Pony in Roatan?

[QatarDiver]

You guys seem to have missed the OP's reason for carrying a pony, he stated ' am not intending to use a pony as part of my gas management. It is for if ***** happens.' So the need for it is independent of consumption rate. You carry a pony as a completley redundant air source, 2 of everything, not to get 10 minutes more dive time! Personally, I use one, just 1 litre, for dives where I could not do a CESA, for me thats 30m or more, or where there is no overhead ascent. 1L may not be much, but it can get me to my buddy or the surface with a stop. And no, I havent had to use it yet, and hope never to.

 

[DandyDon]

Certainly a safer idea always. I'm surprised at those that say you don't need it.

They are very rarely seen but having it filled should be no problem. Remember- the TSA and airline regs say the bottle must be open. That means nothing whatsoever blocking the neck, no kleenex, no clear tape. The dive-op will assist you in reassembling it with a wrench.

Have you ever carried a pony on a plane?

Airline regs may vary, but I remove the valve and cover the neck with 2" tape to keep foreign objects out and the inside clean, with a little bit of tape folded back on each end for easy removal. TSA regs requiring it to be open mean for the valve to be removed. I long ago lost count of how many trips I've done with mine and no problems.

Replace the valve on arrival, then take it to the dive shop ASAP. Just ask for help tightening the valve and for it to be filled in the morning when they run the compressor.

 

[Graeme Tolton]

Certainly a safer idea always. I'm surprised at those that say you don't need it.

Have you ever carried a pony on a plane?

Airline regs may vary, but I remove the valve and cover the neck with 2" tape to keep foreign objects out and the inside clean, with a little bit of tape folded back on each end for easy removal. TSA regs requiring it to be open mean for the valve to be removed. I long ago lost count of how many trips I've done with mine and no problems.

Replace the valve on arrival, then take it to the dive shop ASAP. Just ask for help tightening the valve and for it to be filled in the morning when they run the compressor.

I took my 6cf to coz last year.... I have since parted ways with it though. The airport was no real issue with it, although they did swab it for explosive residue...

Strange that no one else uses them there I find... Here in the great white north, it is usually the more experienced divers who do carry redundancy. I have never had to use it and I hope not to have to.

The main reason I would bring it is that, i don't like to have to rely on instabuddy for help in an emergency.

 

[DandyDon]

The use of ponies does seem more common along the wreck diving NE-US and in the north, less common in the more touristy destinations I suppose. A bit of a hassle to transport and a 30 cf is even larger than my 19 sure, but if you ever need it once - you'd be glad you bothered. Since you own one, the reg & sling for it, why not? Just work it into your luggage plan, and I guess you'll be paying for a second bag anyway? If you fly Continental, the second bag can be up to 70# without excess weight charges if it is all scuba gear - but print out that page to take with you in case the gate agent forgets their rule.

The main reason I would bring it is that, i don't like to have to rely on instabuddy for help in an emergency.

It was a buddy's screw up last August that made me glad I toted mine everywhere.