chrisch
Contributor
Get a pony bottle and carry it with you on every dive Geobound. It is in many ways more reliable that most buddies you will be paired with. It is not a replacement for proper training, sound judgement and risk management but it does carry a redundant source of gas that you can use to breathe underwater while buddy has time to react. Either way I have carried one for almost 10 years now. My training and experience has progressed but the pony has stayed with me all along. Its just cheap insurance.
Get proper training then get a redundant source of gas that is correct for you. This advice is only half right. Solo diving requires a redundant source but there are plenty of good training courses now available to teach correct procedure. The days of strap on a pony and everything is OK should be well over by now.
Pony bottles can and do kill people. Please don't just offer them up as the solution in this way.