pony size and stuff while diving with a single tank

[Homunculus]

hi all,
the class that i really want to take next year (Naui Master Scuba Diver) lists a pony bottle with itsown 1st and 2nd stage as a requirement. i have a few questions with that regard:
(1) what size pony should I get and what material? I dive with single steel HP100 tank, most dives are relatively shallow shore dives (15 meters max), but there are some deeper dives once in a while. i'm pretty sure there will be some deep dives for that class, of course within recreational limits. i'm not planning to dive doubles.
(2) if i decide to always dive with a pony, is it kosher to remove my octo from my regular tank and put it on my pony bottle? i'd have to get a 1st stage but that's obvious. my octo is identical to the primary 2nd stage.
(3) if answer to Q2 is a big NO, do people buy cheap regs for their pony bottles or they try to match the quality of their pony regs to the tank regs?
thanks a lot.

 

[crpntr133]

Oh Lord, here we go again! Please don't ask if you should sling it or tank mount it!!

 

[all4scuba05]

Oh boy. I'm out of here. I can't witness the beatings again.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

My advice would be that before you buy anything, get in touch with the instructor you'd probably take the course with and ask them. Have them work through with you what your redundant air source needs are and possible solutions before you spend any money.

 

[bolantej]

^^^ what he said.

 

[Lock Down]

Good advice, because this discussion could get long and messy. Ask the instructor before you purchase anything...

 

[ZzzKing]

Ask the instructor before you purchase anything...

Of course it could be the instructor who is trying to sell more ponies...

 

[Doc Intrepid]

(1) what size pony should I get and what material?

Get an aluminum Luxfer cylinder. A 19 cu ft should work for the class. As you say you have no intention of using doubles, then a 30 would likely be harder to sell later.

(2) if i decide to always dive with a pony, is it kosher to remove my octo from my regular tank and put it on my pony bottle?

No. You may hand off a pony to some other diver. It is generally considered wise to retain 2 means of inhaling from your backgas. You are always diving with Murphy, regardless of who else may be along...

(3) if answer to Q2 is a big NO, do people buy cheap regs for their pony bottles or they try to match the quality of their pony regs to the tank regs?

Let us ponder together. Q. When would we use a pony or 'bail-out' bottle? A. When we have massively screwed the pooch and failed to plan, OR, having planned, failed to properly execute the plan; OR when we have massively screwed the pooch and failed to maintain our gear, whereupon it craps the bed at the most inopportune time; OR when someone else suddenly finds themselves with issues and we wish to be noble and provide them with a temporary solution. Q. Under such dire circumstances, do we wish to rely upon a 'cheap regulator' to save our poor, suffering ***, or would we prefer something more reliable than a 23 year old Dacor something we bought at a garage sale for $30? Mikhail, let your conscience be your guide!

Best,

Doc

 

[hudson]

1) If the pony is your emergency gas, then the size of your backgas is irrelevant when considering the sizing of your pony as it's never part of your gas plan, except potentially as half of your rockbottom gas. 19cf should get you out of any recreational depth, however if you don't see yourself ever hitting 130ft and your SAC is low 13cf may work for you.

2) You can use a pony without handing it off to anyone - that's what I do, my pony is mine only. In that case having yet another 2nd stage on your backgas adds little value.

 

[Homunculus]

Oh Lord, here we go again! Please don't ask if you should sling it or tank mount it!!

i specifically DID NOT ask anything related to the aforementioned controversy. i do my research before asking, so no lord's mentioning is necessary