Side mounting a pony

[gregmontalbano]

I've recently come across two schools of thought when it comes to carrying a pony bottle. An instructor that works at my dive shop (also an avid cave and wreck diver) said the best way to do it is sling it like a stage bottle but treat the gas the same as a pony, that is not part of your "back gas" or any planned reserve. The owner of the shop, also an avid wreck diver said that's the completely wrong way to do it, and side mounting like that is only done for stage bottles.

I've followed the advice of the instructor for the meantime, side mounted the 40 as a pony, tried it out on a ocean dive recently and it worked very well. I've tried both methods, and find that side mounting is easier and in my mind just more logical. Any opinions on this?

 

[hudson]

There are about a million threads on this if you search. But the owner of the shop is completely off base.

 

[Nemrod]

I used to have it on my tank, now I sling it. The only time it is not good to sling the bottle would be if you were actually carrying stages and in that case your likely on doubles and therefore will not have a pony along.

N

 

[Hemlon]

I recently started carrying a pony bottle and mine is attached to my Zeagle BC using Zeagle pony attachment straps.

It seems like slinging the bottle would stir up silty bottoms and decrease vis. Is this true?

If so, what actions do you take to prevent it?

 

[Nemrod]

Why would it stir up the bottom, it does not drag or hang below,if it does it is not correctly rrigged. The bottles rides up between your arm and torso with the aft end canted upward. the valve is not below the diver and neither is the bottle. Aluminum bottles are correct for slinging as they are more bouynat. N

 

[gregmontalbano]

No silt outs with the sidemount, don't know how that would affect that really, just stay off the bottom.

and thanks for the replies

 

[Hemlon]

Why would it stir up the bottom, it does not drag or hang below,if it does it is not correctly rrigged. The bottles rides up between your arm and torso with the aft end canted upward. the valve is not below the diver and neither is the bottle. Aluminum bottles are correct for slinging as they are more bouynat. N

Can you provide a photo or illustration that shows correct slinging?

 

[joe rock]

This is one of those that everyone will have an opinion - even those telling you you're gonna die because you use a pony bottle

Since you have a 40 cu.ft. bottle, I would sling it - just my $.02

JR

 

[gregmontalbano]

Not me, but demonstrates the proper mounting for sidemount.

 

[bolantej]

I sling mine and it works fine for me.