Pony bottles and gasses

[Col.Maniac]

Hi, got a question about pony bottles and type of gasses used.

Im not a qualified nitrox diver, I want to know if I can use nitrox in my pony for emergency use only, with out a ticket?


The case being if something went wrong and I needed to come up on my pony the extra O2 I would imagine would have a lower %age chance of a bend.
Thanks for any info Tony

[jlwarlow]

Originally Posted by Col.Maniac

Hi, got a question about pony bottles and type of gasses used.

Im not a qualified nitrox diver, I want to know if I can use nitrox in my pony for emergency use only, with out a ticket?


The case being if something went wrong and I needed to come up on my pony the extra O2 I would imagine would have a lower %age chance of a bend.
Thanks for any info Tony

First you would find it difficult to get your pony filled without a valid nitrox qualification card. Filling stations fill air without a ticket but most do ask for a nitrox fill.

Second you should get the training you need to understand about partial pressures of oxygen and the maximum operating depths the different %O2 mixes have, breathing the wrong mix below its maximum operating depth can kill you - which is why you should get trained.

If you want a bail out then go for a pony and fill with air, it's what I did. Then I got advanced nitrox (not difficuly, a few lectures then some DSMB drills and reg switching), my pony is now O2 clean and I can use mixes up to 50%.

If such a situation arose you'd ascend at a safe controlled speed to the surface where you could be administered 100% O2 even as a preventative manner, but as long as your ascent rate is controlled and safe and you do your deco stops then you should be fine with air, I was. The only reason I did the nitrox course was due to a trip I've just had where we were doing 9 days diving with some deep dives (ok deep to me being >35) and everyone else on the boat was nitrox trained, but before that I was on trips with air without trouble.

[Neil M]

Originally Posted by Col.Maniac

Hi, got a question about pony bottles and type of gasses used.

Im not a qualified nitrox diver, I want to know if I can use nitrox in my pony for emergency use only, with out a ticket?


The case being if something went wrong and I needed to come up on my pony the extra O2 I would imagine would have a lower %age chance of a bend.
Thanks for any info Tony

Tony,

Generally you WILL be asked for a cert card (I would be suprised if you were not asked). Nitrox is not as simple as putting a reg in and breathing it... you will need an understanding of oxygen tox etc before use and how to handle the gas. (sorry if this sounds patronising). Personally, I think that a nitrox course is an excellent idea, and I rarely use anything else these days.

Oxygen is not very forgiving u/w, using the wrong mix, too deep, can cause convulsions.... you need to know how to prevent this - it isnt hard, but you will need to know/understand this.

Dive safe
Neil

[Col.Maniac]

ok thanks for info, was just a thought
Tony

[daz]

Have a look at the TDI Nitrox course, a bit of theory, not too much money and problem solved.

Definitely worth doing.

Daz

[Narked@50]

I agree with everything said, do the course, it's not too hard or expencive and must be one of the most benaficial around. As for the pony, if it's bail out it is best being air, then you can use it for literaly any dive you would do, as for bailing on nitrox, it's only to get you to the surface and then you should hit the 100% stuff.

James