IMHO, It might be described as an "inadequate solution". I started to my 
solo diving career for the same reasons you describe and I just did not 
trust my pony. If you are relying on it for your life, you get a little 
paranoid on checking it to make sure it will work when you need it.

I could not take it any longer an went doubles, which is the hot setup. 
But when using rental single 80's, your best defence is to not go into 
decompression or put yourself in any situation where using a single 80 is 
a bad idea. This is what solo diving is all about, understanding 
limitations.

The temptation to use a pony to put yourself in bad situation is hard to 
resist. "Man, just a little longer and I can get this lobster. Shit, I'm 
at turn pressure. Ah, well I've got that 'ol pony back there, I need to 
change the air in it, anyway. Oh, oh, getting into decom, shoot that 30 
lasts an hour at the hangbar." etc etc. I've done the slippery slope and 
seen many other divers come up the ladder with the pony reg in their 
mouths. And it ain't deco gas.

A pony is a placebo at best, just like a spair air.

   Jim

On 1/23/98 3:45 PM Paul Braunbehrens wrote:

>Very interesting post, but I have a few questions. You keep counting the
>Pony as "part of your gas supply".  I think in this case, it is not
>considered like that really.  It is considered more as an emergency supply
>which allows you to get back to the surface safely.
>
>Let me back up a little.  The reason I have considered getting a pony is
>because I do end up doing a lot of solo diving, mostly because of Rule #1.
>I rarely go below 90fsw, but it does happen.  I am a little concerned that
>if I should experience a complete failure of my air supply at that depth
>and on an exhale, I might have a problem.  Also, I like to make a 15 foot 3
>min stop on the way up.  The dives I do are often from tanks that the boat
>supplies, and I am never very far from the boat.  My safe haven really is
>the surface, in case of any problem, but I don't want to have to shoot up
>to it like a bat out of hell from 110 feet with no stop.
>
>In this case do you think a Pony is an adequate solution?


 -------------------------------------------------------------------
 Learn About Trimix At http://www.cisatlantic.com/trimix/trimix.html


--
Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'.
Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.

Navigate by Author: [Previous] [Next] [Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject: [Previous] [Next] [Subject Search Index]

[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]

[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]