Do you actually see people diving with pony bottles?

[mi000ke]

This makes no sense? Why not just clip the pony's reg to itself??? That way, if you pass it off, the reg goes right along with it with no hassle. Whereas I've never had to use a pony, I've had people on the dive need the air twice.

To be honest, I was just (perhaps selfishly) thinking of making it easiest for myself, and planning to use the pony only for my own bailout if needed (hopefully never). (And as an aside, I had one DM say to me somewhat in jest, "Pony stands for Piss Off, Not Yours!"). 95% of my dives are essentially non-buddy group-guided dives, and I am almost always essentially diving solo. The DM or the occasional buddy would probably be the first source of spare air for the others. So, I wasn't planning to hand it off. But if I did need to assist someone who was OOA, I assumed I would just donate my main primary and use my second. Donating a primary reg seems more straightforward than passing a pony to the casual rec diver, and I assume more in line with their expectations. But you make a great point, especially if I were doing a buddy dive, and I'll be keeping the reg on the bottle going forward just in case.

 

[The Chairman]

But you make a great point, especially if I were doing a buddy dive, and I'll be keeping the reg on the bottle going forward just in case.

Good to hear... but think about it some more... if the reg stays on the tank, then the chances of getting it mixed up with your other regs are pretty much nil, nada and squat: in precisely that order. I don't ever want to breathe a tank that I can't verify the contents. Keeping the reg on the bottle makes that a snap, even when I'm immersed in caca. When I grab the tank, I've also grabbed the right reg. Easy. Simple. Safe. Unambiguous.

 

[Coztick]

A question.
If, for example, while on a guided dive, the dive plan is to begin your accent with your buddy when one of you hits 1000psi.
Can I consider the contents of my 13cuft pony to be half of this accent pressure (assuming 80cuft main) and available for my buddy in emergency and therefor start my accent at 500 psi.?
Solo would work the same, 500psi in your main and a redundant supply of equal quantity in a pony?
Would this be acceptable gas planning?
I'm thinking it would depend on the when and where as to how conservative is prudent.
I'm specifically talking about Cozumel.
I'm thinking that if I don't suck a tank dry, and have to switch to the pony before re-boarding the boat, then I've returned with more than they requested.
OK, fire at will....

 

[Marie13]

A question.
If, for example, while on a guided dive, the dive plan is to begin your accent with your buddy when one of you hits 1000psi.
Can I consider the contents of my 13cuft pony to be half of this accent pressure (assuming 80cuft main) and available for my buddy in emergency and therefor start my accent at 500 psi.?
Solo would work the same, 500psi in your main and a redundant supply of equal quantity in a pony?
Would this be acceptable gas planning?
I'm thinking it would depend on the when and where as to how conservative is prudent.
I'm specifically talking about Cozumel.
I'm thinking that if I don't suck a tank dry, and have to switch to the pony before re-boarding the boat, then I've returned with more than they requested.
OK, fire at will....

My pony is redundancy for emergency purposes, not to extend the dive. I don't dip into it.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

A full 13 cu ft pony holds the same amount as 488 psi in an aluminum 80. In Cozumel you would be expected back on the boat before then. If your spg read zero and your pony was still nearly full you would be done for the day.

 

[Coztick]

I did say assuming I didn't empty a tank.

 

[Coztick]

I've never needed 500psi for an accent.
But I only have 80 dives there.

 

[Coztick]

A full 13 cu ft pony holds the same amount as 488 psi in an aluminum 80. In Cozumel you would be expected back on the boat before then. If your spg read zero and your pony was still nearly full you would be done for the day.

Thankyou,
OK, let's say 450 in the pony, another -50 for gauge inaccuracy.
Say start the accent at 600psi and on the boat with 250-300psi?

 

[Coztick]

Sorry if anyone thinks I'm splitting hairs.
I want plan responsibly, but I think MaxBottomtime summed it up when he picked his screen name!

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I believe the DM would want you back onboard with at least 500 psi. He won't be looking at your pony gauge. The pony should only be used as an emergency. If you choose to use it during the dive that's your prerogative, but then you have no emergency bailout later. That's the whole point of carrying a pony. Why not just be happy with the time you got out of your back gas? If you want longer dives, use a bigger tank, doubles, side mount or a rebreather.