Pony Tanks with instabuddy...Prudent or Paranoid?

[Fastmarc]

They'll fill it, but first, some will want to charge you for a VIS inspection, because the tank was completely empty and "they don't know what moist air it might have had inside." If you put 200 psi in from a bigger tank, that usually obviates that nonsense.

Oh, I see, but where would you get access to another tank before going to them?

 

[rsingler]

Oh, I see, but where would you get access to another tank before going to them?

Often, you can grab a diver coming off a dive with almost-empties and "borrow" a couple hundred psi with your tool before you walk into the shop to buy a pony fill. Just one of those tasks to take care of after you land and scope out the dive areas for the next day.

 

[Bowers]

The local shops will refuse to fill an empty pony bottle? Why?

many shops will require a new visual inspection if the bottle goes empty for any reason.

 

[Fastmarc]

Often, you can grab a diver coming off a dive with almost-empties and "borrow" a couple hundred psi with your tool before you walk into the shop to buy a pony fill. Just one of those tasks to take care of after you land and scope out the dive areas for the next day.

Aah. I'll keep that in mind.

 

[Landlocked123]

why would you ever dive without one? I dont get in the water without one. Never have. It's there if you need it. Insta buddy will probably not be.

 

[60plus]

The dive center I am doing my next training with insist on a pony for all dives deeper than 18m. Having seen what goes on on a number of dives I will be more than happy to have a pony, I would probably be a bit on edge without one. Itseasy enough to do the OOA procedure when you expect it, but if you draw on your reg and nothing or water comes in getting to a buddy a few yards away could be a problem.

 

[Rollin Bonz]

I started diving with a 40 cf pony over a year ago in prep for self reliant class. Every dive since I've carried it (or a cylinder mounted 19cf on occasion) when back mounted. I got self reliant certified and I've started diving side mount now. Most of my dives are 60ft or deeper quarry dives. I think I would feel naked now without a redundant air source.

 

[Kharon]

many shops will require a new visual inspection if the bottle goes empty for any reason.

Never had that happen on Bonaire, Dominica, Bahamas, Florida, Roatan, or Grand Cayman. No one looked at the vis sticker or hydro stamp or SPG. They just took it and filled it. Is this "requiring a vis inspection" an old wives tale or something anyone has actually experienced?

 

[Rollin Bonz]

Never had that happen on Bonaire, Dominica, Bahamas, Florida, Roatan, or Grand Cayman. No one looked at the vis sticker or hydro stamp or SPG. They just took it and filled it. Is this "requiring a vis inspection" an old wives tale or something anyone has actually experienced?

Had it happen at a quarry in Alabama. Tank still hissed if you cracked the valve, but didn't show a reading on the shop's gauge. They required a visual before they'd fill the tank. That was the last time I visited said quarry. It happens in smaller operations occasionally I have no doubt. Can't speak for specific destination diving.

 

[Kharon]

Had it happen at a quarry in Alabama. Tank still hissed if you cracked the valve, but didn't show a reading on the shop's gauge. They required a visual before they'd fill the tank. That was the last time I visited said quarry. It happens in smaller operations occasionally I have no doubt. Can't speak for specific destination diving.

Yeah. I'm sure my LDS would want to vis the tank if it was empty. I just have never seen it happen on a trip.

As far as my LDS and even trips now, I've got adapters for my H2Odyssey Valve/1st stage - both station fill and yoke. I fill my pony myself off of a rental tank with the yoke adapter. No fuss, no muss. Why? - the last time I had it filled through the station adapter on a trip they did it so fast/hard that the SPG plastic lens cover blew off. Talk about hot fills. I can fill it really slow. I'm retired and on vacation.