This sounds like using a pony to replace proper gas planning and lack of training. Exactly the reason so many divers think pony's are a bad idea.
Rock bottom reserves are supposed to be planned with stress accounted for and with some regular practice, it should not be a catastrophic situation, just a minor "o-****" followed by an well practiced response.
FWIW: I do dive with a pony when solo, I believe it can be the right tool for the job but is not a universal solution to all issues, nor to make you feel warm and fuzzy.
I agree with all but the first line of this
unless you happen to be referring to a potential dive buddy's lack of gas planning and training (not that of Mproekt1 whose post prompted the comment quoted above) If you were referring to the potential buddy's shortcomings, I agree completely!!!
I am still getting used to planning gas for myself, and always try to set my turn point to allow plenty of gas to get myself and my buddy (if I have one) through a few minutes of "creative problem solving" at depth, plus a normal ascent, deco if necessary, safety stop, and surfacing... A slung pony on my kit does not factor into the actual cubic feet of gas I intend to require for this. I attempt to dive with either manifolded doubles or a slung pony/stage, or both if I am not carrying deco gas.
I can take responsibility for my own gas planning and training, and for the consequences of falling short in this department. The redundant supply is primarily for the person who cannot or will not control or take responsibility theirs, or has a catastrophic equipment failure, or other emergency. I feel that it reduces the chances of another person's misfortune becoming my own, and increases the chances of both of us surfacing on a positive note.
I carry the redundancy partly because I do not want a panicked diver breathing gas from the same first stage as me. (especially if we are in cold water). I prefer the ability to be able to attach the pony to an OOA diver if I either cannot control them, cannot ascend with them due to a potential deco obligation or safety stop I do not wish to miss, or if I cannot free that person from an entanglement/entrapment, and must leave their presence to get more tools/help/gas from a nearby location. (Either way, they are going to be breathing on my 7' long hose or from a bottle I can separate quickly from my own kit so that I can get some distance from them if necessary)
I know that this "philosophy" takes a slightly different direction (and is certainly more long-winded) than Mproekt1's, but the common theme remains... Two open water divers with direct access to the surface, exercising good buddy skills and even mediocre gas planning and monitoring
should be able to avoid the need for a pony. That having been said, I feel there are too many variables underwater for me to go there except on the simplest shallowest buddy dives without redundancy in my gas supply. I would like to think that this does not mean that I am inadequately trained or lack gas planning skills.
While I hate to see people use a pony (or any other piece of equipment) as a substitute for proper skills, planning, training, judgement, I REALLY dislike seeing divers subjected to some perception that planning and equipping for the unexpected implies that they lack skills, knowledge, or experience. Such planning and equipment selection to me implies that a diver's mind is in the right place, and that they are prepared to deal with and assist a fellow diver who falls short in some regard.
Safe Diving!!!
Will
