Pony Bottle / Spare Air

[Atomic_Diver]

Ummm choclate chip cookies anyone :lol:

 

[Katamuki]

The other problem I see with a Spare Air System is that when you run out of air, panic sets in. Believe me, it happens to the most experienced divers. Chances are you can drop the Spare Air. Now, instead of going to the surface, you could dive for the unit, taking you away from the one place you need to be........on the surface.

I just upgraded my pony bottle from a 17 Cu. Ft. to a 30. I am mounting it on a sling, and I definately will dive with the valve on, not closed. Once again, panic will hinder you from turning that valve on. Don't let anything get in your way to save yourself. It's imperative to be self reliant with your redundant systems. Have your back up regulator loosely hung around your neck for instant reach.

I suggest you get some proper training in how to dive with a stage, why the valve is kept closed, how to do a bottle switch properly if you think panic happens to everyone. You might also want to do some more diving within some limits to get more experience.

Claiming panic as the reason for dropping a reg or forgetting to turn a valve on or doing a gas check on a stage scares the hell out of me. If you breath down backgas or lose your 1st/2nd and cannot think enough to switch out to a stage you shouldnt be diving.

 

[Atomic_Diver]

A Rescue Diver/Self Rescue/Solo diver course can go a long way...

 

[Deep-6]

An interesting first post indeed. I myself, started with "hello."

 

[SkimFisher]

As a new diver (18 dives), I bought a SA because I think that taking a breath or two during an emergency ascent beats blowing bubbles, humming, singing , or cursing on the way up. I plan to practice using it and working through emergency scenarios, but I hope (and especially plan) on never needing it.

I have enjoyed this thread, especially the folks who suggest dual tanks as a solution to OOA emergencies, but I do have a question: Why has no one suggested a submarine as the logical next step in the single tank/ tank plus SA/ tank plus pony/ dual tank progression? Of course, then we can discuss emergency escape procedures for when the hypothetical sub is torpedoed or attacked by Orcas....

 

[halocline]

As a new diver (18 dives), I bought a SA because I think that taking a breath or two during an emergency ascent beats blowing bubbles, humming, singing , or cursing on the way up. I plan to practice using it and working through emergency scenarios, but I hope (and especially plan) on never needing it.

Well, actually, you bought a spare air because, like most new divers, you didn't know any better, and somebody was 'kind' enough to convince you that it would make diving safer for you. It will not.

BTW, welcome to scubaboard! We've all made purchases that turned out to not be the best, in fact there's a long thread about that floating around somewhere.

 

[Jonnyspecial]

Re: travelling with an unpressurized tank - whether a Spare Air or a Pony:

It is my understanding - from the TSA's homepage - that all tanks must have the valve off the tank, so that the security officer can visually inspect the interior of the tank, and by default, know the tank is unpressurized. They don't take your word for it!

The Spare Air valve is a screw-on/screw-off configurement, so valve removal and examination is easy. My older brother just did it in order to post it to me here in Japan. No problems!

So, muddidiver, your point is moot, correct?

Anyone I know who has travelled with a SA has it in a large ziploc, with related parts, and a clear explanation of what it is and how it is currently disassembled to be unpressurized and inspection ready - with no problems.

I don't know of anyone who has travelled - especially internationally - with a valve-in tank, pony or not...

So, Chris12day, unless your pony has a s-on/s-off valve, I'd recommend you get clear advice from the airlines you will fly with, as well as the security organizations you will be dealing with at all airports you will use, including transfering/stop-overs. You wouldn't want that pony confiscated [or being hauled off the plane as a suspected bomber in this current paranoid climate!] If it does have the s-on/s-off valve, then you're golden!

 

[Jonnyspecial]

Oh, yes, I have a minor issue with a Divemaster telling me - an Instructor - my decision to use a Spare Air is akin to that of a new diver and I don't know any better.

If mattboy were to read my initial explanation as to why I bought one, it is reasonable.

Going above your rank, experience and knowledge base is not.

You've been learned, mattboy.

 

[halocline]

Oh, yes, I have a minor issue with a Divemaster telling me - an Instructor - my decision to use a Spare Air is akin to that of a new diver and I don't know any better.

If mattboy were to read my initial explanation as to why I bought one, it is reasonable.

Going above your rank, experience and knowledge base is not.

You've been learned, mattboy.

Gee, Jonny, I didn't realize we were in the military here, but if it will make you happy, I'm willing to salute your "rank" and your spare air with an appropriate gesture of respect:HHGTTG:

 

[Jonnyspecial]

LOL

Your choice of "gesture" reminds me of Ghostbusters.
My 6 yo son loves it!
...also suggestive of rank, experience and knowledge base...???:mooner:

For a musician, your a feisty little fellow, aincha?!
[I play piano, guitar, sanshin [Okinawan shamisen]...]

Cheers