Pony bottle question

[sylvester]

I use a 30cf pony bottle as a part time dive buddy. Since I am in the process of setting up BP and wing (have to get wing still), my question is this.

Can I still back mount my pony bottle when using a Halcyon Pioneer wing? Would back mounting interfere with the inflation of the wing ?

I know there are other methods to mount the pony bottle, I prefer to have it on my back unless, it will interfere with the proper operation of the wing itself.

Any one have any experance with this?

 

[RICHinNC]

Not as far a wing goes...a friend of mine uses one...try this web site for a universal mounting system...meaning....it goes on rental tanks just as easy...
www.sea-lutions.com/ponease

 

[Doppler]

Could you explain something about the rest of your system... I am trying to get a better understanding of why the 30 cubic foot needs to be mounted on your back... If you are using a wing and BP you should be wearing the bottle on your harness. If it's always part of your dive plan, think about getting an H valve on your main cyclinder (what size are you using) and following a dive plan that includes gas management... I guess the relevant question is: "how often do you use the pony?"

DD

 

[sylvester]

Sure I can explain, I am putting my wing and BP together. I have most of my parts still have to order my wing. But I am currently still using a BC with my pony bottle.

I was brain storming trying to plan how my gear would be in its final configuration when I relizedmy pony bottle would be mounted on the side of my tank...... Since I dont have the wing yet, I begain to wonder if it would interfere.

As to why I back mount it? Because thats where I want it. My pony bottle is only there for my bailout. I am slowly building my gear and do not see the need to mount it anywhere else. Maybe one day I will but not today.

How often do I use it? I carry it on deeper dives and dives where I am not with any one familar, I have only used it to practice with. I have not mismanaged my air yet, and needed it for real, nor have I had an equipment failure requiring me to switch to it.

If the need exist I will practice and change my carrying position, but I am comfortable with my gear as configured.

And your last question, I am using rental tanks mostly Alu 80s, but a steel HP100 is in my near future.

 

[raxafarian]

to answer your question... No, the pony won't physically interfere with the wing, or visa-versa.

I won't tell you to rig it, and give it a try, as a stage.

 

[sylvester]

Good, I like self inflicted change as a small piece at a time. It makes it easier to identify failure, sucess, good and bad.

Thanks for not , telling me to rig it as a stage.

 

[Doppler]

Sylvester:

now don't go getting all defensive... It's tough to get nuances of meaning across in this format, and I wasn't trying to preach... but you asked a question -- begats advice -- and I wanted to know more before blurting on.

Until you get that steel 100 (or whatever) -- at which time you will likely invest in an H valve -- you are following a "time honored" tradition wearing that pony on your back... not sure it's the most productive place but you have already made it clear you don't wanna change. OK. But do consider what you have said... you rent tanks... you are investing in a BP and wing... you have never had to use the pony for a bailout because your gas planning is good. In fact the only time you take it is when you dive with someone you don't know or when you dive deep. You are planning to buy a 100 cubic foot steel cylinder soon. What I don't have a clear picture of is how you are going to attach the pony to the rental tanks... but let's leave that for now.

It truly sound to me like it is time to rethink your configuration... you are graduating from a stab jacket style BC to a wing and backplate, why bring the old habits with you... I am not trying to push the full-on tech-rig down your throat but surely you can recognise an opportunity to adopt a more versatile rig?

Let's assume that the reason for taking this pony with you when diving with "strangers" is that you are going to get them to use it when they come to you OOA... is that fair? We haven't talked about the rest of your rig so I don't know. Well, to get back the this OOA situation: wouldn't you rather clip the bottle off to their BC and get on with the job of controlling their ascent?

You see, I am not a DIR fanatic... far from it (I do teach Holgarthian configuration though), I am simply trying to point out that without a full discussion of your gear and why you feel it works in your current applications, you cannot expect to get meaningful feedback from this forum. Of course if you simply want confirmation of something you already know... have fun.

DD =-)

 

[sylvester]

DD, Thank you for the advise, I did not get defensive I just want to make it clear I like the current position of my pony.

For your question of how I mount it, I have a bracket (imagine 2 C's placed closed end together) with one side having a snowboard type binding. It is attached to the main tank by the tank strap, nor clamps no tools, and it holds the pony in place with the self tighting binders.

I mount my BC to my main tank, attach my pony mount and secure my tank strap, then insert my pony bottle and close the binders.

For an OOA diver other then my self, I have a 7ft hose to mount on my pony because I was thinking I wanted the OOA diver to be able to control his or her own assent. But I have not yet attached the 7 ft hose.

Truth be know I carry it for myself. If I have a failure (air management or equipment) that creates an OOA situation I am prepared to take care of myself. Buddys are great but,I am a firm believer that $Hi1 happens and it happens at the worst time, failure to be prepared for the worst will always be a vicory for Murphy.

My dad always told me, "Every man is the master of his own destiny, therefore you are responsable for everything that happens or fails to happen to you".

Lastly, what I wanted was a nod it would work or the problem identified before hitting the water. I have not seen but a few sets of wings and BP , and those folks had stage bottles/independant manifolds etc. Not a pony back mounted the wing. So I ask a question to gather information from the folks using this gear.

But, I appricate everyones input and opinions. It makes me look at things from a differant view.

 

[ColdH20diving]

I dive with an OMS IQ PAK and 45lb wing, when I use my 19cuft pony bottle I attach it to my main tank using a soft cam band system. I know there are other ways to secure a pony bottle, but for the diving I do this system works best for me. I can see the advantages of some of the other methods and may experiment with other set ups down the road.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Pony tanks mounted on the back present an unacceptable entanglement hazard. There are other reasons not to back mount a pony but that one should be enough.