All About Pony Bottles

[Coldwater_Canuck]

I understand that your real question is 'why not just leave the pony on?'

I don't have a good answer for that, other than it isn't what I was taught - maybe someone else can answer

As far as having your pony on = you know it's working; I'd still disagree, and say the reg your buddy is breathing is the best option. You know it's working for a fact, they're breathing from it

Well if I've turned it on and maybe taken a test breath from it: I'm pretty confident it's working. On the other side, it's possible there's a second stage issue (octo) on your buddies system: not likely, but neither is a pony that worked when you got in randomly breaking.

 

[DaleC]

I think T68 is making a valid point worth considering. A pony can add an extra layer of security or it can re enforce poor buddy habits. It's important to be aware of the potentials for both.
I started using a pony when I began soloing and now also include it on deeper buddy dives as well. Having it along though doesn't "allow" me to relax the buddy system. When I solo , I solo and when I buddy, I buddy. The ponies just there, just in case.

T. I wonder if the pony use thing is somewhat geographical in nature. Not a lot, but a signifigant number, of divers up here use them. We often have poor vis. conditions and losing a buddy is, unfortunately, a fact of life.

 

[Tortuga68]

Well if I've turned it on and maybe taken a test breath from it: I'm pretty confident it's working. On the other side, it's possible there's a second stage issue (octo) on your buddies system: not likely, but neither is a pony that worked when you got in randomly breaking.

You misunderstood what I'm saying - you take the reg your buddy is breathing from, ie their primary, not their octo. The primary is the one you both know is working

I dive a hog rig, so donating your primary is standard practice. However, even if your buddy is diving a standard rig, they can still donate the primary, so long as they're comfortable with it/know that's what you're going to do. Usually the person who is not OOA is the better one to go looking for an octo

Anyway, in my experience, in a 'genuine' OOA situation, people go for the primary regardless

T. I wonder if the pony use thing is somewhat geographical in nature. Not a lot, but a signifigant number, of divers up here use them. We often have poor vis. conditions and losing a buddy is, unfortunately, a fact of life.

It's possible - most of my diving is done in Asia. I personally only use a pony when doing deco diving (with a deco mix) or training. But if it's a deco dive then I'm using twins anyway, so I don't (shouldn't) need the pony for backup

But I myself can't recall seeing anyone using a pony for general rec. diving - not to say they don't, just that I haven't seen it myself


Maybe the OP should consider switching to doubles rather than getting a pony?