Hi Marie,
Thanks for clearing that up!
Maybe we CAN dive together sometime.
Regards
Bert
If you want to come dive the Great Lakes, let me know! I refuse to be on a plane long enough to get to Europe, let alone NZ...
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Hi Marie,
Thanks for clearing that up!
Maybe we CAN dive together sometime.
Regards
Bert
I do attach my 13 to my backmounted AL80. I bungee the pony 2nd stage around my neck. Interesting someone would die using the wrong 2nd stage. I guess the regular mouthpiece was not findable-- But, who knows. I do find attaching it to the tank a hassle, especially when switching out tanks. But years ago I slung (slinged?) a 30 and found it awkward, which many will disagree with. I rarely use the pony anyway--only on deep dives with a possible suspect instabuddy.I got a pony last summer and went with an AL13. Works fine, plenty of gas to get to the surface for an NDL single tank dive where I would carry it.
In a recent thread about pony mounting, someone clued me in that back mounted pony bottles have directly resulted in several deaths. I believe because of divers using the wrong regulator and running OOA but I'm not sure. Search for the other thread if your'e curious. The post listed several fatalities that were a direct result of the back-mounted pony. Sling them only.
I went smaller because I decided it would be less of a hassle to travel with and to use. That makes me more likely to actually carry and use the pony. It doesn't do any good if it's at home or in the car when I dive. Also, I made a transfill whip. I haven't had to use it (other than testing) but with such a small tank it shouldn't be a big deal to transfill if I'm traveling and the op doesn't want to fill my pony.
I don't bother with it on a deco dive because I'll already be on doubles, maybe also with an al40 deco bottle. I only use it for single tank NDL diving.
I do attach my 13 to my backmounted AL80. I bungee the pony 2nd stage around my neck. Interesting someone would die using the wrong 2nd stage. I guess the regular mouthpiece was not findable-- But, who knows. I do find attaching it to the tank a hassle, especially when switching out tanks.
There is a school of thought that the pony valve should remain closed (after the surface pressure check) until needed to eliminate the possibility of an unnoticed complete gas loss via freeflow, especially in turbulent current conditions. I can see both arguments, which is annoying because it means there is not an obvious correct answer. @TMHeimer , when you bungee your pony second around your neck where is your backup second located? For me that is where my backup second goes, and I would not really want two seconds around my neck.I think the biggest potential problem with that setup is simply forgetting to open the valve on the pony before the dive. Unlike with a closed valve on the primary tank (which happens with appalling frequency), you're not likely to recognize the problem until it's nearly too late to solve it.
My backup second is in the traditional "golden triangle" in an octo holder on my right side (lower chest). Ideally, this is what I would donate. When diving solo (most of the time), I bungee my Primary around the back of my head to hold in the mouthpiece in case I ever go unconscious. Have not heard of anyone else ever doing that. Of course, if I'm with a buddy, it is not bungeed, in case the OOA guy grabs for my primary instead of the octo.--don't want him ripping my head off... If I'm also using the pony, it would be bungeed around my neck.There is a school of thought that the pony valve should remain closed (after the surface pressure check) until needed to eliminate the possibility of an unnoticed complete gas loss via freeflow, especially in turbulent current conditions. I can see both arguments, which is annoying because it means there is not an obvious correct answer. @TMHeimer , when you bungee your pony second around your neck where is your backup second located? For me that is where my backup second goes, and I would not really want two seconds around my neck.
when you bungee your pony second around your neck where is your backup second located? For me that is where my backup second goes, and I would not really want two seconds around my neck.
Oh, well that makes sense. I never really considered securing one's reg to one's mouth, but I am also not ready to go solo yet.My backup second is in the traditional "golden triangle" in an octo holder on my right side (lower chest). Ideally, this is what I would donate. When diving solo (most of the time), I bungee my Primary around the back of my head to hold in the mouthpiece in case I ever go unconscious. Have not heard of anyone else ever doing that. Of course, if I'm with a buddy, it is not bungeed, in case the OOA guy grabs for my primary instead of the octo.--don't want him ripping my head off... If I'm also using the pony, it would be bungeed around my neck.
I agree that there are good arguments both sides of whether to have the pony's valve on. I favour on. Then I don't have to try to do that in a emergency, and if an OOA buddy grabbed THAT, at least he/she would get air. None of this stuff has happened to me yet and hopefully never will. Of course, that in itself gives me pause to think.