Should we get pony bottles?

[Alabama]

I won't turn this into a solo diving discussion. God knows that argument has been had all over this board and it can't be won. I will say that even when I dive with someone else, I don't look at them as my savior if something goes wrong. I prefer to be as self sufficient as I can possibly be. If I have a real problem, and running out of gas isn't a problem for me, I would prefer to think I can deal with it and not have to put my buddy into a situation that elevates his risk as well. Can I plan for everything? No, I can't. But the things I can, I will deal with on my own.

 

[DaleC]

As this is the advanced diving forum I'll say that the perfect buddy may be the ideal but reality has a way of changing things.

Honestly, it's just a little tank of air, not plutonium. There is nothing wrong with wanting a redundant air source you control rather than one someone else controls. The level of trust one has in a buddy depends on how long and well you know them and whether they have demonstrated their capacities in a stressed situation. If someone can take a canlight, 7' hose or argon on a recreational dive I see no reason to suggest a pony is any more unnecessary.

I personally like having a redundant air source for dives deeper than I am capable of reasonably CESAing from and am comfortable advocating the same to others. It doesn't mean I don't also advocate good buddy skills if that's the way you want to dive. I'm comfortable because I'm pretty sure no one is going to die from carrying a small bottle. However, those who advocate not taking a bottle make a big assumption when they blindly suggest people trust their buddies without knowing the skill level or commitment that those buddies have. That is something I am not comfortable doing.

 

[Kharon]

... However, those who advocate not taking a bottle make a big assumption when they blindly suggest people trust their buddies without knowing the skill level or commitment that those buddies have. That is something I am not comfortable doing.

DaleC - I wish there were double or tripple likes.

 

[UrbanJungle1966]

As a new diver but past the stage of being completely useless I am at the stage at looking for an alternate air supply. I have a good buddies/buddies but on the occasions where I dive somewhere else with a renta buddy every time I find too many occasions I am by myself for long enough to think about this topic. On 4 occasions I have been abandoned.

Whilst this doesn't worry me it does take away from my enjoyment. So I have looked at side mount, twin tanks and a pony. At this stage a Pony sounds like the easiest and cheapest option for me.

The only thing I can add is my Instructor told me make sure it can be cut off so use rope to connect the shackles. maniago's link looks perfect.