Why we dive with a Pony

[Dr Wu]

If it gives you a sense of security then why not.

Because it gives you a "sense" of security.

It does not make you secure.

That's why not.

 

[drdaddy]

I think that if a pony bottle is giving you a warm, secure feeling while diving that you aren't rationally looking at the risks involved. Sure an OOA emergency is something to be concerned about and avoided, but when you consider all the hazards involved in diving, (entanglement, DCI, narcosis, hypothermia, ear problems, current, hostile wildlife, etc...), it's just one of many problems you might encounter.

When I'm considering whether to pack a pony or not I usually ask myself, "can I do a CESA from our planned depth?" and "do I trust the gear I'm using?" If the answer to both questions is yes and I'm with a buddy, then I don't see any reason to bring a pony bottle along. If I've got good gear, a good buddy and the surface within swimming distance, then I don't see that a pony bottle makes me much safer.

On the other hand, if we're going down to 100'+, then I don't have any faith in my ability to do a CESA, we might possibly end up with a deco obligation, and more air is just plain better at those depths, so I pack a pony.

Elmer-
I love diving the Sound! But alas, I live in Oregon, 1 hour from our coast. I dive every week (or at least every-other) year round. One reason that I always dive a pony is that I want my setup to be the same - whether 30ft or 130ft - it's about standardization and familiarity with my equipment - which is great to have if one of those things you mentioned comes up. I practice different skills, not out of fear, but because I enjoy being underwater and it's entertaining to myself to mess with the stuff. I even shoot a sausage every once in a while (Coast Guard takes issue with this - sent a boat out to check on me once ).

Like I said, never needed a pony, but I've never needed a buddy either - but prefer one (most of the time).

By the way - that skipper that allowed me to continue diving, (when my insta-buddy flaked out) because I was equipped for solo, was on the Sound. I guess I did "need" a pony then.

 

[DayBob]

I dive with my wife who is never more than two feet away. We dive in quarries with no current or boats. We both have AI computers and compare readings often. Nothing will stop me from going to the surface.

My thinking is, for the type of diving I do, an extra tank serves little purpose. Others who dive in different conditions may make a different decision.

 

[endurodog]

If the OP was trying to compensate for bad training or skills then yes it's a problem but he didn't say that. All of my redundent gear gives me a sense of security, and that is what he was saying in my opinion. Bashing the training or skill level without knowing is something else for the guys that are doing it. It sounds like in his region that the pony bottle is a commonly used item, maybe the whole region is full of poorly trained and compensating divers (sarcasm). Maybe before bashing the guy a few questions could be asked of him to see if he was using the pony for the right or wrong reasons. Or you could just be quick and say how wrong it is. Your guys choice.

 

[Dr Wu]

All of my redundent gear gives me a sense of security....

Again with this "sense" of security.

Instead of actually being secure.

 

[DayBob]

I'm not judging, bashing or saying the OP is wrong. Everyone has to do a risk analysis and make their own decisions. I think I'm safe on one bottle given the conditions I dive. Others may decide differently.

 

[elmer fudd]

Elmer-
I love diving the Sound! But alas, I live in Oregon, 1 hour from our coast. I dive every week (or at least every-other) year round. One reason that I always dive a pony is that I want my setup to be the same - whether 30ft or 130ft - it's about standardization and familiarity with my equipment - which is great to have if one of those things you mentioned comes up. I practice different skills, not out of fear, but because I enjoy being underwater and it's entertaining to myself to mess with the stuff. I even shoot a sausage every once in a while (Coast Guard takes issue with this - sent a boat out to check on me once ).

Like I said, never needed a pony, but I've never needed a buddy either - but prefer one (most of the time).

By the way - that skipper that allowed me to continue diving, (when my insta-buddy flaked out) because I was equipped for solo, was on the Sound. I guess I did "need" a pony then.

Familiarity is a great reason for a pony. Personally, I'm kind of addicted to changing and reconfiguring my gear from dive to dive. I like collecting and monkeying around with the gear almost as much as I like diving it.

My usual dive buddy dives like you do, with virtually the same gear in the same configuration on every dive. He's not taking that pony with him because he thinks he might need it at 30', he just always dives with a pony.

I think both philosophies have their strengths and weaknesses. When you constantly change around your gear you get good at adapting to things. You also experience a lot of different configurations and learn what really works for you. On the other hand, I have far more gear related issues than he does just because he's using tested and familiar gear and I'm often not.

 

[scubadobadoo]

Nothing wrong with a little redundancy in situations where it is warranted. Diving in Wreck Valley warrants it for sure. It may be the least recreational recreational diving in the US. I lived in NYC for 12 years and diving off a boat in NJ or the NE is no day at Dutch Springs or Key Largo for sure at times.

Sure, a diver shouldn't improperly rely on a pony bottle for security BUT I don't think the OP was implying that one should. I think the OP meant that his gear (in this case) his pony bottle, makes him feel more comfortable in the water. I can understand this. IMHO safety while diving is ALL ABOUT feeling comfortable. If you don't feel comfortable while diving then you have given the avalanche of panic a foot hold. I like my dry suit, my regs, my BP/W, and my fins and I don't feel AS comfortable when I am not using them as I do when I am. We can all understand this. The OP feels this way about HIS gear too and that is how he learned and how he was taught.

Come dive in Wreck Valley if you have a chance. Some of you have been in like conditions, some of you haven't. If you haven't, my bet is you would feel more comfortable with a pony bottle assuming you had a chance to train with it.

So dive with your favorite stuffed animal if it makes you feel better. I don't care, as long as it helps to bring you back to the boat safely.

As for diving in Bonaire with one, well that's kinda silly IMHO.

 

[endurodog]

Again with this "sense" of security.

Instead of actually being secure.

Do you feel you are secure with your redundent equipment? Seems to me that someone that is "secure" in there equipement is putting way to much faith in it. Your equipment and training needs to be looked at as if it could fail and then you work around it. Those things that give me a sense of security don't really give me security. I will continue to train and enhance my sense of security and the day I feel "secure" is the day that I better stop doing anything dangerous because I have become cocky and am disreguarding the dangers. Always plan for failure of equipment, plans, and people, never feel that you are "secure" because you never are in anything! Everything can fail, and will.

 

[scubadobadoo]

Again with this "sense" of security.

Instead of actually being secure.

I feel ya, we all do, but isn't this just a game of internet semantics at this point?