Best way to...

[FredGarvin]

What is the best way to attach a 6 cu ft. pony, preferably in a way to facilitate changing the main tank between dives?


Garv

 

[knowone]

Two clamps to hold webbing to, then slide cam band through
or get a pouch.

 

[scoobydrew]

having tried carrying a pony on the front and side of my BCD I'd definately stick with attaching it to the main cylinder on the back. I have seen a few different designs and the ones I like the best are the metal clamp type attachments. They hold the cylinder on tight so there is no movemnent and are easily detachable for transportation and filling etc. I tried getting a plasitc version of this that had velcro straps as opposed to the metal ones that run around the cylinder, although it was cheaper and less weight it did not take long before I found myself wishing I had just paid the bit extra for the metal ones in the first place.

 

[elmer fudd]

To me it depends on what you want to use the bottle for. If you just want a redundant air source and you don't want to see it, mess with it, or hand it off to someone else then I'd use clamps or hooks and attach it to the tank on your back. I've used the X-bracket before, and it works very well. It's expensive though.

If you want to be able to manipulate the valve or hand it off to other people, then slinging it works well. The downside of this is you have more crap dangling off you. Lots of people will tell you that a slung bottle is hardly noticeable. I'm not one of them. I notice it. It is a very quick and handy way of carrying a pony though. It's cheap, works for all sizes of ponies and anyone who has d-rings on their bc can clip a sling rigged pony bottle on in seconds.

 

[DevonDiver]

This is a surprisingly complex area of discussion and deserves a specific, not generalised, answer.

For the OP...

What sort of diving do you enjoy?

What would you hope to gain from using the pony?

What is your current equipment configuration?

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I have a 6cu ft pony I use for travel.

I mount it valve down on one of the CAM bands with a Remora quick release. The 2nd is on a 28inch hose that is held in place with a bungy cord with the second stage itself right next to the valve. It is tucked out of the way, but I can access it fast simply by grabbing the second and pulling. The quick release is not all that quick, so it is not viable to hand off and personally, handing someone a 6 cu ft bottle might just be giving them a 2nd chance to run OOA. The bottle is for me. Its position prevents someone from grabbing it thinking it is an octo in error.

On the plus side, I have a larger pony (13 cu ft) I mount exactly the same for local dives or when I feel the 6 is too small. It is nice to have a choice for different situations.

On the minus side, as with any back mount pony I cannot see it. I have never had it free flow, but it is a possibility that I must contend with.

 

[FredGarvin]

I have a 6cu ft pony I use for travel.

I mount it valve down on one of the CAM bands with a Remora quick release. The 2nd is on a 28inch hose that is held in place with a bungy cord with the second stage itself right next to the valve. It is tucked out of the way, but I can access it fast simply by grabbing the second and pulling. The quick release is not all that quick, so it is not viable to hand off and personally, handing someone a 6 cu ft bottle might just be giving them a 2nd chance to run OOA. The bottle is for me. Its position prevents someone from grabbing it thinking it is an octo in error.

On the plus side, I have a larger pony (13 cu ft) I mount exactly the same for local dives or when I feel the 6 is too small. It is nice to have a choice for different situations.

On the minus side, as with any back mount pony I cannot see it. I have never had it free flow, but it is a possibility that I must contend with.

Hey Grumpy,

I too take the 6 for travel. I tend to dive alone - meaning I get introduced to my dive buddy 30 seconds before splashing in - so I rely on no one but me. I like a 6 because of its size and ability to take me home from 90 feetish. I have the X-bracket but I find it cumbersome when I switch out tanks between dives. I carry an octo for the OOA diver situation but for me I feel better knowing I have my own redundant source... even if it is only a small amount of the gas of life.

Honestly I am asking no one to weigh in on the "perceived" lack of benefit of a 6 cu ft. I have read all the posts about this and to be frank I DON'T CARE. This is my decision and I am happy with it.

Finally, I'd love to see a picture or two of your bungee set up. I have never used a bungee and I'd love to see how you have the set-up mounted. I use a Seaquest Balance BCD ( back inflate) and I mount the tank valve down and to the side. I attach the second to a small rubber mouthpiece-holder off my left chest. Seems to get a bit crowded on my bosom.

Also, I am not sure what is a "Cam band".

Thank you again for your thoughtful answer.

Garv

 

[Crush]

Zeagle used to sell a cam band system with velcro wrap-around tabs that would allow you to strap in your pony to the cam bands (like your main tank) and then use the velcro wrap-around straps to attach the pony to your main tank cam band (while the cam band is loose). I tried the system and found that it was OK with smaller bottles, but eventually I tried to sling my pony and I much prefer that.

To sling a pony I use a system similar to that described here: DIR-diver.com - Stagebottle rigging .

It has been a while since I have see a 6 cu ft pony bottle, but I seem to recall that it is small enough that slinging it might not be worth it. I use a 19 cu ft bottle where slinging makes more sense.

 

[elmer fudd]

Hey Grumpy,

I too take the 6 for travel. I tend to dive alone - meaning I get introduced to my dive buddy 30 seconds before splashing in - so I rely on no one but me. I like a 6 because of its size and ability to take me home from 90 feetish. I have the X-bracket but I find it cumbersome when I switch out tanks between dives. I carry an octo for the OOA diver situation but for me I feel better knowing I have my own redundant source... even if it is only a small amount of the gas of life.

Honestly I am asking no one to weigh in on the "perceived" lack of benefit of a 6 cu ft. I have read all the posts about this and to be frank I DON'T CARE. This is my decision and I am happy with it.

Finally, I'd love to see a picture or two of your bungee set up. I have never used a bungee and I'd love to see how you have the set-up mounted. I use a Seaquest Balance BCD ( back inflate) and I mount the tank valve down and to the side. I attach the second to a small rubber mouthpiece-holder off my left chest. Seems to get a bit crowded on my bosom.

Also, I am not sure what is a "Cam band".

Thank you again for your thoughtful answer.

Garv

Actually, I'll weigh in on the other side. I've seen plenty of people here who claim to be capable of doing free ascents/CESA's from 90' and I believe them. I'm not sure I could do it myself, but I definitely know I could with a 6 cf bottle to breathe out of on the way up.

If I ever did end up doing an emergency ascent on a 6 cf bottle, my plan would be to go straight to 15' and then hang out there until it got difficult to breathe before making my final ascent to the surface.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Hey Grumpy,

I too take the 6 for travel. I tend to dive alone - meaning I get introduced to my dive buddy 30 seconds before splashing in - so I rely on no one but me. I like a 6 because of its size and ability to take me home from 90 feetish. I have the X-bracket but I find it cumbersome when I switch out tanks between dives. I carry an octo for the OOA diver situation but for me I feel better knowing I have my own redundant source... even if it is only a small amount of the gas of life.

Honestly I am asking no one to weigh in on the "perceived" lack of benefit of a 6 cu ft. I have read all the posts about this and to be frank I DON'T CARE. This is my decision and I am happy with it.

Finally, I'd love to see a picture or two of your bungee set up. I have never used a bungee and I'd love to see how you have the set-up mounted. I use a Seaquest Balance BCD ( back inflate) and I mount the tank valve down and to the side. I attach the second to a small rubber mouthpiece-holder off my left chest. Seems to get a bit crowded on my bosom.

Also, I am not sure what is a "Cam band".

Thank you again for your thoughtful answer.

Garv

Below is a picture of one of my rigs (the BP/W lives in LA, this one lives in Texas). The CAM bands are just tank bands (terminology thing). The Remora bracket is buried, the SS clamps are Home Depot specials. The regulator is simply an H20dessey 1 piece with a hose and a 90 added. On my 13, I use a standard reg but use 2 bungies, one at each end of the bottle since it is taller. Simply pulling on the 2nd is all you need to do to deploy. Stowing it after use is not possible, but you are by definition at the end of the dive.

I also don't really look for approval of the masses on my gear although I do listen to their logic. I practice valve drills and ascending with one of my redundant systems at least once a month from 80', so I am completely confident with the size of the bottle and familiar with its operational envelope. If you use a small bottle, its is very important to practice often so if you ever need it for real you stay calm, get ascending without delay and don't hoover the gas.