Is a Pony Bottle too complicated for a beginner?

[Hartattack]

I have found that when students use their own RMV and based on time it takes to go from waypoint to waypoint and they see that what they calculated is close to actual gas remaining, it does a lot for their confidence.

Unless they have large lungs (Hoovers) an RMV of 0.75 cu ft/min or 20 L/min works well for min gas calculations.

I might give that a go next class if I have time.

 

[tursiops]

Unless they have large lungs (Hoovers) an RMV of 0.75 cu ft/min or 20 L/min works well for min gas calculations.

As more and more people use computers like Terics that provide pressure/min but not vol/min, some useful (approximate) equivalences for all those folks diving AL80s are 75 cuft/min, or 20 L/min, or 30 psi/min, or 2 bar/min.

 

[Hartattack]

As more and more people use computers like Terics that provide pressure/min but not vol/min, some useful (approximate) equivalences for all those folks diving AL80s are 75 cuft/min, or 20 L/min, or 30 psi/min, or 2 bar/min.

Yeah, I agree; they will make things easier as technology continues to advance in our sport. I use that tech like anything else in my kit, a tool in the toolbox—but I do like to use the old noggin now and then to keep me sharp. It's better than sudoku, I suppose.

 

[rick00001967]

I am SDI Solo now, a yr ago, I was a brand new OW diver, slnging a 13cu pony.

am i just misunderstanding? SDI requires 100 dives before you can do their solo course

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

am i just misunderstanding? SDI requires 100 dives before you can do their solo course

He's been diving like crazy since he started. @decompression was his solo instructor.

 

[CT-Rich]

If you need a redundant gas source for your planned dives, why not learn to dive back mounted doubles? However, single tank dives can be planned with a minimum gas requirement to get you and your buddy to the surface safely in the event of an emergency. As always, plan your dive and dive your plan. Cheers.

Accidents and buddy loss do happen, but your story does prove my point. Suppose one plans their dive to include a minimum gas calculation, SCR, and waypoints of the dive to check those things. In that case, one significantly mitigates the dive's risk and does not need to lug around a dead raccoon (pony bottle) with them unless required for decompression. Moreover, if additional gas is needed to conduct the dive, one should learn how to dive in a doubles configuration adequately.

Wow, you must be hilarious at parties. You realize a lot of dives are done on the fly. I know where I am going, but not necessarily what I am going to do when I get there. The “learn to dive doubles” argument makes no sense for 90% of divers. Not every diver is interested in wearing doubles and might not expect to be within arms reach of their buddy at all times. The idea of a pony is not about having enough air but having redundancy in the event of a catastrophic failure. I would never dive if I was going to plan every dive like it was the Andrea Doria. If you enjoy the complexities of being a tech diver and like to calculate and plan every dive, god bless, but there is plenty to see on a single tank.

 

[grf88]

Wow, you must be hilarious at parties. You realize a lot of dives are done on the fly. I know where I am going, but not necessarily what I am going to do when I get there. The “learn to dive doubles” argument makes no sense for 90% of divers. Not every diver is interested in wearing doubles and might not expect to be within arms reach of their buddy at all times. The idea of a pony is not about having enough air but having redundancy in the event of a catastrophic failure. I would never dive if I was going to plan every dive like it was the Andrea Doria. If you enjoy the complexities of being a tech diver and like to calculate and plan every dive, god bless, but there is plenty to see on a single tank.

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou. I have been tempted to join in but reluctant as I get a little agitated when I get into a discussion of pony bottles with a GUE diver. I am sure that either GI3 or JJ must have been frightened by a pony when they were children.

 

[tursiops]

I am sure that either GI3 or JJ must have been frightened by a pony when they were children.

LOL! Best. Line. Of. The. Week.

 

[Marie13]

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou. I have been tempted to join in but reluctant as I get a little agitated when I get into a discussion of pony bottles with a GUE diver. I am sure that either GI3 or JJ must have been frightened by a pony when they were children.

OK, you win the internet for the week!

 

[CT-Rich]

I am sure that either GI3 or JJ must have been frightened by a pony when they were children.

This is a newbie forum, those considering diving shouldn’t be expected to go tech before AOW.

I am so stealing this line. It may take a years to find the right moment to use it, but I am stealing it.