What is different between a pony and spareair?

[DougK]

Folks, I liked the discussion, both the current and link referenced to a previous thread, about the pros and cons of Spareair. I have seen the ads and thought this sounds like a great idea. Only after reading this info do I sense that you might like the Spareair bottle if it were bigger?

One question since I am new, Spareair and a Pony Bottle sound somewhat similar. Would someone explain what is different between the two.

 

[Paul Evans]

You have answered you're own question..............

Size

If you've read the threads you sould realise this :06:

Better gas mangement does'nt have to be serviced every year

Seach on Spareair or Pony bottle

 

[Gary D.]

Folks, I liked the discussion, both the current and link referenced to a previous thread, about the pros and cons of Spareair. I have seen the ads and thought this sounds like a great idea. Only after reading this info do I sense that you might like the Spareair bottle if it were bigger?

One question since I am new, Spareair and a Pony Bottle sound somewhat similar. Would someone explain what is different between the two.

Living or not if that what you are going to rely on.

Spare Air might be good for powering toy boats in a pond.

Gary D.

 

[Paul Evans]

Spare Air might be good for powering toy boats in a pond.

Gary D.

LOL

Fast boat.........................................

Alive diver

 

[Gary D.]

LOL

Fast boat.........................................

Alive diver

Fast but only a dragster. 3000 to zero in 3+ seconds.

Gary D.

 

[Paul Evans]

Fast but only a dragster. 3000 to zero in 3+ seconds.

Gary D.

Very Very Good

 

[LUBOLD8431]

One question since I am new, Spareair and a Pony Bottle sound somewhat similar. Would someone explain what is different between the two.

They are very similar, they are both useless and a waste of money if you have a good buddy...

However, if you dont have a good buddy, then get a 19 cu ft pony bottle, and a good quality, dependable first and second stage for it. Dont think about the Spare Air anymore. They are just made for us to make fun of and laugh at the people that are actually using them...

Also, do a search, there are ALOT of threads on the virtues of spare airs and pony bottles...

 

[AtomicWalrus]

Folks, I liked the discussion, both the current and link referenced to a previous thread, about the pros and cons of Spareair. I have seen the ads and thought this sounds like a great idea. Only after reading this info do I sense that you might like the Spareair bottle if it were bigger?

One question since I am new, Spareair and a Pony Bottle sound somewhat similar. Would someone explain what is different between the two.

Both of them are redundant air supplies, but Spareair is essentially useless because of its limited capacity. In the case of a true emergency, 3 cf isn't much to work with. Far better to have a good buddy with you. A pony is a much better alternate air source because of its larger capacity - you can deal with your emergency, ascend slowly & safely, and still get in your safety stop with air to spare.

 

[cth6]

My buddy and I share a 30 cf pony. He always carries it on the side of his main tank. We have never needed it, but I feel much better that it is there. Expecially after the 4th dive of the day when an emergency swim ascent would more than likely send me on a chamber trip.

In the Army we used oversized spare air devices for recovering zodiacs cached for operations. I am not sure of the actual size, I would guess 5-8cf, but we were lucky if we got 5-10 breaths out of them. I never had to use them in combat, but with training they were just enough to get the job done. I could only image in the heat of a mission or panicing you would be out of air in 3 or 4 breaths because of the stress.

But then again, any air is better than no air.

 

[DBailey]

Size is the only difference.

In an OOA (out of air) situation without an overhead obstruction, SpareAir will give you air that will hopefully allow you to make it to the surface (albiet in an ascent that is probably too fast). Not very useful in a cave, in a wreck, or really deep. The low volume at depth won't last very long. I think the makers of SpareAir's market is the recreational crowd where overhead environments are not a concern.

A pony bottle is substantially larger than the SpareAir container. The larger volume allows more time at depth and/or inside the cave or wreck if you need to use it. It would also allow for a more controlled, and slower ascent. It is an additional safety net for this type of diving.

Gas management, a good buddy, and you being a good buddy will negate the need for either of these in recreational diving. In tec diving, you'll want a pony bottle simply for the additional safety factor (as well as gas management, a good buddy, and you being a good buddy).