Pony

[Chris H]

When we do OC deco dives, the regulators are pressurized and then the valve turned off.  When we do a gas switch, we verify the correct gas is being switched to and the tank is turned on at that time.  However, while diving my rebreather, the tank I need to breathe first, in case of emergency, is turned on all the time with the other deco gases pressurized and then turned off.  I guess a "pony" would fall into the leave it on category because if you need it you likely really need it.  However, other than a true OOA situation on OC, you should have time to turn the valve on if you needed it.  A freeflowing reg will still give you air.  You could switch to your pony and shutdown the freeflow.

Your thoughts on the instabuddy are the reason I'd have second thoughts about passing the bottle.  The other part I don't quite understand is running out of air.  Equipment problems I can sort of understand, but this isn't rocket science.  Looking at a gauge isn't that difficult. 



OK,... Now I have a question related to "turning the pony tank on if or when you have a problem"... What are your thoughts on turning the pony tank on prior to the dive versus waiting to turn it on until you have a problem? I was told that if you have an older reg on the pony, and don't turn it on before the dive, that water can get forced through the mouthpiece, through the first stage, and into the second stage creating problems. I do fully like the idea of being able to reach the knob for a lot of reasons.
I am on the fence with the passing the pony/stage to a "instabuddy". The "instabuddy" probably was certified by the same agency (or agencies) as me or many of you. I don't remember in Openwater, Advanced Openwater, Rescue Diver, or Divermaster Certification anywhere that taught this skill... Did I miss that whole chapter? Would an "instabuddy" (who you may have just met that same day) be on board with learning this new skill set during the emergency situation? I agree that passing a stage has its place, but there are the standard practices for out of air situations that were taught to all of us that should do the trick.
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