How many of you all have and use pony bottles?

[NeveSSL]

Hi all!

A pony bottle is something that I definitely interested in. I think its an awesome extra measure of safety.

But I'm curious... how many of you are using one and which type/brand are you using? The little spare air bottles look pretty nice to me. But getting a small bottle and using an inexpensive regulator may be not be too bad, either.

Brandon

[pir8]

When i'm out in the Ocean I carry minimum of a 30cf pony, usually a 40.
Have to admit that I don't carry it in the quarry though

[navyhmc]

I sling an AL19 with a Beauchat reg. The spare air to me is very inadequate. It will get you to the surface-if you hurry, but that's about it. There are a number of threads about spare air vs. pony bottle, but the general concensus is that the pony is the better way to go.

As for the regulator, why spend a little cash for a safety measure and put a possibly less than ideal regulator on it. Not saying buy a top of the line $1000 regulator, but look at the reglulator you want to buy to ensure it is still a good value for the money-balanced reg being one of the features I would strongly reccommend.

Also, even though you don't actually use it on dives, don't forget to take care of it as your other reg/equipment. It is the one you're going to rely on when the worst case happens so you must be sure it works when you need it too.

[bassplayer]

I am saving for either a 13 or 19 to sling.

[BSea]

I have a 19 & a 40(both slung). But the 40 is really more of a stage bottle than a pony. For sport dives to 100' or less, the 19 is plenty IMHO.

[NeveSSL]

Awesome.

Thanks for the replies, guys. Sounds like a 19 seems to be the most common size.

Thanks!

Brandon

[BouzoukiJoe A.K.A. wrecker130 AKA Chuck Norris AKA joeforbroke (banned)]

I carry a 40 cf pony on any dive in which a CESA is not an option because it is either too deep, has overheads, or its very important to come up at a certain place due to potential surface currents, big seas, etc. I use the same regulator on my pony as I use for my main tank and I switch them out every couple of weeks so they get used at the same rate and I can be more confident that the Pony reg actually works.

Now I said I carry a pony. Using it is another matter. In theory you should never have to use it. I have only used it once in a non-practice scenario and even then it was not necessary. I admit that commited a cardinal sin and I used it to extend my dive after having my main tank leak down a bunch during the boat ride. I breathed down my main tank to the point that I had plenty of gas for a slow ascent. While staying in sight of the anchor line I switched to my pony. It was the last dive of the day and I had ample reserves in my main tank if my pony failed. Ordinarily I agree that the gas in your pony is for emergencies only, but this was all planned out before splashing, so I feel it was a reasonable and prudent plan.

[thor]

Some NJ dive ops require them on every ocean dive, even less ahn 100ft.

[RoyN]

I'm saving for an AL40 for a stage bottle.

[Scotttyd]

I sling a 30, it is a compramise for me between size and utility. I have experimented with my positioning, and now I think I have it down where it creates the least amount of drag. At first I had it where it hung low and really caused me to blow through my gas, but now I might almost have it down. I use it in the same situations as Joe mentions, or in the cases where I have an instabuddy on North Carolina coastal dives and I would rather trust my redunant air source that I have vs a buddy that may disappear as soon as we splash.

Originally Posted by BouzoukiJoe

Now I said I carry a pony. Using it is another matter. In theory you should never have to use it. I have only used it once in a non-practice scenario and even then it was not necessary. I admit that commited a cardinal sin and I used it to extend my dive after having my main tank leak down a bunch during the boat ride. I breathed down my main tank to the point that I had plenty of gas for a slow ascent. While staying in sight of the anchor line I switched to my pony. It was the last dive of the day and I had ample reserves in my main tank if my pony failed. Ordinarily I agree that the gas in your pony is for emergencies only, but this was all planned out before splashing, so I feel it was a reasonable and prudent plan.

When I am diving with you in two weeks I hope you have that same attititude so my dive is not cut short because your tank leaked. I won't tell anybody