stages than steel. One of the exercises we used to run was to exchange stages between four or five us, one rouge cylinder being steel, whilst holding a 6m stop. The objective was to get one diver overwhelmed with cylinders. The steel was there to mess with everyones head (buoyancy).
Whilst on OC, handling a steel was do-able, on a CCR it is not realistic.
I still have a steel 7 somewhere in the garage, but only use Ali 80's these days.

As is usual, the thread has diverged from the original question.

 

[Gandalf-the-Diver]

As is usual, the thread has diverged from the original question.

... on that note, my pony is turned on at all times during my dive,

 

[doctormike]

As is usual, the thread has diverged from the original question.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

View attachment 696638

When a thread irreversibly goes off the rails, that is when I click "Unwatch" to turn off the alerts ... like I just did for this thread.

 

[doctormike]

When a thread irreversibly goes off the rails, that is when I click "Unwatch" to turn off the alerts ... like I just did for this thread.

I guess... but sometimes you learn new things. I like to think of these threads more like a chat in a pub, rather than a legal deposition where your responses need to be very narrowly constrained. And sometimes, the OP gets a better answer from responses to the question that they didn't know to ask.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

Why would someone feel that they need to make an announcement in a discussion thread that they’ve decided to no longer participate in that discussion thread? Who knows…?

To get back to the original question........my Pony valve is ALWAYS FULLY ON while diving... My Pony is not at all a part of my dive plan or my gas management plan for ANY dive….EVER! It is strictly intended to be there and available to ME in case of an emergency that involves ME and ME only. Beyond recreational and professional SCUBA diving, I am also a past military and recreational skydiver. I consider my Pony system as I would my spare chute. It is there ONLY for redundancy and emergency use in case of a catastrophic failure of my primary system. That’s it.

Here's my general equipment set-up and my basis for keeping my Pony system ALWAYS ON while diving which is really my business and all that matters to me...

• 90% of my dives are cold water (PNW/ BC), Drysuit and Solo and usually hunting…..sometimes shooting video.
• I typically dive 32% and use 110ft as my MOD in the salt.
• I own two 120 cf and two 102 cf Steel / DIN Valved tanks to use for my primary gas.
• I usually dive the 120’s unless headed to a location where fills are not available and planning to do more than two dives.
• My 19 cf Pony is firmly attached to the 120 with banded Pony Tamer system. Valve up.
• My primary regulator is an Apeks ATX-200 that controls my primary 2nd stage, integrated computer, drysuit inflator and BC inflator.
• My Alt air source (from my primary tank) is an Aqualung QD Airsource. (Basically an alternate 2nd stage that is integrated into my BC inflator.
• My Pony regulator is a Mares Abyss 22 – Navy. The first stage on the Abyss has a mini HP gauge to let me confirm the 19 is full and charged prior to the dive.
• When diving, the valves on both my primary 120 and my 19 are FULLY on. The ¼ turn back from all the way on is unnecessary and dangerous in my opinion.
• My primary 2nd stage goes over my right shoulder.
• My Pony 2nd stage goes under my right shoulder and is attached with a quick release to the front / right side of my BC harness
• I dive an Aqualung Black Diamond BC in cold water and a Zeagle Stiletto in warm water. Both are back inflate.
• My Pony's name is BOB. "Best Overall Buddy". Never panics, never complains, never leaves my side, always agrees with my choice of dives and I don't ever have to share my catch with him.

PS….. For all of the rabid “slingers” out there who feel that it’s their mission in life to tell others what is best for them……..I wish you all safe diving! Cheers!