Goodbye ponies

[BDSC]

You are indeed lucky to have that experience.
On the other hand (aside from insta buddy problem) what happens when you take a newer diver out for his/her first few dives to introduce them to the pleasure of diving and to share your knowledge? Do you believe beginner divers are reliable enough too? I did a dive with a new diver recently that forgot what the ascend signal was for. I had to repeat it three times to make him realize I meant for "him" to ascend. He just thought I was telling him that I was going to ascend. He was a nice guy and I enjoyed the dive but he was definitely NOT my redundant air source. I wonder how instructors with new students feel about this type of situation?



By that line of reasoning you should also not dive with a secondary regulator. After all, the primary probably won't fail and your buddy has your back up if it does. Your B/U reg is really redundant redundancy (coupled with your buddies redundant redundancy) so why do we all (except those vintage divers) have them?

Having said that, I can't argue against your, or the OP's, choice. To each his/her own I say.

I've probably been lucky that I've never had to have an insta-buddy and I can see how someone may not feel totally comfortable with that situation. I do believe that in most cases a new diver would be reliable to share air with. It's very likely they have practiced the skill a lot more recently than myself.

As far as a backup reg goes, my line of reasoning is this. I believe in taking reasonable precautions when diving. I think it to be reasonable to have a back-up reg in case of the rare circumstance I or my buddy may need it. Especially if a buddy needs it. I just think the whole pony idea is overkill in the type of diving I do which is the typical clear warm water environment. I feel totally confident in my ability to handle whatever situation may arise in that type of diving without a pony. And it appears the vast majority of the divers agree because only once have a ever seen someone dive with a pony and after the second day he ditched it. To this day it sits in his closet.

 

[dutybooty]

I think the way to see it is. "If this happens can I get myself out of it?"

Then when the proverbial hits the fan, your buddys there to back you up. Its redundancy in the redundancy system.

Anyroad, I'm off. I'm on duty.

Dutybooty

 

[BDSC]

Different way of thinking. Although i dont mind diving with a buddy i find diving much more relaxed knowing i can get myself out of a situation without having to blindly rely on someone.



By adding an extra option you half the odds. How far you want to go is up to you. I'd rather not have to rely on one fallback that MIGHT be available when needed (ie a buddy) and instead rely on 2 fallbacks (redundant gas source and a buddy). That means 2 things have to go wrong for me to be in trouble.

HSE here feel the same way. Legally anyone teaching or diving for any commercial gain at all has to wear 1 x redundant gas source. Not 2 or 3, 1. The buddy does not legally count as redundancy.

Yes though its all down to personal preference and how much personal risk someone is willing to take - only the individual can make that call. I enjoy dives more and am far more relaxed without having to rely on anyone else underwater for my safety. Other people are quite happy to rely on a buddy and hope for the best when bad things happen. *USUALLY* thats enough.

Points well made! I'll keep on diving and hope the *USUALLY* will always work in my favor.