[quote=Nick Bown]
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If you stop and think of all the situations when a pony may be useful, you may descide that you can resolve those situations without using a pony of that a pony wouldn't be so useful after all. The reasons I came up with when thinking about ponies are rescreational diving were:
1, Freeflow - Use your buddies octo and ascend.
2, Out of air - Use your buddies octo and ascend (and why didn't you notice earlier!).
3, Problem when you've lost your buddy - CESA (and don't loose your buddy in the first place!)
4, Tank valve failure - CESA (and how likely is this? Not very)
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If its that simple why do so many divers die from OOA / low air situations
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1, Extra weight on my rig.
2, Extra reg to find in case of an emergency.
3, Extra servicing costs.
4, Remembering to drain the pony periodically and have it refilled.
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Extra weight yes
Extra reg debatable, I would get rid of my octo.
Extra servicing cost yes
Draining pony unnecessary as you will be practicing your OOA pony bailouts every 6 or so dives wont you? WONT YOU?
If yuo dont like Ponys for other reasions a H valve or Y valve is a perfictly good option.
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However, I would strongly recommend some kind of redundancy if you are diving in conditions where buddy loss are likely
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Like being a new diver with an inexperianced buddy or a buddy you dont know and trust.
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or if you are in any kind of overhead environment (including deco). However, if you aren't at that point in your diving then don't worry too much about it until you get there.
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Dont even think about it untill you have a twin set. A 3ltr is IMHO not big enough for these types of dives. I would want to see a 7ltr pony (stage) with a minimum single 15 and rule of thirds applied.
I feel strongley about this issue so forgive me if i come across as agresive.
ATB
Mark Chase