To Pony or Not To Pony

[BigTuna]

I've been diving wrecks in New Jersey for the past year. The boat captains here require an alternate air supply. For me with my single tank, that meant a pony. Since I wasn't sure this was going to be my kind of game, I rented initially. Why can't you rent for a course?

Later, I bought my own pony, diving with it attached to my tank. Then this autumn I went on a diving vacation to the Bahamas, using rental tanks, and no alternate air. Guess what--I felt exposed, regarding risk. My buddies were strangers or simply bad buddies, for various reasons. In essence I was solo diving, and without an alternate air source!

This drove home that I've absorbed that an alternate air source is a good lifestyle. It doesn't matter that it's wreck diving, or night diving, or whatever. Whenever I'm beneath the surface, if my life support system is vulnerable to a single-point failure mechanism (the tank and first stage O-rings, primarily), I don't feel I'm diving responsibly. With the pony, I feel I've addressed that risk exposure.

I'm in the process of reading my pony for vacation diving. I'm going to start slining it, so I can use it hassle-free it wherever I dive, and I'm upgrading its regulators to match my primary regs. This is to give me added confidence in cold water performance and emergency performance when diving at home, or anywhere else.

As an aside, regarding size, I'm using a 19 cuft pony. I've done my rock bottom calculations for it and know that it will get me up safely. My next step is to prove my calculations on a couple of dives, keeping back gas in reserve.

 

[Hoyden]

There is a specific gear configuration for PADI/DSAT technical courses (Tec Diver Level 1, Tec Deep Diver, Tec Trimix Diver) - manifolded doubles and a stage to start. This conversation is about recreational classes. As far as I can tell, there is latitude for PADI instructors to set requirements above PADI's.

If you are thinking about continuing into tec diving, consider either going ahead and getting doubles or when buying a "pony" bottle, get an al 40 so you can use it later as a stage/deco bottle. Also, look at your bcd and see if it is possible to carry your pony slung like a stage.

I guess the most important thing that I would say is that if you are worried about your instructor suggesting gear for profit motives only, it is time to look for a new instructor. This is someone you are trusting to teach you how to survive/be safe in an environment that is inherently dangerous. IMO, finding the right instructor (even if it means traveling for classes) is really important.

Jackie Cooper

 

[tedwhiteva]

I'm in the process of reading my pony for vacation diving. I'm going to start slining it, so I can use it hassle-free it wherever I dive, and I'm upgrading its regulators to match my primary regs. This is to give me added confidence in cold water performance and emergency performance when diving at home, or anywhere else.
.

Me too. I am taking pony ony vacation next week. I am given to understand that if valve is removed it can go in baggage - we'll see!

 

[Web Monkey]

If you haven't used it yet, see if you can trade the 13 in on 30 or at least a 19.

Also, forget the Nitrox. If you need to use your pony, the last thig you want to be worrying about is whether your current depth is more than the MOD for the mix in the tank. You never know where you're going to be when the **it hits the fan. Having plain air means it's breathable anyplace you're likely to find yourself.

I wouldn't worry about Nitrogen absorption. If you're breating on the pony you should be headed back to the surface.

If you want to see if a 13 will get you there, check out this spreadsheet: http://www.scubaboard.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=23647&d=1130177266


Terry

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.

 

[Web Monkey]

Me too. I am taking pony ony vacation next week. I am given to understand that if valve is removed it can go in baggage - we'll see!

That's a definite "maybe".

Although the FAA and TSA say it's OK, Some airlines refuse to take it anyway.

Terry

 

[super opus]

do freat forwarding is the best thing to do i kno wmany ppl that do that for when they dont feel like renting some things

 

[SDAnderson]

do freat forwarding is the best thing to do i kno wmany ppl that do that for when they dont feel like renting some things

你的本地的语言是什么？

 

[super opus]

what dose ===== mean

 

[jeckyll]

reefraff: I think maybe he meant "Freight forwarding".

superopus: Dude, spelling counts.

 

[markfm]

That's a definite "maybe".

Although the FAA and TSA say it's OK, Some airlines refuse to take it anyway.

Terry

It goes checked luggage, valve removed with a clear bag over the neck.
Airline refusal should be a non-issue -- it's inside luggage, and airline employees aren't supposed to be inside people's luggage. If TSA is happy on inspection, that's all there should be to it.

I've only been on a few vacations, pony came along (regs in my carry-on) -- no problems yet. Make sure your pony has a current VIS -- the op I went with in FL needed that, to be willling to fill it on site.