caruso
Banned
Yes I know. I got it the first time.
Pony Bottle
- Thread starter LanceRiley
- Start date
Please register or login
Yes I know. I got it the first time.
Barnaby'sDad
Contributor
I use a 40 and sling it like a stage on the left side. Buoyancy wise...I don’t really notice it in the water most of the time. The only way I really notice it is when I use it as a bottom time extender (pre-planned to use it like that). When it gets a bit floaty, you just have to let out a bit of gas from your wing.
On the SPG...just orient it so that you can reach it/check it easily enough.
If you can...test it out in a pool or a calm spot before taking it on a “real” dive. I did a pool session the first time I used mine and took the opportunity to adjust the rigging and my D-ring locations.
On the SPG...just orient it so that you can reach it/check it easily enough.
If you can...test it out in a pool or a calm spot before taking it on a “real” dive. I did a pool session the first time I used mine and took the opportunity to adjust the rigging and my D-ring locations.
Ok. So as I understand your post, you are diving as a solo diver in that you do not keep a reserve to act as alternate air for your buddy. So you want to use a pony as your reserve, could be for you or your buddy.
Do you plan to keep the bottle in an air share or hand it off?
OP
LanceRiley
Contributor
actually i never dive solo.
I want something for emergencies.
Although i've never needed one, I could use it for some extra time underwater. Although 90% of time to assist those newer buddies with high gas consumption.
Air Share or hand it off? hmm.. never thought of that... maybe airshare while i help him to the surface
I didn’t mean that you actually dive solo but that you are apparently diving your tank beyond the reserve where both you and your buddy can safely ascend on your tank in an OOG situation. Otherwise you would not need a pony tank for buddy diving. Its not a judgement but simply the reason that I understand that you feel the need for a pony with buddy diving.
So in this respect, you and your buddy (or at least your buddy) are solo in that apparently neither carries a gas reserve for the other.
So in this respect, you and your buddy (or at least your buddy) are solo in that apparently neither carries a gas reserve for the other.
OP
LanceRiley
Contributor
Like i said.. after 100+ dives. I never needed a pony bottle.
I never said I need a pony bottle.
I merely WANT a pony bottle as an added security to others in my company.
I am always at my safety stop before i reach 50bar. yes i would ascend at 40-50 bar. but that is 3-5mins after my safety stop... dwindling near the boat at shallow depth.
lanceRiley. Another thought/idea for you. For any dives involving depth over 20m we as a matter of course have a tank/reg setup slung below the boat on a 5.0-6.0m line. That's as a backup to regular air checks of our customers to try to ensure no one ever needs to use it.
JXT71
Registered
I use an AL30 slung on the left with I think a 26" octo hose and naked spg on 6" hose, as others have suggested. More than enough to safely terminate any dive with a safety stop in rec limits, which is where it's used. Hardly notice it in the water. I don't use it when I have a buddy.
But after reading your follow-up posts, I think better gas management/awareness or a more conservative dive plan would be more beneficial to you and your dive buddies than the pony. A pony should not be factored in to your dive plans, whether it's "extra time underwater" or "added security to others."
But after reading your follow-up posts, I think better gas management/awareness or a more conservative dive plan would be more beneficial to you and your dive buddies than the pony. A pony should not be factored in to your dive plans, whether it's "extra time underwater" or "added security to others."
I’ve ventured off the standard path a bit by hanging my pony on the right, but my setup sounds similar to the OP’s so I thought I would chime in.
I have a Scubapro Classic BC with an air2 (on the left). My analog SPG is also on the left (the hose and console clip to a D-ring so they don’t dangle). My primary (on the right of course) has a 40” hose. I sling my 19 cf pony on my right side. That way I have easy access to my air2 and spg on the left. The pony does not interfere with my primary regulator and both the first and second stage regulators of my pony are just inches below my chin. It would only take 1-2 seconds to begin using my pony if ever needed.
I began using a pony last year when I went on vacation with my non-diving wife, and I was diving in the mornings. I did not want to count on an insta buddy for air if needed. Now I just like the security of having redundant air.
My 19 year old son is my dive buddy. I’ve told him if he ever needs air, to give me the OOA sign if he can, but get the regulator out of my mouth and don’t go chasing my air2 or the pony tank air. I’ll figure that out quick enough.
I have a Scubapro Classic BC with an air2 (on the left). My analog SPG is also on the left (the hose and console clip to a D-ring so they don’t dangle). My primary (on the right of course) has a 40” hose. I sling my 19 cf pony on my right side. That way I have easy access to my air2 and spg on the left. The pony does not interfere with my primary regulator and both the first and second stage regulators of my pony are just inches below my chin. It would only take 1-2 seconds to begin using my pony if ever needed.
I began using a pony last year when I went on vacation with my non-diving wife, and I was diving in the mornings. I did not want to count on an insta buddy for air if needed. Now I just like the security of having redundant air.
My 19 year old son is my dive buddy. I’ve told him if he ever needs air, to give me the OOA sign if he can, but get the regulator out of my mouth and don’t go chasing my air2 or the pony tank air. I’ll figure that out quick enough.
OP
