Is a pony safe to dive in the kelp forest

Narcd_dvr · Apr 21, 2005

Hi SoCal divers,
I was wondering if folks in this forum can share their opinions if its even safe to dive with a pony in the kelp forest.
My apologies for bringing up the pony subject as it is a touchy topic

Many thanks,
Subzero..

dazedone · Apr 21, 2005

When I dive with my pony (which is rare), I sling it under my arm. Most folks around here mount it on their main tank.I have never seen anyone get into trouble with it. As long as you are comfortable with de-tangling yourself, I would say it is safe.

bedmund · Apr 21, 2005

Most people may mount their ponies on their back tanks, but not me. I also sling it under my left arm and have a lot of dives in kelp. If you use the same care to not get tangled as you usually would, I don't think you'd have a problem.

dannobee · Apr 21, 2005

I too, sling one on my left side-DIR style rigged (although I'm far from DIR). If it hangs up on something it's easier to untangle. The only time I've had any real trouble with kelp was with a scooter, and thought I'd plow right through it. I did, eventually :eyebrow:

Even then it's no big deal to get untangled.

drbill · Apr 21, 2005

I've done many hundreds of dives in the kelp forests here with my pony bottle. Mine is a 13 cu ft bottle attached upside down to my primary tank. That positioning not only allows easier access to the valve, but also seems to result in a lower probability of getting hung up on kelp as I weave through it.

Dr. Bill

divinman · Apr 21, 2005

I concur with the others. Have made kelp dives with ponies 13, 19, 30 and 40cuft. I sling mine and have never had a problem.

JDog · Apr 22, 2005

subzero:
Hi SoCal divers,
I was wondering if folks in this forum can share their opinions if its even safe to dive with a pony in the kelp forest.
My apologies for bringing up the pony subject as it is a touchy topic

Many thanks,
Subzero..

They generally have more problems than what it is worth.
My biggest complaint is they are really big air hogs, and the fact that they can't swim well in the kelp. I never bring my pony diving.

Narcd_dvr · Apr 22, 2005

Thanks everyone for your input, certainly appreciate it. Currently, I have my 19cuft mounted upside down on my main tank and I've been thinking for some time of mounting it left side DIR-style.

Is a pony safe to dive in the kelp forest

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