To pony or not to pony

[divemed06]

In a perfect world, would everyone have a pony bottle? Any DM and Instructors out there that would recommend the use of a pony bottle as an independant air souce (I still dive very close to my buddy!!!) Luckily, money in this case is not that big of an issue....so would you recommend that the "average diver" invests in an independant air source.
Thanks

 

[maj2]

If diving deep (below 60ft), I believe the PADI line is that you should have a redundant air supply available, and it makes sense.
If money is not a big issue, a pony is a smart idea. Hopefully it will never have to be used in an emergency, but it is good insurance (indeed, it could be argued that it is the only form of insurance that is of use while still under water!). A well planned dive can always encounter problems, and a pony could be the differnece between a controlled ascent with safety stop and an emergency ascent.
Devices such as SpareAir are also available, but are limited as far as the amount of air they can supply.
A good sized pony bottle is a definite asset, and in deeper dives, its presence will make you an even better buddy.

 

[SubMariner]

A pony is a definite asset, but only if you take it along!

As a rule Pearce doesn't actually take the pony in the water unless we are:
1) diving deep
2) taking a several students
3) both

Since he already has the harness on his BC, it's really not much trouble to put it on.

Don't forget, the same rules that apply to regular cylinders apply to ponies: they need to be VIP'd yearly & hydro'd every 5 years.

DSDO,

~SubMariner~

 

[Ron Brandt]

Yep,deffinately agree with SubMariner and practice it!

Ron

 

[Dan MacKay]

Hi DiveMed,

I would approach this one cautiously. If you are looking for more air capacity I would say buy a larger tank, for example moving up from an 80cf to 100cf or a LP tank of higher volume such as a PST 95.

If you are looking for an independent air source then rather than look at a pony, I would prefer a 30cf (or larger) tank rigged as a stage bottle. They cost the same as a pony, you still need a first and second stage and they are carried much more comfortably clipped to the left side where they belong.

A conventional pony bottle, 16cf or 19cf, is somewhat ungainly and really unbalances an AL80 set up no matter what kind of BC system you are using.

If you really want to do the smart thing then don't bother with a pony at all. Stick to diving profiles that only require a single tank and save your pennies to buy a set of doubles with an isolated manifold system for when you progress to dives that require this type of redundancy.

 

[dc4bs]

Using a pony strapped to the side of an 80 makes for crooked swimming tracks...

I finaly just rigged it as a stage and carry it that way.

So far, I've never needed to switch to it and I 'plan' to never have to, but on deeper (70-130 fsw non-doubles) dives I carry it anyway cause there's always the possibility of equipment failure.

Also, if someone else has a problem, I can simply unclip it and then clip it to them for a less stressfull ascent...

 

[The Chairman]

is that most substitute the pony for good gas management and buddy skills.

The money spent for a pony would probably be better used for training or a real redundant air system... doubles with an isolation manifold.

I dove with a pony for a long time and it never had a visual or hydro... it had the original air that I put into it. I sold it last year and on the first dive he vented it. Somehow, I believe what he really needed (wanted) was a bigger tank. Of course, he was quite concerned that I had been getting it filled "illegally" since both the hydro and VIP were six years old. He just doesn't get it.

 

[Dee]

We have several sizes of ponies but the one I use the most is a 13cuft because my local dives are rarely below 25-30 ft. Deeper than that I use a 19 or 30cuft. I take it any time I am diving alone.

As for using it, I practice using it frequently. Beast and I also practice removing it and passing it to each other (he has the same Tiger Gear bracket).

Yes, in a perfect world we've planned our gas management and stick to it always but in local lakes with submerged trees and other hazards, doo-doo can occur. Not to mention 1st and/or 2nd stage failure. I'd rather be prepared for whatever occurs than just take another class. Doubles are not an option for me.

 

[ElectricZombie]

divemed06 once bubbled...
In a perfect world, would everyone have a pony bottle?

In a perfect world, pony bottles would not exist.

Any DM and Instructors out there that would recommend the use of a pony bottle as an independant air souce (I still dive very close to my buddy!!!)

I don't recommend it to students. In fact, I strongly discourage it.

Luckily, money in this case is not that big of an issue....so would you recommend that the "average diver" invests in an independant air source.

No, save your money.

Pony bottles are not needed. With proper gas planning/management and a good buddy (He is your backup), running out of gas is a non-issue. I agree with NetDoc that a lot of people buy a pony instead of practicing hard and diving correctly. Instead of solving the problem, people compound it by adding a piece of unnecessary gear that they are not even comfortable implimenting. If you insist on true redundancy, switch to doubles. Pony bottles are a solution to a problem that should not even exist.

 

[bwerb]

I dive with several different pony (or horse in this case ) bottles.

Sometimes it's an AL80, sometimes it's twin steel 72's, sometimes it's two 104's...they are easy to access and have all the gas I need...they don't even get in my way when I dive...when I/if I need to use them I simply signal my buddy and his/her reg is immediately available for my use.

Easy.