Pony bottle vs. Spare Air?

[zackdon]

Hello,

As everyone has told you the difference I won't. But when teaching I prefer a pony. If I ran into an out of air situation I can unclip my pony clip it to someone and back away. Not going to make another poblem. A spare air might bring you to the surface from about 40 ft. I don't know your SAC rate. It just does not hold enough air.

 

[IceBergSlim]

Hello,

As everyone has told you the difference I won't. But when teaching I prefer a pony. If I ran into an out of air situation I can unclip my pony clip it to someone and back away. Not going to make another poblem. A spare air might bring you to the surface from about 40 ft. I don't know your SAC rate. It just does not hold enough air.

Is it common for students to run out of air during your classes?

 

[Katamuki]

Good question Slim...

 

[fisherdvm]

Is it common for students to run out of air during your classes?

It is not unusual for a pony to be brought to a rescue class to teach the self rescue portion of the course.

It is not unusual to teach a student how to deploy and fill a pony for use on the deep dive section of the AOW.

It is not a bad thing to introduce the concept to OW students if you had time.

Right?

 

[DandyDon]

I dunno, waiting for his answer - but he may be off diving this weekend. Wish I was. No rush...

 

[wjsdive]

My personal contribution( i.e. $.02and maybe not worth anymore) when this question arises, and it may have already been said, is that whenever I hear stories of thingS gone wrong underwater it's rarely just one thing. Its typically more than one thing going wrong at the same time and for that I want more than the few breaths a spare air will give me.

 

[DandyDon]

My personal contribution( i.e. $.02and maybe not worth anymore) when this question arises, and it may have already been said, is that whenever I hear stories of thingS gone wrong underwater it's rarely just one thing. Its typically more than one thing going wrong at the same time and for that I want more than the few breaths a spare air will give me.

You carry a pony, Bill?

 

[Piccola]

Well this certainly has had some passionate chatter. I think all the OP questions have been asked and answered so this is just info from me. I am relatively new to diving and I pondered getting the spare air. After much debate and research I decided to go with the Zeagle pony bottle system. I have it attached to my BCD behind my right shoulder/arm and I take it with me on every dive. It also travels with me to tropical destinations. It is easily disassembled to get through airport security and easily assembled and filled when I get where I am going. Laugh all they want in warm waters, my pony is my new best friend! I have only used it to keep familiar with its use and to check the setup when I don't 'need' it. My plan is to never need it but I sure am glad I have it. It can easily be passed to someone in need and would qualify as an alternative air source, in a class, where spare air would not. If I decide to go to a bigger bottle I could use the 1st/2nd stage. I think it is satisfactory for recreational diving and while dive buddies are always a must, self help should be as well.

 

[diverDano]

on the weight issue....just a comment. I've got my lead down to 20lbs. I dive the lightest bc with the lightest gear, wear an aluminum 80, and now I'm as light as I can be!!(no bailout here!!!). But I'm sure gonna have fun with my 50lb scooter i'm hauling down the beach to the water!!!!

 

[Bobyjimmie]

...this subject again?