Another pony bottle question

[Crush]

Hi all,

I often fly to my dive locations and check or carry-on my gear. I have two questions:

1. Does anyone fly with their pony bottle? I would imagine that you would have to remove the valve during travel; and
2. I have heard that you can side-sling larger ponies. Can anyone post photos or refer to web pages with photos of how this can be done?

Description of my diving: I wear a Zeagle Scout BC (pronounced POO-dul JAH-ket by some), usually dive cold water in a drysuit, possibly as low as 140 ft. I was thinking of a 13 cu ft tank (which I would back mount), but I am now thinking about possibly a larger tank.

 

[Reg Braithwaite]

I have heard that you can side-sling larger ponies. Can anyone post photos or refer to web pages with photos of how this can be done?

Ask and ye shall receive.

 

[Crush]

Ask and ye shall receive.

VERY nice - and many thanks.

Do you have any aesthetic objections to seeing someone in a BC with a side-slung pony?

Cheers

 

[paddler3d]

There was a very recent thread about flying and pony bottles.

I believe the concensus was to remove the valve, cover the opening with clear tape and put in your checked luggage.

For a 100 or so dives I dove with a slung AL40 using the exact method at Reg Braithwaite provided a link for. It worked great.

Not too long ago I switched over to the prepacked Dive Rite version.

Stage/Deco Straps and Hose Retainers by Dive Rite - Dive Gear Express

The reason being is that the DIR version described above is not very suitable to carrying the tank via the handle you create, on land. I had to replace the rope/thread once.

The Dive Rite one is twice as much, however you can easily carry the tank on land using the handle.

Aesthetic objections? This isn't a fashion show. If it works for you, it works for you.

Personally I prefer the slung vs. the back mount. Do a search on this. This argument has been hashed out a lot.

 

[Garrobo]

I dove with a guy a couple months ago who had made up a holster from black DWV plastic pipe which was strapped to his thigh by some velcro straps which held his pony. On top he had a small bungee strap around the valve to keep the bottle from falling out. There was a long hose with a regulator up to his upper chest which was held by another small bungee. I asked him if his setup caused him to roll on the side of the bottle and he said it didn't.

 

[muddiver]

I dove with a guy a couple months ago who had made up a holster from black DWV plastic pipe which was strapped to his thigh by some velcro straps which held his pony. On top he had a small bungee strap around the valve to keep the bottle from falling out. There was a long hose with a regulator up to his upper chest which was held by another small bungee. I asked him if his setup caused him to roll on the side of the bottle and he said it didn't.

Oh, that's clasic DIY!

 

[awakefie]

Most of us would agree I think, that slinging the pony is the way to go. That said, always go with what works for you and train with it and you'll be just fine. Some people do prefer tank mounts, but I like knowing that I can hand the pony off if I want to.

 

[Crush]

Most of us would agree I think, that slinging the pony is the way to go.

Do you sling on your left side? Do you jump into the water with the pony in your hand and then clip it off, or clip it off then jump in? I use a necklace with my octo and love knowing precisely where it is. Would you use a necklace with a slung pony and lose the octo?

Many thanks, all.

 

[Blackwood]

Not too long ago I switched over to the prepacked Dive Rite version.

Stage/Deco Straps and Hose Retainers by Dive Rite - Dive Gear Express

The reason being is that the DIR version described above is not very suitable to carrying the tank via the handle you create, on land.

I carry bottles by the valve knobs.

Do you sling on your left side? Do you jump into the water with the pony in your hand and then clip it off, or clip it off then jump in? I use a necklace with my octo and love knowing precisely where it is. Would you use a necklace with a slung pony and lose the octo?

Many thanks, all.

• Yes, I sling on the left.
• If I only have one bottle I'll usually jump with it. If I have multiple I'll jump and then have someone hand them to me.
• A 'pony' in the traditional sense is merely an addition to your rig. No reason to modify your backgas reg set.

 

[paddler3d]

I carry bottles by the valve knobs.

Well sure, but it is real nice if you can carry them like a briefcase or suitcase, something that the DIY version couldn't do.