To Pony or Not To Pony

[Doc Intrepid]

im too doing my padi wreck but i was going to do more like a stage so im use to haveing it in front all rdy have a steal 30 yes yes i know but steal will last me forever thou

This falls into the category of unsolicited pontification, so ignore it as desired. But...

one reason why some divers feel that steel stages are less desirable is that as a Luxfer aluminum stage/deco tank empties it becomes lighter at the butt end - overall either neutrally bouyant or slightly positive. With a proper harness the stage/deco tank tends to rise slightly up into the slipstream around the diver's body, keeping it tight and streamlined. It does not hang below the diver like a keel.

With a steel stage, this does not occur. The steel tank tends to remain negatively bouyant throughout the dive and hangs beneath the diver's horizontal plane, effectively acting like a keel.

Some diver's prefer steel stages, and so be it. However, when you begin carrying two stage/deco tanks, especially tanks along the relative sizes of an 80 and a 40, and you have steel tanks - you're humping more weight than you need to hump, and you're working harder to hump it than you need to work. Which raises all sorts of other potential complications, to include CO2 buildup.

To each their own. YMMV.

Regards,

Doc

 

[Xanthro]

Some diver's prefer steel stages, and so be it. However, when you begin carrying two stage/deco tanks, especially tanks along the relative sizes of an 80 and a 40, and you have steel tanks - you're humping more weight than you need to hump, and you're working harder to hump it than you need to work. Which raises all sorts of other potential complications, to include CO2 buildup.
Doc

And you can't float steel stages up a line.

 

[drbill]

Although I rarely dive overhead environments, I carry my pony bottle 99.99% of my dives. Primarily because I usually dive solo, but also can get separated from my regular buddies since we all do underwater photography or videography. Why not increase your safety factor substantially for a relatively small investment (good life insurance).

 

[KBeck]

Doc--
Thank you actually very much for your "pontification". I am just getting to the place where I'm considering adding a pony (well, after I change out my BC.....but that's another topic ).
You've provided very clear, uncomplicated explanation of some reasonings for the decision making process as a whole. I have been on the board and exposing myself to some of technical talk, but it can be overwhelming...your explanation is well written without dumbing things down. Thank you!

 

[wetrat]

Great thread - I'm doing my SSI wreck/deep/nitrox specialties this weekend or next depending on conditions. My DM required me to buy a pony and I wondered the same thing - is this about safety or $$$? Now I feel better, except I was doing a search through the threads and discovered that a 19 cu ft pony is about the minimum size you would want for a controlled ascent from 100 ft. Mine's 13 cf and already bought.

Another thing - at my DMs suggestion, I went ahead and bought a new bottle with nitrox stickers. That way, if I or my buddy needs it, we won't be absorbing as much nitrogen as regular air.

 

[moneysavr]

I dive some times with new divers,sometimes with old pros and thease guys dove when they did not have BCD's~! and then its a same lake dive,not a buddy dive,
I am a deep Great lake wreck diver and we seem and the East coast divers hang ponys,
As Doc says its Life Insurance cheap,as long as its a min of 30 cu, sling it clamp it I just have it on all dives more than 55'fsw just my rule and will not go into that-

One thing I cant wing doubles as to bad knees,but can sling a stage on a pass off the boat,but a pony I can clip on too, so if you dive deep,dive solo,or just like to back up your Beep! a pony rules over spare air any day!
My 3 cents,
Brad
OOOOP's Time to load up and head to West Palm Beach and Largo to dive! See the Sun! I need to see SUN!
Bye Bye
Brad

 

[charlieo]

I have been finding LDS PADI training courses each follow different equipment requirements in order to participate in a course. In particular, a pony bottle is required to take certain courses(Wreck/Deep), but is not an issue with other LDS's. PADI does specify minimum requirements say number of dives for certification. I am curious as to why there would be divergent equipment requirements between LDS PADI training.

I am concerned that it just may be another way an LDS is getting divers to buy more gear than they really need. Do you think it is responible for LDS to require pony bottles for courses such as this?

Yes, it is responsible for them to require a pony bottle for such a course. IMHO depth+overhead without redundant air source = STUPID. Strong statement let the flames begin!

 

[super opus]

there will be many of stag to come if i dont like the steal i will go with the other but agin many divers i talked to said one or the other but my instrecter is more toard steal so thats why im going with it but agin Luxfer aluminum are very very popler too i have not got the steal yet maby i rent one of each and check it out see wich one i like better

 

[KOMPRESSOR]

Pony or not...

In my opinion a pony on the side of your main tank may offset your balance a bit. I've also noticed that most (not all) pony users have some crappy old regs on their ponys! Why? In my view, by planning your purchases and getting a small set of doubles instead of buying that pony in addition to your single tanks (You have several, right? ), will keep you more or less on the same budget. And you're getting a better and safer config as well.

A small pony with no pressure gauge, and with crappy regs you hardly ever use? -For an emergency situation?? No t(h)anks!

 

[super opus]

well im going to doubles my 100s and stuff but i want pool time with that befor i start to dive it
thats why i was going to use it as a deco/stage