What pony size?

[mopardiver]

I’m basically saying that a 40 cubic foot bailout bottle is exactly half of the capacity of the aluminum 80 most recreational divers are wearing without any redundant air supply. To put this in perspective…what’s half of the run time of an air hog “insta-buddy” with an 80 on his back on any recreational dive you might be unfortunately paired up with?

 

[flots am]

To put this in perspective…what’s half of the run time of an air hog “insta-buddy” with an 80 on his back on any recreational dive you might be unfortunately paired up with?[/SIZE]

About 20-30 minutes.

flots.

 

[Max Speed]

I am still a bit confused.

If I understand correctly, I should be able to dive safely without a pony bottle if I have proper skills and equipment maintenance.

If, however, I did take an unnecessary pony bottle with me (maybe I found it in the sand) and then I used the unnecessary air contained in it to extend my run time....I would be putting myself in danger?

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I am still a bit confused.

If I understand correctly, I should be able to dive safely without a pony bottle if I have proper skills and equipment maintenance.

If, however, I did take an unnecessary pony bottle with me (maybe I found it in the sand) and then I used the unnecessary air contained in it to extend my run time....I would be putting myself in danger?

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

Nah, you see you found a "stage" bottle in the sand to increase your dive time. You lucky SOB, all I find is lead and golf balls.

 

[uncfnp]

I am still a bit confused.

If I understand correctly, I should be able to dive safely without a pony bottle if I have proper skills and equipment maintenance.

If, however, I did take an unnecessary pony bottle with me (maybe I found it in the sand) and then I used the unnecessary air contained in it to extend my run time....I would be putting myself in danger?

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

Its kinda like motorcycle helmets in Florida.

1) Its your choice whether or not to use one.
2) It can be inconvenient to wear.
3) You know you are safer if you have it but you hope to never need it.
4) You will probably be fine without it.
5) If there is an incident, you are happy it is there but you don't purposely risk an accident just cause you know its there...

 

[redacted]

I am still a bit confused.

If I understand correctly, I should be able to dive safely without a pony bottle if I have proper skills and equipment maintenance.

If, however, I did take an unnecessary pony bottle with me (maybe I found it in the sand) and then I used the unnecessary air contained in it to extend my run time....I would be putting myself in danger?

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

You are correct - you don't understand.

Anytime you dive, you should have a plan for a reliable redundant air source even with proper skills and equipment.

Part of those proper skills are dive planning. Did you plan to use that pony to extend your dive. If not, then you are not diving your plan. And, therein lies the danger. It may be a very slight danger. It may be only an indication of a lack of proper skills. (Or it may be a huge danger if that pony you found was an O2 bottle.)

If you need more gas for your planned dive, get more - either a bigger tank or doubles. The nice thing about doubles is they can also serve as your redundant gas supply. For that matter, some divers opt for an H valve as a means of redundancy. I never was comfortable with that idea.

 

[chrpai]

I don't think the "found it in the sand" comment was serious. It was meant to be a joke.

I personally have no problem planning my dive to use my pony to extend my runtime. For details on how I do this, see the Dark Magic Divers group.

 

[DaleC]

I do this as well.
I dive predominantly St72's and if I want to do a bigger single tank dive I sling my 40cuft with the intent of breathing part of it as travel gas and holding the rest in reserve. If I'm doing a smaller dive I take my 19. If it's less than 50' I don't usually bother (unless there is some mitigating reason). If it's a bigger dive I take doubles.
It's not rocket surgery. A competent diver should be able to transition between all configurations and the calculations they require.

 

[crosshairs]

Nah, you see you found a "stage" bottle in the sand to increase your dive time. You lucky SOB, all I find is lead and golf balls.

I'd be happy to find some lead...have you seen the prices lately?

 

[rhwestfall]

It's not rocket surgery.

or brain science.........