Pony/Redundant Set-up

[doctormike]

I sling a 30 cf pony from the D rings on my backplate (left hip, left shoulder). Virtually disappears underwater, even with the big camera rig. Easy to deploy, no significant disturbance in my trim that I can tell (I balance a few pounds of weight).

Atomic Z2 secured with these hose retainers, and a button pressure gauge that screws right into the HP port on the first stage.

 

[Dr Wu]

I assume it's because he wants to actually learn something about it, make as few mistakes as possible setting it up and so on.

I suppose anything is possible but I'm not seeing that level of logic here.

Most people who want to learn about something put a little effort into researching the subject.

Of course that's just my opinion*.



* The thing the OP asked for.

 

[merxlin]

I suppose anything is possible but I'm not seeing that level of logic here.

Most people who want to learn about something put a little effort into researching the subject.

Of course that's just my opinion*.



* The thing the OP asked for.

However, you did not offer your opinion on any of the items asked by the OP in your reply, you asked a question. So you did not provide "the thing the OP asked for".

 

[CavemanScuba]

I suppose anything is possible but I'm not seeing that level of logic here.

Most people who want to learn about something put a little effort into researching the subject.

Of course that's just my opinion*.



* The thing the OP asked for.

How is asking a question on this board not an effort into researching the subject?

 

[CavemanScuba]

doctormike-
Thank you for the very informative reply.

 

[Crush]

At least PADI and NAUI teach that there is a place for a redundant air supply (i.e., a pony) in diving, especially with deep dives. The choice is really up to you.

Personally, I like the idea of a redundant air supply but at this stage in my diving I am not into doubles. I therefore opt for a pony on some dives. Dives on which I believe that a pony is reasonable are: deep, cold, solo, or any combination thereof. I may well have missed something.

There was an excellent link at Rock Bottom and Gas Management for Recreational Divers (Rock Bottom and Gas Management for Recreational Divers | Spherical Chicken) which shows that, if you want to go deeper but within recreational limits, a 19 is a good size, and 13 is a tad too small.

The best advice that I can offer is that, if you choose to dive with a pony, practice deploying it and stowing it regularly. Since a pony has a small capacity it will run down quickly. I top mine off from my main tanks with a device such as this: Tank to Tank Equalizer With Gauge reviews and discounts, IST (Tank to Tank Equalizer With Gauge discounts on sale IST)

I find that surface-swimming face-down with one mounted on your back is a pain. You might consider a stage/deco straps such as those indicated in Stage/Deco Straps and Hose Retainers by Dive Rite - Dive Gear Express (Stage/Deco Straps and Hose Retainers by Dive Rite - Dive Gear Express) rather than a mounting bracket.

I sling mine like this: DIR-diver.com - Stagebottle rigging (DIR-diver.com - Stagebottle rigging). The only objection that I have heard to slinging a bottle is that it might get in the way if you are lobster hunting. I would stress that, if you dive with a pony, deploy it regularly so that it is second nature.

I prefer to sling my pony for the following reasons:

1. I can put the pony on or take it off in seconds - no tools, no hassle. I suppose that I could "hand it off" to someone underwater, but I don't think that this will realistically be necessary;
2. I can always see my pony tank and the reg. I can see if my reg is free-flowing, or if there appears to be a leak from the O-ring. If it snags on something, I can see what it snagged and fix the situation;
3. My basic gear configuration is unchanged - I use a primary and a bungee'd octo/secondary necklace. The pony reg is bungee'd to the pony bottle, far from my other two regs, and therefore will not be confused with them; and
4. I can consult the pressure gauge on my pony - this gauge is obviously connected to the pony and therefore will not be confused with my main tank pressure.

As a final note, many tech divers will pressurize their stage bottle then turn the valve off to prevent inadvertent gas loss during a dive. Perhaps one day I will do this, but so far, my pony is pressurized and the valve stays open during the dive. This might not be great if I had to rely on that gas for a deco obligation, but I believe that I am likely to see a leak in the pony.

Safe diving.

 

[CavemanScuba]

Crush-
That is awesome information! Thanks for the help.

 

[NeedABiggerBoat]

I sling a al40 clipped to my left chest d ring and left waist d ring, with a 1'' button pressure gauge. Slinging is only comfortable with a al30 or bigger though. Anything smaller is best strapped to the primary tank and should have a SPG on a hose somewhere visible. Just ignore the troublemakers on the board, they are the minority.

 

[djtimmy77]

I use a 19 on deeper dives, sling it on my ranger with the DIR-Diver stage rigging linked above. Works great and doesn't get in the way in the water, or on the tank holders in the boat. I bungee the extra hose with some surgical tubing I picked up along with the bolt snaps at scubatoys on a business trip to the DFW area.

 

[Crush]

I sling a al40 clipped to my left chest d ring and left waist d ring, with a 1'' button pressure gauge. Slinging is only comfortable with a al30 or bigger though. Anything smaller is best strapped to the primary tank and should have a SPG on a hose somewhere visible. Just ignore the troublemakers on the board, they are the minority.

I sling my AL19 without any problems.