Would You Use A Ponypak

[flyin01]

Sport Shallow

It looks like the Ponypak is getting close to production. Would you use the Ponypak or a standard pony bottle?

 

[redacted]

An absurd design. Nothing but disadvantages compared to a slung pony.

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

Pony bottle slung.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Stupid design. Lots of things to get tangled, hung up, and multiple failure points. I'll keep my slung 30 or 40 thank you. Or my top mounted 30 or 40 when diving sidemount.

 

[flyin01]

Jim, what are the failure points?

 

[Doc]

Billy? Izzatyou?

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Does it take out your teeth if you jump off the bow?

Does it have 4 clips to secure it over your chest? Does it not impede the removal and replacement of the scuba unit when worn on the chest?

Has anyone ever, taken off their pony bottle and clipped it off to the victim and left them to ascend on their own?

In an emergency, what benefit is derived from removing 3 or 4 clips to deploy the bottle, then attaching 3 or 4 clips to the victim (to allow them to ascend)?

the forward clip strap looks too long to allow the pony to ride well when clipped off under the arm. Is there any video of what this looks like when diving and swimming? Of doing all the unclipping and clipping in a simulated emergency?

why does the BC not have an inflator hose on it? Does the inflator get tangled in the cross chest bottle?

 

[ams511]

The question I have is what problem this harness is trying to solve? I don't see it as an improvement over a slung pony.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

What the is that thing?

And I don't just mean that as a dismissive, what a dumb idea (though I mean that, too): I mean literally, the photos don't make it clear what's part of the "ponypak" and what's part of the BC harness.

Also, didn't Zeagle already do this with their AL20+RaZor valve/1st stage combo+slung bag?

 

[rhuntley]

PonyPak is the first, simple, elegant, logical solution to the need of every diver - to have a fully independant air supply that not only will get you to the surface with a full safety stop - it also is instantly deployable to a second, "out-of-air" diver for a completely separated, independant and safe ascent for both divers.

My AL40 stage/deco bottle can do all those things, and unlike the PonyPak, won't get me laughed off the dive boat.