Attaching a pony?

[nomis]

Hello everybody. I've got 15l and 12l dumpy cylinders with that plastic mesh stuff around it. As you can surmise I'm not technically minded. I'm getting a pony and am wondering how to attach to the above. Best option I can see is to get a Kent tooling bracket that attaches by the cam band of the BCD. This means I can swop tanks and fix a permanent bracket to the pony. Has anyone done this? Is it the best option? Any helpful and/or humorous responses appreciated. Cheers.

[MATTBIN]

Its one way, and it works ok.
Other options include a bag (not colostomy), a set of AP Valves dual loop cam bands and side/front sling.

Whatever method you choose ensure you can if needs be throttle the tank valve, which if back mounted usualy means invert the tank.

Personally I prefer a front/side sling because a) its cheaper, b) its easier to hand on/off as needs be and c) its easier to get balanced.

I'd try a front/side sling first as its easy and cheap to do, either purchase a kit from your local shop or just get 2 big jubiee clips, some cord, a couple of clips and you're away.

Matt

ps I used to have my pony attached via the s/s bracket on the cam band, then I went front/side sling. More money than sense!! Plus I wasnt on YD so didnt know there were other options, well done for asking before spending.

[chrisch]

Put some hay between the tank and the plastic wrapper stuff.

It will not attach the pony, but it won't stray far away.

Chris

[Twinsetmad]

Belly sling it....It will give you better balance and trim in the water.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by MATTBIN

Personally I prefer a front/side sling because a) its cheaper, b) its easier to hand on/off as needs be and c) its easier to get balanced.

I'd try a front/side sling first as its easy and cheap to do, either purchase a kit from your local shop or just get 2 big jubiee clips, some cord, a couple of clips and you're away.

Matt

Wot he said

[Finless]

There are quite a few different options you can use. Are you a member of a club and, if so, do you go to pool nights? Your best 'first option' is to see what any club members are doing and if any of them appeal to you.

Personally I bought some special cam bands - they are the same as the normal cylinder cam bands except these look like a figure 8 (two bands sewn together). They worked very well and the pony cylinder was held very securely.

The option you mentioned in your opening post sounds favourite as there is little messing about between dives and cylinders?

[Tony Jay]

Originally Posted by MATTBIN

Its one way, and it works ok.

Whatever method you choose ensure you can if needs be throttle the tank valve, which if back mounted usualy means invert the tank.
Matt

I call this is an opinion, if non techy diving it is not vital to be able to turn off your pony yourself (in my opinion). There are other options - get buddy to turn it off, surface normally etc etc. We do not expect single cyclinder divers to be able to turn off their gas - who suffer from the same problems which one would have with a pony.

I would also be careful 'handing off' a steel pony, unless you have practiced this and are correctly ("over") weighted. mine is equivalent to 2 or 3 kilos negative (It is common to have steel ponies, but ali stages). If I handed my steel pony off on a normal dive I would have insufficient weight to continue (i weight my self on every dive) . The same as if I handed off my main cylinder, its is part of my weighting !

Tony

[Ding Dang Doo]

I side sling my little pony!

Oh, and I've had problems with that meshy stuff around cylinders, tends to cause a bit of 'slippage' IMO...

As the others have said, try a few different methods, the best way, is the way that works best for you.

Pete

[MATTBIN]

Originally Posted by Tony Jay

I call this is an opinion, if non techy diving it is not vital to be able to turn off your pony yourself (in my opinion). There are other options - get buddy to turn it off, surface normally etc etc. We do not expect single cyclinder divers to be able to turn off their gas - who suffer from the same problems which one would have with a pony.

I would also be careful 'handing off' a steel pony, unless you have practiced this and are correctly ("over") weighted. mine is equivalent to 2 or 3 kilos negative (It is common to have steel ponies, but ali stages). If I handed my steel pony off on a normal dive I would have insufficient weight to continue (i weight my self on every dive) . The same as if I handed off my main cylinder, its is part of my weighting !

Tony

Tony
it is also usefull to be able put the pony after the bcd has been put on, with a rear mounted pony this has to be lifted in one go and/or carried as one lump, can be quite heavy. Side sling gets around this issue.

I cant agree that a single cylinder diver shouldnt be able to turn off his pony, its not rocket science and what happens if he loses his buddy and needs to throttle the pony, its a skill that should be learnt at the earliest opportunity. If you are UK diving you should be self sufficient (unless you are DIR of course but that is quite a step from newbie/inexperienced diver). I put a pony on my bcd almost from day 1 in UK diving and knew how to throttle it if needs be.

Matt

[nomis]

Thanks chaps, I think I'll try the cam band option to begin with, plus a bit of hay. Any ideas where to get these from and what do I attach to? I find the problem with asking questions is that it inevitably leads to more! I don't go on pool sessions at the moment, but I would be playing with it at Horsea Island first.