Pony bottle vs. Spare Air?

[peterbj7]

I bought a 3 litre pony and simple unbalanced Oceanic regulator at a dive show for less than I later paid wholesale for a Spare Air when I sold them, though admittedly there were several years between the two transactions. I used that Pony/reg for several years without problem and then gave the pony away. I still have the reg.

I sold my last Spare Air for not much more than I paid for it, because I was embarrassed to stock something I wouldn't use myself and wouldn't recommend to anyone else (talking about recreational divers - they may be great for other applications).

 

[Thalassamania]

I bought a 3 litre pony and simple unbalanced Oceanic regulator at a dive show for less than I later paid wholesale for a Spare Air when I sold them, though admittedly there were several years between the two transactions. I used that Pony/reg for several years without problem and then gave the pony away. I still have the reg.

I sold my last Spare Air for not much more than I paid for it, because I was embarrassed to stock something I wouldn't use myself and wouldn't recommend to anyone else (talking about recreational divers - they may be great for other applications).

Be sure you take your spare air with you on any helicopter flight that you might make over water.

 

[String]

Be sure you take your spare air with you on any helicopter flight that you might make over water.

Im not even taking one on that and preferring to rely on my survival suit and training. In fact im not aware of them being issued to many/any helo crews either.

 

[Sh@rkW@tcher]

For anyone looking to increase the capacity of a spare air. The HPA (high pressure air) tanks for paintball, rated @ 300PSI and hydro'd just like scuba tanks, have the same thread size as the spare air regulator and easily screws on giving up to 9 cu.ft capacity. I have 3 that I use for various work activities and get 10-15 minutes of air @ 30 fsw. The big drawback is how to carry it. I'm open to any DYI ideas on that.

 

[DandyDon]

This guy sells bags, or look around ebay for others. Pony Cylinder Attachment Pouch - Aluminium Pony - eBay (item 380022084137 end time May-02-08 13:15:00 PDT)

 

[Sh@rkW@tcher]

Thanks DD, I'll look into that option.

 

[peterbj7]

rated @ 300PSI

I take it you mean 3000psi?

 

[Sh@rkW@tcher]

Correct...3000psi, not 300. Guess I need to start proof reading more often. Both Luxfer and Catalina make HPA tanks for paintball...stick with the AL ones. The composite tanks are too positive.

 

[AbyssalPlains]

Is that going to give a full breath at 130 ft? :silly: Now I am really insulted.

One breath at 130ft is all you need--if you're a spare air diver, all you need is that one extra breath to allow you to locate the elevator button on your "i3" BC, and up you go.

 

[peterbj7]

That must be the "Willy Wonker" BC, the one that takes you straight to the chamber wherever it is.