Attaching a pony?

[Richard Mason]

Originally Posted by Tony Jay

This is obviously an issue, but not enough to justify for most. These same people we are advising now, are probably going to be asking about twin 12's next year.


I guess that is just a different way of diving. From day 1 I have tried not to lose my buddy (whether leading or following) and then kit failure is like having the reserve parachute fail. Also throttling a cylinder just turns it off to reduce bubbles, it generally does not make it usable (unlike on a manifolded set).
Self sufficient is a subjective term. There are many ways to deal with problems, . i.e. if you lose buddy and pony on a dive, just surface. It is no different than not having the pony in the first place.
I think if one is doing diving that requires shutdowns one is beyond a Pony.
But that is just an opinion !

Why is equipement failure discussed at such length when it always seems to be the kit between the ears that fails first.

Tony

My pony is dived with the valve in the "off" position but pressurised. It will only be turned "on" as and when needed. The idea with the cylinderr kounted pony is that it is also off but pressurised prior to the dive. Inverting it enables you to turn it on, at least that's the theory. It's a PITA with an inverted pony in the boat though and I gave up on this in the finish, there's to much risk of the bloody thing falling over and bingling the pony reg.

[MarkyBish]

Looks like I'm one of the few that still has his attached to his main cylinder.

I use a Northern Diver bracket which (a little pricey) is rock solid and a doddle to use.

I can see the advantages of side slinging the thing, but I haven't had any problems with getting the whole rig (15 + pony) on the boat afterwards.

I also leave mine turned on with the reg hanging round my neck, coz I know if I'm ever in the situation when I'll need it, I don't have to worry about turning it on or anything, just swap regs.

My 2p

[Tony Jay]

Originally Posted by Richard Mason

My pony is dived with the valve in the "off" position but pressurised. It will only be turned "on" as and when needed. The idea with the cylinderr kounted pony is that it is also off but pressurised prior to the dive. Inverting it enables you to turn it on, at least that's the theory. It's a PITA with an inverted pony in the boat though and I gave up on this in the finish, there's to much risk of the bloody thing falling over and bingling the pony reg.

Richard,
Each to his own, but having breathable gas turned off is not my idea of fun.
I do this on my stage, but not on my emergency gas.
If I hand off my primary, my next reaction in dip and take my reg from my necklace and then provide assistance with my hands to the panicky person - I don't want to have to fumble for a cylinder valve in order to get a breath.
At the end of a dive with cold hands it can even take two hands to turn on gas as one has to stop the cylinder rotating while opening the valve.
I've donated a few times and there always seems less space than when practicing drills.
I have no idea who teaches turning off redundant gas, none of the agencies i've trained with, but I've havn't been on a course for a while.

My opinion (as always)

Tony

[RogerViking]

aye what tony said remember that those 3l steel ponys can way as much as 7K. if its single bottle dives dubble cams i find are the best, with quick relise otherwise sling it of to some D rings.

roger

[Scuby]

If you want a quick release clamp then the MetalSub / Northern Diver ones are generally recognised as the best, by a fair margin - should be able to get one for about £50 new. Less hassle than the buddy bands & blocks (ie much easier to put on and take off) and holds it very solidly to the main tank.

David

[Richard Mason]

Originally Posted by Tony Jay

Richard,
Each to his own, but having breathable gas turned off is not my idea of fun.
I do this on my stage, but not on my emergency gas.
If I hand off my primary, my next reaction in dip and take my reg from my necklace and then provide assistance with my hands to the panicky person - I don't want to have to fumble for a cylinder valve in order to get a breath.
At the end of a dive with cold hands it can even take two hands to turn on gas as one has to stop the cylinder rotating while opening the valve.
I've donated a few times and there always seems less space than when practicing drills.
I have no idea who teaches turning off redundant gas, none of the agencies i've trained with, but I've havn't been on a course for a while.

My opinion (as always)

Tony

Fair enough. I don't necklace my pony though, it's bungeed and out of the way - diffrent strokes I guess. (oops no that's not how it was mean't).