For divers with 19cf Pony Bottles, weight distribution and reduction

[Searcaigh]

I don't adjust the weight on my belt and sidesling my 30 cu ft pony / stage on my left

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

I do not drop any weight as I am willing to hand off my slung pony should the need arise....

1+.

I rarely use a pony, but when I do I do not take any lead off my weight belt.

I'm as close as I can get to being correctly weighted... reducing my usual ballast weight to offset the negative buoyancy of a full pony, or any additional "strap on" gear like a camera, etc., could potentially leave me under-weighted if I had to hand off that gear, accidentally dropped it, used the air in the pony, etc., near the end of the dive. While I can normally offset a couple/few pounds of positive/negative buoyancy with breathing control, I would not want to have to manage being a few pounds too buoyant and any other problem or emergency.

This is just my take on things...

Best wishes.

 

[Detroit Mudpuppy]

I use a 19 cubic foot Catalina back mounted without any changes to weight or adjustments. Pony band is similar to the Highland Millworks and 3 inches wide, 2 1/4 pounds in weight.

 

[savsuds]

When I used the Highland back mount, I found it easier to maintain trim by moving three pounds from one side to the other.

 

[2airishuman]

I have measured the negative buoyancy of my 19cf using a scale. With regulators and stage rigging it is -2.8 pounds when full.

I sling the pony on my left side. I remove 4 pounds of lead from the left side of my belt and add one pound to the right side of my belt, compared to a no-pony configuration.

 

[redacted]

In warm water, I only have 2 or 3 pounds on my belt. I sling the pony but do not drop any lead so as to retain the capability to hand off the pony if necessary. I do shift the weight and belt a bit toward my right hip.