Securing your pony reg

[NJDiveGirl]

Or octopus for that matter... I have one of those "bubbles" that you shove the mouthpiece into - then while you are on the anchorline you are shoving it back in... Pain in the butt...

I've seen various setups and looking for other opinions.

Thanks.

[Spectre]

NJDiveGirl once bubbled...
Or octopus for that matter... I have one of those "bubbles" that you shove the mouthpiece into - then while you are on the anchorline you are shoving it back in... Pain in the butt...


My first question is why are you putting it away on the anchor line? What was it out for?

[Sprinter]

I think he meant by the time he's back at the anchor line, its popped out of the holder.

[Sprinter]

Simpler way would be to rig up an octopus necklace. There's a thread in the DIY section, complete with diagrams and pictures. Cost no more than a few cents and minutes :)

[NJDiveGirl]

yes you are correct - usually when I backroll in - it pops right out.

btw - njdive GIRL - I'm a chick! (you said he.....)

[Sprinter]

mea culpa! My bad. For this offense, let me get you the link....;)

[Sprinter]

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34359&highlight=necklace

Here you go NJDiveGirl. The second entry has the best resource with pictures and instruction on the knot needed.

[NJDiveGirl]

;)

[Doc Intrepid]

as already stated, one of the best ways to secure an octopus second stage is using a necklace. There are numerous instructions on this board, just use the search function.

If you choose to carry a pony, you should consider carrying it slung like a stage/deco bottle. You can do this whether you use a BC or bp/wings. This allows you to get at it, open/close the valve, or hand it off should it become necessary.

Here is a site that explains how to do it with your pony:
http://www.diverite.com/resource/stage/index.htm

(BTW, you needn't buy their 'kit'! These are easy to make in about 15 minutes with items from your local Lowes or Home Depot. Costs about $16 with the boltsnaps. :) )

As you'll see, when not in use the second stage is affixed to the slung bottle using bungee or tubing. If you need it, pull it out, restow it afterwards. Don't ever leave it hanging free.

Regards,

Doc

[NJDiveGirl]

I've seen alot of people do that - It would cut down on aggravation of switching over tanks and having the pony not co-operate. That sounds like a most excellent idea Doc! Thanks for the link!

[oatmeal769]

I sling mine just like any other stage from my harness, and thus the reg is secured in the rubbers around the cylinder.

If I'm buddy diving with an octo though, I use a rubber snorkel keeper. I loop one end to the ring on my shoulder strap, and the other end holds the octo quite nicely around the mouthpiece.
It stays put much better for me, and if I need it , it comes right out. Plus, if it fouls, I can break it without too much damage to my wallet, and there seems to always be one laying around somewhere to replace it with.

I use a long hose and necklace when tekkie diving, and I really like that setup too, but for me it's overkill when just plopping in with a pal to look at the pretty fishies.

[DA Aquamaster]

You can also use a appropriately sized O-ring around the mouthpiece and attached to a bolt snap (with the O-ring either looped through the bolt snap or attached to the bolt snap with a small zip tie.) You can clip and unclip the second stage from the pony from a D-ring in normal use or it can just be pulled free when someone needs it in a hurry.

It combines ease and speed of access with ease of assembly and allows a more normal recreational octpus like configuration than using a necklace or rigging your pony as a stage bottle.

[oatmeal769]

DA, that's a good idea! I use bolt snaps for everything else, why didn't I think of that...
It'll be easier to just clip it on and off, rather than pulling the mouthpiece through the ring all the time...