[aclivity]

<font color='#000080'>I'm fairly new to this diving lark, and whilst I have bought all of the basic kit required to keep me alive, I am considering the next step with my kit configuration. &nbsp;

I have subscribed to the philosophy that even when diving with a buddy, I should also be 'self sufficient' - I don't want my only hope of recovery to be someone who may be looking the other way when I become out of air, for example.

So, I've decided to get more air. &nbsp;I would consider a twin set - and recognise that in the long term this would give me the best level of redundancy etc. &nbsp;In the short term, cashflow being a consideration, I'm considering a pony cylinder as my bailout option.

Right, so here comes the question. &nbsp;I dive with several people from my club who have pony bottles on their backs, attached to their BCD's. &nbsp;This makes the BC heavier when kitting up (and recovering them into the RIB), and also means that the weight on the BC is lobsided. &nbsp;I'm already lobsided enough, so I looked at other ways to sling the pony. &nbsp;One guy in the club has his pony slung horizontally across his front - it means that kitting up takes a few seconds longer, and there is more to hand up to the RIB, but seems to me to be a more balanced way of doing it. &nbsp;

Another alternative is to side sling it, but this would seem to have the same unbalancing effect as banding it to my main cylinder on my BC.

It'll be a while before I get the cash to buy this (cash flow being a controlled resource - my wife doesn't dive and doesn't understand the need for gadgets and kit .....) so I have time to consider my options. &nbsp;Does anyone have any recommendations or warnings about particular methods?

Andy