A couple pony questions

[miketrance84]

I hope people that actually dive with a pony can help me out.

1. What are the advantages of slinging a pony bottle instead of getting a mount to your main tank? I'm looking at a 40cuft bottle for wreck and Ice diving.

2. I have a Tusa platina first and second stage reg that I am no longer using. I got an Atomic Z2 for better performance. I know the Tusa isn't enviromentally sealed but would it still be acceptable for Ice diving as a pony reg? I think it would be since your only switching to pony in an emergency and making your way back to the surface.

3. Anyone that does mount their pony to their main tank what do you recommend for bands to do it.

 

[battles2a5]

1. Slinging a tank does several things for youl; you can reach the valve, you have full control of the unit, you can remove/replace as needed (in case on entanglement, pass it off to a buddy in need, etc.). IMO this is a much better method than strapping it to your tank.

2. If you need it in an emergency, don't you want to be sure it will work? Emergency = increased breathing rate = higher chance of a free flow in freezing water with an unsealed reg. Of course, if you sling the bottle it would be much easier to manage a freeflow as well. It will probably work, but I would use a reg that is designed for that type of environment.

3. Can't help you there, I've only slung tanks.

 

[spectrum]

Mine is in a sling so I have ready access, so I can take it on a moments notice and can hand it off to a buddy if needed.

 

[steeplejack]

ditto, mine is in a sling also, it's easier to handle when ice diving versus having the pony mounted to your tank

 

[String]

LOADS of pony threads on here currently all about mountain. A simple search would have found them.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

For ice diving, I think I would want the pony bottle to be slung.

 

[Lee Taylor]

For many years I used the "Pony Tamer" by ReefScuba.com. It was solid as a rock. The downside was that it required a LOT of monkey motion to get it set up and fastened in place. I was using it on rental tanks. Another downside was the awkwardness of the 30 cube pony hanging off the side of the single 100 cube aluminum. A sling sounds better. I would try both.

 

[miketrance84]

Ok, I think i'm sold on slinging the pony. I am of the understanding that using a non enviromentally sealed regulator just increases the chances of a freeze up and freeflow. Also from what I understand about a freeze up is the longer you use the reg the more of a chance of the spring freezing open.
I guess what I was trying to get at with my second question is for how long you would be breathing off of a Pony, How likely is a freeflow? I understand it isn't the best equipment for that environment(which is why my primary reg is an Atomic) but would it be useful or just freeze after a few min?

 

[String]

Freeze open usually the result of breathing on the surface in cold weather OR purging reg underwater.

If its slung you keep the pony turned off and only turn on when needed. In addition if it DOES freeflow you can turn it off to thaw then back on. That is nowhere near as easy back mount.

 

[Hawkwood]

I have tried both while ice diving. I have 19cuft pony that I tank mount. My son has a 40cuft pony that is set up to be "slung". I tried both set ups while ice diving. I much preferred slinging the 40 in that application.

The tank mount 19cuft uses the Dive Rite Remora set-up. It's okay, but I wouldn't want to go any bigger than the 19cuft.