ways to carry a pony bottle

[MauiScubaSteve]

but hey, who am I to argue with the internet experts. everyone has their own level of risk they're comfortable with. I'm done trying to teach this particular pig to sing.

Why can't you answer the question from my last post and explain what the difference would be between both our rigs scootering into an invisible monofilliment net?

Why can't you post your profile pic here for all the lazy lurkers to see, and then explain the physics of how, compared to my low profile 40 cft back mount rig, your slung 30 cft would be "just as streamlined, or more so?"

If you could answer those questions you actually might be teaching a pig to sing; the question is which pig? I think you won't answer because in the first scenario we would both be pretty well equally screwed and in the second the streamline of your rig is not equal or better.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Back to the OP.

I have spent considerable time thinking the same questions. I am just a normal, solo diver, not a diving god, so take it for what it is worth.

The sling method out front has some advantages and is functionally optimal. You can hand off (I tend to solo, so it is not critical). You can always see you tank, valve, gauge and have instant access. It is practical for the super sized ponies (AL30/40). It works well with a BP/W.

It has 2 disadvantages. The biggie is is a big, huge tank in my active storage area (my front). This is were my camera is, my lights, cutting tools, SPG, etc.. These are things I use often, the pony is not used often. My pony is only worthwhile if I use it, if it is a PITA, it will stay on the boat or in the car, just a worthless piece of gear. The other issue is it is one more piece of gear to clip on/off every time I dive.

The back mount has a single advantage in that it does not obstruct your front. It is a rather huge advantage for me.

It does have a couple of disadvantages you have to work through. It is possible for something to leak and not see it. Rare, but possible. I dive with the hoses charged, but valve off. This eliminates this possibility, but now I must open the valve to use the pony. This dictates the pony be mounted valve down for me (old, don't bend easy) and that I must drill with it to make sure I can open it quickly. The other disadvantage is you have to think about where to mount the 2nd so it is not confusing to other divers if you also have a safe second on you primary regulator. I clip mine with a bungee down near the valve on the pony.

As for the entanglement discussion, I would only add having 2 tanks / valve / regs will slightly increase your entanglement potential. No doubt about it. If this is an big issue, then all the divers in doubles are going to die!

 

[paddler3d]

clipped to your back plate

Can you describe this one more? Or do you have pictures?

Would you attach it like one would attach an argon bottle?

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

I am just a normal, solo diver, not a diving god, so take it for what it is worth.

The back mount has a single advantage in that it does not obstruct your front. It is a rather huge advantage for me.

As for the entanglement discussion, I would only add having 2 tanks / valve / regs will slightly increase your entanglement potential. No doubt about it. If this is an big issue, then all the divers in doubles are going to die!

Normal solo diver? I'm not sure why but that tittle makes me giggle.

The entry for this dive is 2-4' deep for 75 yards through 20 guys long board / paddle board surfing in 2-3' surf and I am holding fins, a camera and a scooter. I am headed 3/4 mile off shore in pretty severe long shore current so I am saving the scooter until after the surf.

Max depth 117', over 60 minute total dive time, exit in a boulder rubble field with same 1-3' surf, steep climb to road, and then walk wearing rig 1/4 mile down the highway shoulder back to the parking lot carrying the scooter on my shoulder(s). The pics of rig are taken after showering off and it is still secure.

Marinediva, Hercules and Maui are on my short list of possible buddies for this dive. I hope the two demi gods wouldn't hold it against me that I'm a graduate of a zero to hero school. :shocked2:

OK, now that I've made myself laugh at myself and cry and laugh at myself again (hopefully not for the last time this year) back to the topic as it has morphed; back mount vs slung.

My opinion is that there are more than one advantage of back mount; does not obstruct your front, it is way more streamlined and challenging shore entries with scooters, cameras and other gear in hands are much easier. Not that it matters because I do not recommend that anyone do dives like I do!

Is it plagiarism to use someone else's pic's from here on SB? Any way, thanks HowardE! It took me over an hour to find a half descent pic for this comparison (nothing personal HowardE). Amphibious really would have been helpful if he had posted his profile pic.

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Now consider for yourself the differences in coefficient of drag and the difference between these two divers scootering into an invisible monofilliment net?

​

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Glad I made you laugh!

 

[udtfire]

amph I see you believe in the rule you can lead a horse to water but you cant make him drink ...however you can drown it lol. your point is correct but your delivery could be a little softer just so the experience you have will be received on the other end and you will help a fellow diver. just a thought. have a safe day and hope to see you in the water

 

[RYCO]

why do most posts get off track and some one trys to convince others that the way they do it is best but in class we learn that we should do what feels right for us? all i was looking for was different ways to carry a pony. im intrested in getting one. the spare air i have now is good, mainly cause i havent done a solo yet and havent had a need for it yet, and it was given to me, so ill keep it on for now, and maybe for ever, id rather be a little inconvienced (sp) for diving than alot inconvienced by being out of air. i like the idea of having the pony on the back and i was looking for a way to do it. i like the idea of diving with it hooked to the back and only having to get my 2 stage. but that quick release thing sounds cool too. anyone have more info on that? grumpyoldguy i like how yours sounds too. can you post a picture of how you have yours, upside down, sounds like a winner to me. that might be the one im looking for and maybe a quick release just incase you need to pass it on.

 

[RAWalker]

Hi Ryan,
For my AL13, or AL19 bottles I use a Dive Rite Remora quick release that attaches to my primary tank with standard tank strap. I keep the pony to the right of the primary over my right shoulder with the reg over the shoulder and clipped off to the right shoulder D-ring so it's easy to find and within the alt air triangle. The tank valve is at the same hight as the primary tank and in that position it is easy enough for me to reach to turn it on/off.
Larger tanks I wear in a slung fashion from the right shoulder D-ring to the right waist D-ring.
Since you are a local that I'll be buddying up with sooner or later and a student of my friend John I'd be more than happy to show you the rigging if you would like to stop by and see how they set up. Who knows I may need to breath off it one day.

 

[shawrg]

My AL19 pony is mounted with a DiveRite Remora similar to the way RAWalker mounts his but with an spg and with the air on.

 

[RYCO]

Hi Ryan,
For my AL13, or AL19 bottles I use a Dive Rite Remora quick release that attaches to my primary tank with standard tank strap. I keep the pony to the right of the primary over my right shoulder with the reg over the shoulder and clipped off to the right shoulder D-ring so it's easy to find and within the alt air triangle. The tank valve is at the same hight as the primary tank and in that position it is easy enough for me to reach to turn it on/off.
Larger tanks I wear in a slung fashion from the right shoulder D-ring to the right waist D-ring.
Since you are a local that I'll be buddying up with sooner or later and a student of my friend John I'd be more than happy to show you the rigging if you would like to stop by and see how they set up. Who knows I may need to breath off it one day.

yeah id like to see that. email me your info and maybe i could swing by and take a look. thanks. ryan@rycoplumbing.com

EDIT: corrected my email address.