Ross19966
Contributor
I'm considering setting one up. The only time I used one was when we were using surface supplied air, and thankfully never needed it. So here's my though process.
Worse case is I suck a tank dry. Not sure how someone could get to that point without realizing they are low in air, but it's worse case. If that happened, the octo on my main tank is not going do anyone any good. Me or a buddy. No air to breathe, inflate the wing or the drysuit. That's what's called a bad day.
More likely case is that I find myself low on air. At this point there is still enough to inflate the wing and drysuit but maybe not enough to get to the surface safely.
So considering the more likely scenario, I'm thinking a back mounted 19cu pony with it's own 1st and 2nd stage. Maintain the octo I currently have because I wont always need a pony bottle. That will give the breathing air I need while using what's left in the main tank for wing and drysuit inflation. The assumption is that if I ever needed to use alternate air, the dive is over. Maybe hang the pony 2nd stage on a necklace.
Does this idea hold water? I would also likely be in a FFM if that matters. I don't really dive solo anymore, but even on group dives there are many instances where I might venture away from the group. Far enough away that should something go wrong, I may not make it to a buddy's octo.
Worse case is I suck a tank dry. Not sure how someone could get to that point without realizing they are low in air, but it's worse case. If that happened, the octo on my main tank is not going do anyone any good. Me or a buddy. No air to breathe, inflate the wing or the drysuit. That's what's called a bad day.
More likely case is that I find myself low on air. At this point there is still enough to inflate the wing and drysuit but maybe not enough to get to the surface safely.
So considering the more likely scenario, I'm thinking a back mounted 19cu pony with it's own 1st and 2nd stage. Maintain the octo I currently have because I wont always need a pony bottle. That will give the breathing air I need while using what's left in the main tank for wing and drysuit inflation. The assumption is that if I ever needed to use alternate air, the dive is over. Maybe hang the pony 2nd stage on a necklace.
Does this idea hold water? I would also likely be in a FFM if that matters. I don't really dive solo anymore, but even on group dives there are many instances where I might venture away from the group. Far enough away that should something go wrong, I may not make it to a buddy's octo.