And is the perceived benefit of a pony to recreational diving also conjecture.Do you not understand what conjecture is?. I did not make a statement of fact.
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And is the perceived benefit of a pony to recreational diving also conjecture.Do you not understand what conjecture is?. I did not make a statement of fact.
What I’m saying is a pony does not replace a good buddy, not by a long shot. Where any type of diving is concerned recreational or not. The instant you become separated your risk has increased significantly.A number on this thread are arguing that they are not a good idea. I have no issues with those that choose not to use them only those that discourage the use by others.
Don’t disagree. But that nicely makes the case for redundant gas.Ditchable weight is redundant buoyancy. A wing, drysuit, lift bags, SMBs are basically tits on a bull if you haven’t got any gas to put in them.
What I’m saying is a pony does not replace a good buddy, not by a long shot. Where any type of diving is concerned recreational or not. The instant you become separated your risk has increased significantly.
The answer to buddy separation in recreational diving is to surface not continue with the dive, if you’re planning on diving solo in the case of separation you need to tell others on the dive that that’s what you intend. A commercial diver on surface supply with hat and bailout has a standby on the surface and there on coms. The bailout is for a failure of the surface supply as the diver may not have access to the surface. A recreational diver should always be able to surface and stay with a buddy. If that’s not the intention then they should dive solo and train and equip for solo diving.I don't think anyone would argue that a pony replaces a good buddy. Solo diving is a whole other discussion / discipline.
You are correct, the instant you become separated from your buddy your risk increases significantly. Having an independent gas supply mitigates one of those risks.
A pony is not suitable at 40m when you have decompression stops. At 25m it is likely that it is all that is required to get you safely back to the surface, having completed any and all decompression requirements.
Even when a pony is insufficient (aka 40m), it does give you 'time', to get to your buddy and use their AAS.
What is interesting, in a lot of cases, if you are "at work" in the UK, you are required to have a pony (or independent AAS). Even 'sat' diving on surface supply with standby divers, divers are still required to wear a smaller OC set.
We attempt to mitigate any perceived risk / failure. AAS (Octopus) are now routinely carried by 99% of recreational divers. When I started buddy breathing was the solution to gas failure/problems. All training agencies require an AAS and it is a core part of diver training. The AAS has replaced buddy breathing, not because buddy breathing does not work. But because there are associated risks with buddy breathing that an AAS immediately mitigates. A pony (or twinset) mitigates risks associated with relying on a buddy and their AAS.
I predominantly dive in the UK. Visibility can be any thing from 15m+ to 15mm. Sometimes on the same dive. Having an independent AAS makes sense. When I have an immediate gas problem, I have immediate gas solution.
I tend to dive with a camera. Buddy separation is a constant concern. In many ways, if they are carrying a camera the risk is even higher. In the UK, all of the photographers I have dived with prefer to dive with an independent gas supply. We may loose contact with each other, but the objective is to stay together, it enhances both our safety and enjoyment. Most of my diving is club based, you cannot solo dive, if you do, you don't dive with the club!
The big problem, is any activate that increases task loading increase the risk of both diver separation and gas / time issues. That includes adverse conditions, photography, marine life survey, wreck penetration, navigation etc.
Interestingly, when I first certified, NAUI (back in 1994) we were taught to use a pony bottle and had to carry them on rec dives. It was for emergencies, not to extend a dive, and only if you were somehow separated from your buddy and their octo! After not diving for many years I recertified with my son with PADI, and was surprised that we didn’t use a pony. I guess it’s what you are used to and what you have learned.Just my personal opinion, but use of pony bottles should be in "Advanced" and not "Basic"
No!.And is the perceived benefit of a pony to recreational diving also conjecture.
Interesting. PADI's philosophy seems to be to make diving as accessible to the masses as possible. Asking every newly certified diver to buy and use a pony bottle, and encouraging dive centers around the world to rent pony bottles as part of their standard package, all so that the pony would be there at the ready in the rare case of buddy separation, seems a lot more burdensome than instilling good buddy practices. The 800-pound gorilla of dive training known as PADI may be an easy target for derision, but their system does seem to be sufficient to keep the vast majority of people who consider themselves to be PADI divers safe. I can take off my Captain Obvious cape now.Interestingly, when I first certified, NAUI (back in 1994) we were taught to use a pony bottle and had to carry them on rec dives. It was for emergencies, not to extend a dive, and only if you were somehow separated from your buddy and their octo! After not diving for many years I recertified with my son with PADI, and was surprised that we didn’t use a pony. I guess it’s what you are used to and what you have learned.