Question Need advice on attaching pony bottle

[swimmingpooldivein]

Hello!

I just completed the SDI Solo Diver certification, and I'm having trouble deciding how to attach a pony bottle. I dive with a drysuit and Tusa X-Wing BCD. I'm thinking about buying a 3L steel pony bottle. My thinking on options:

1. Mount pony bottle onto primary tank: my setup is already very heavy, so keeping the pony bottle separate is very appealing.
2. Mount pony bottle in front: I do lots of muck diving (getting up close to the silty bottom), so I think this will get in the way.
3. Sidemount pony bottle from shoulder D-ring to D-ring that's under the weight pocket: the D-ring that's under the weight pocket (see picture below) may not work because it's obstructed by the buldging integrated weight pocket. Also, I'm concerned that the pony bottle may accidentally unhook the weight pocket mid-dive and my weight pocket falls out.
4. Sidemount pony bottle from shoulder D-ring to plastic ring that's at the bottom-back of the BCD: this may keep the pony bottle from accidentally unhooking the weight pocket, but I have no idea what the plastic ring at the bottom-back of the BCD (see picture below) can be used for, and how much load it can bear. There's no mention of this plastic ring in the owner's manual.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you!

 

[happy-diver]

3L STEEL ON JACKET BC

2L STEEL WITH DOUBLE HOSE AND HORSECOLLAR

3L STEEL ON JACKET BC

3L STEEL ON STAINLESS PLATE

3L STEEL ON STAINLESS PLATE

Although the term "folly" may seem derogatory or insulting, it is actually a scientific concept that refers to a specific type of cognitive failure. It is important to realise that folly is not simply lack of intelligence nor knowledge, but rather a failure, to use one's cognitive abilities, effectively. This means that you may well be “smart” while having a low IQ, or no expertise in anything. It is often said that you can’t fix folly but that is not exactly true, and becoming aware of these limitations of our natural intelligence, or our ignorance, we can adjust our reasoning behaviour, and decision-making to account for our intellectual shortcomings


This one I'm actually plagiarising, because you can interchange terms, and learn, it really helps me see
and I do like it

 

[Dapper Dan]

Here's how I do it. But I'm not a nervous techie diver. I'm just not dragging a slung 40 all over the ocean for fun recreational diving. It becomes a job instead of fun then.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

Backmount, 19cf, Quick-Draw system for local cold water. I haul my 13cf when traveling.

 

[Dapper Dan]

I usually hang mine right-side-up as I can reach the valve over my shoulder. But I see a lot of divers with the vale-down position, I guess it;s just as easy to reach the valve that way too. Is there any reason one way is better or is it just personal preference? Maybe with the valve-down position the hose/reg can be stowed away easier?

 

[Boarderguy]

I usually hang mine right-side-up as I can reach the valve over my shoulder. But I see a lot of divers with the vale-down position, I guess it;s just as easy to reach the valve that way too. Is there any reason one way is better or is it just personal preference? Maybe with the valve-down position the hose/reg can be stowed away easier?

Valve down and routed under my arm. I can simply reach back to the valve when I need to. I dive mine charged and slightly on to maintain line pressure and prevent catastrophic loss when scooting.

 

[runsongas]

accidentally using a backmounted pony instead of the main tank is how OOG incidents and accidents have occurred. its harder to self verify vs a slung tank and it works until it doesn't.

 

[Boarderguy]

accidentally using a backmounted pony instead of the main tank is how OOG incidents and accidents have occurred. its harder to self verify vs a slung tank and it works until it doesn't.

That is a training problem, not a gear problem. Have a different 2nd or different mouthpiece so they can be physically distinguished without looking at them.

People also jump off boats with tanks off and dry suit zips open...

 

[runsongas]

that isn't a foolproof method either if you look at the history of doing so for distinguishing deco tanks vs bottom gas/travel gas where bad switches have occurred

 

[Boarderguy]

that isn't a foolproof method either if you look at the history of doing so for distinguishing deco tanks vs bottom gas/travel gas where bad switches have occurred

it is if that is your standard dive setup. Those bad gas switches were done without team verification or poorly labeled bottles. The deco, travel, and bottom gas were labeled on the tank and not necessarily a different reg. AND since we're talking breathing down your pony vs your back gas you still are not OOA, you have a 100+ on your back with the reg where you put it.

 

[runsongas]

that is the issue, using different seconds, colored mouthpieces, etc in place of team verification and proper labelling. if you are running a backmounted pony while solo, you are doing the same thing by relying on having a different 2nd, mouthpiece color, etc.

sure, you technically could figure out you were on the pony and switch to your main reg. but previous incidents have occurred where the diver runs OOG but their gauge is full, think they need to switch to their pony, find their unique pony 2nd only to get nothing out of it since the pony is empty, and things just go worse from there

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