Pony bottle vs. Spare Air?

[Lowrider Steve]

I guess it is the nature of a forum to have a strong opinion one way or the other, but it really seems to me that in an emergency, a spare air is better than nothing, a pony is better than a spare air, and nothing beats well maintained equipment, good training (with recurrent practice) and a good dive buddy.

 

[DandyDon]

I guess it is the nature of a forum to have a strong opinion one way or the other, but it really seems to me that in an emergency, a spare air is better than nothing, a pony is better than a spare air, and nothing beats well maintained equipment, good training (with recurrent practice) and a good dive buddy.

Sure....
> The SA @ 3 cf is a little better than nothing and easier to carry in luggage, on the boat, on dives - but for so little more than nothing, why bother?
> The pony is going to cost about the same, giving you a lot more time @ 6, 9, 13, or 30 cf, but it is more hassle to carry traveling, boarding, diving.
> Duals give you a hell of a lot more, and you don't carry tanks for those on planes, but then you have entered a new area still with manifolds, charter boat allowing the space, etc.

 

[Doc]

Damn. Missed post #300 by just >< that much.

 

[peterbj7]

Alternatively, if you dive with us I can supply you with a smaller tank that you can side-sling, mount across your chest, or whatever. Choice of 20cu.ft., 30, 40 or 50.

Shameless plug!! But I don't know of anyone else here or around who keeps such tanks.

 

[Graeme Tolton]

I have a 6cf Bottle that incorporates a 1st and 2nd stage regulator like a spare air. It is made by H2Odyssea. They can be bought on ebay or various other online places.
H2ODYSSEY EXTRA AIR SOURCE - EAS6 KIT WITH YOKE ADAPTER Scuba Gear price comparison

 

[Diver Dennis]

Personally, I'd like to have a holster that could hold 4 or 5 spare air to replace a weight belt. Then you'd have lots of gas. Well, at least as much as a decent size pony.

 

[Graeme Tolton]

Haha, only if... I think it is only about 1lb negative! The other nice thing about the one that I have is that if you have an extra second staage, you can attach it to the 1st stage on this unit.

 

[DandyDon]

I love this thread...
[c]

[/c]

 

[1_T_Submariner]

A spare air would be ok if it where like 13,19 or 30 cu/ft and used a conventional valve with a regular regulator connected to it. Maybe suggest just a few modifications.

 

[peterbj7]

I think I've seen something like that somewhere. Yes, definitely I have. I believe it was called a "scuba tank".