Setting Up A Redundant Air Source {[The Pony Bottle]}

[@TritonsRealm]

Thanks for another great video. Nice setup! I have a 19 cu ft AL cylinder secured to my 80 cu ft cylinder with a pony mount bracket. There is a small button spg on it and the regulator is right in front of me on a necklace. This allows me to be a little more hands-free to operate our camera while still having a fully redundant emergency tank. 👍

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Sounds like you got a great set up Triton's Realm.

[@DirtWaterDivers]

You can put the hose retention bands over the carry handle. This allows you to pull the bands while using gloves to store the hose.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

This is a great tip. Thankfully, we have never had any issues with it retention straps, even with thicker gloves.

[@lmlmd2714]

Great walkthough - would love to see one for setting up backmount too, getting a nice tidy config for attaching securely to a main bottle without everything rolling all over the place.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello LMLMD, we have several videos showing how we set up our back plate and wings. We also have several for other BCD styles as well and different attachment options for accessories.

[@AirplaneDetective]

@@LakeHickoryScuba which video shows the pony on the main bottle, I can’t find it in your channel.

[@RK-de5wg]

Hey Brian,....it’s a small world. I met one of your friends here at the Blue Grotto named Dave last weekend who worked with you in the past. I was talking with him since I was impressed that he tried diving at the grotto with just a shorty on,...Brrrrrrr cold. I had asked where he’s from and he said NC. I said funny enough that I watch this KZbin channel for Lake Hickory Scuba and asked him if he’s heard of your store. He chuckled, “I know Brian!” And then further gave me the details. I support the Blue! Be good- Ron

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello R K, it sure is a small world. I will be back at Blue Grotto in a few short weeks.

[@rrojas]

Great video Brian. Would love to see a similar step by step with how to set up and rig your side mount cylinders. My eventual instructor is a fan of the ring bungee system- not sure how much that changes things

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Ricky Rojas, we have had several request for more Sidemount videos, we will see if we can get one made for you.

[@DubaiDiver]

Big fan of having a stage best way for out of air situations - love it👍

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Thanks Brian Davies Scuba.

[@billkirksey4866]

Brian, love your videos! This pony bottle harness setup video is THE best on KZbin!! In the video you note the importance to setup ones harness to ones size/needs... nobody even mentions this! In the video you measure the distance between the upper & hip D-rings, but don’t mention how to use it. After watching the video several times, I’m guessing that distance is used to locate the location of attachment points for the bolt snaps. Is that correct? I recently tried a pony tank for the first time and found that the pony bottle valve was dragging along the bottom of the pool. Not very streamlined and obviously not set up for me. Part of the problem was the location of my upper D-ring. With your help I’ll get my future bottle set up correctly without to much fine tuning needed. Thanks for all!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Bill Kirksey, you are correct. Measuring helps determine where the bolt snaps should be placed. Also you can add a bungee to the side of the BCD that you plan on slinging the bottle to help make it more streamlined.

[@carlossoltero20]

Nice 👍🏻 video! I do suggest adding a small PSG or even a mini 3000 PSI gauge attached to the first stage.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

It definitely helps with verifying how much air you have before the dive. We prefer the button gauges for Pony Bottles.

[@carlossoltero20]

@@LakeHickoryScuba the button gauges is what I call the mini psi 3000 gauge. It screws into the HP port of the 1st stage. Keep up the great videos Bryan!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Yes sir, those are the same gauges.

[@timgosling6189]

As with comments below, I believe an SPG is pretty much essential on any stage or pony.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

We agree Tim Gosling, and there are so many great options out there.

[@KayakDIY]

Great vid!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

thanks KayakDIY, hope you are doing well.

[@pabloarrieta2503]

Great advice! Would be great to have some side mount configuration videos too.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Pablo Arrieta, we done one in the past. I will link it here for you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aH-keaCah9F6mNU

[@pabloarrieta2503]

@@LakeHickoryScuba thanks! I’m rather new to your channel and those videos are at least 2 years old... hard to find! But very interesting anyway!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

You're welcome.

[@michaelfoster4355]

Great video and nice setup, otherwise. Thanks for the info. Keep up the good work. Cheers!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Glad you liked the video michael foster.

[@KB-gd6fc]

I got into sidemount for the purpose of solo diving but Im starting to see the versatility of using a pony system. Say I'm diving BM with my usual buddies and they decide they're done for the day but I want to do another dive. It would be so much easier to just grab an AL40 out of the car than to change my entire configuration.. Hmm.. I may need to get an AL40 soon.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello K B, sometimes Pony Bottles are great, but like you Sidemount is my preferred option.

[@thomasw5430]

Good timing. I just ordered a tank so I could do this setup.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Thomas W, hope our video helps.

[@thomasw5430]

@@LakeHickoryScuba it did! Thank you!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

You're welcome.

[@JaeEmZee]

Great video. Can you share more about redundant air source usage? Maybe opinions about when/why to sling versus rear-mount along the primary air source, bottle size considerations (ie 13, 19, 40, 80), and practical applications? I own a redundant air source, but find that many dive boats seem to be less than thrilled about their usage - so I have very little time using mine. When do you use such a system, and how do you travel with it?

[@brandonm1088]

For back mount you'll have a difficult time turning on your air source without a buddy. Slinging also allows you to donate not just a reg but a whole set up to your buddy. I like the 40 because it allows for a safe ascent from greater depths (like 30 meters in recreational), plus a safety stop, and even a deco if you(Or your buddy) screwed up that bad.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello JaeEmZee, we will be producing another video about back mounted pony systems and when we choose to use them. Stay tuned.

[@JaeEmZee]

@@LakeHickoryScuba thank you!

[@c.patricksadowski9959]

Thanks Brian. Didn’t see a pressure gauge. What are your thoughts on that? I have a button style on mine.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello C. Patrick Sadowski, button gauges or gauges on a 6 inch hose will work just fine. Typically, on a pony bottle we don't run them, but we do on all stages.

[@stevef8065]

Great video can you post a link to the staging kit for the redundant tank?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

lakehickoryscuba.com/product-groups/accessories

[@Teampegleg]

Nut drivers make adjusting bands so much easier.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

This is true.

[@maxtorque2277]

I've always wondered if out-of-air drills should be done on empty lungs? No way in real life would you reg fail just after you've taken a nice big lung full, it's fail when you came to breath in after having exhaled i suspect. There's a world of difference in the panic and anxiety level between having nice full carbon dioxide free lungs and having to swap to a bailout set, and doing the same in a bit of hurry because you're desperate to take breath?

[@Teampegleg]

At least on the technical side the opinion of my cave instructor was that all his out of air shares weren't right now emergencies. As the problem person could breath off the other tank for a while. Though we still practiced them as if they were right now emergencies. Including that breath hold swim during the DP class.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Max Torgue, as someone who has been in this industry for 32 years, I can state that regulator failures can happen at any time. I personally have had issues of them simply not working, or wet breathing before, mid, and at then end of a breath. This is where practice comes into play. Muscle memory means a lot during stressful situations.

[@paulclissold2677]

Really nice piece of kit. Quality parts. No need for a SPG?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Thanks Paul Clissold.

[@kylemabry9578]

Where did you buy the Mares XR pony bottle elastic bands? You said you got extra but I can't find them online.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Kyle Mabry. We are a Mares Dealer here at Lake Hickory Scuba. It’s called the Mares Elastic Strap from their XR Line. They come in a 2 pack. Product 417515. Unfortunately, Mares U.S.A. no longer has any.

[@BlueHorizonDiving]

Always great advice!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Thanks Blue Horizon Diving.

[@bravomike101abn]

Yet again, another great video. I don't know if he covered it in the video, but what did you have your hose clamps wrapped with? I've never seen those metal bands covered black like that.

[@brandonm1088]

For mine I just have the XS scuba stage kit which includes the camp band with cover, I believe he is also using the same kit, but it's just black nylon tubing.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Ryan Lantta, its tubular webbing that comes with the stage kit.

[@flyingnittanylion]

I have a great opt to pickup a Zeagle 20cf that I was planning to use as a bail out bottle. However in thinking ahead, does this 20cf "qualify" as a second redundant air source for the SSI Independent Diver certification? Seems a waste of money if I'll need a 30cf/40cf etc down the road for the certification.... I couldn't find any info listed as needed equipment for course

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello @flyingnittanylion, the most common sizes are the 30cf and 40cf. I tell all of my students to calculate their redundant breathing gas, based on their personal SAC rates, and add 3 extra minutes for a safety stop, and an additional 5 minutes for emergencies. Once this is done, then whatever their personal needs are, that will help them determine how much extra gas they should take for redundancy. Just to clarify, you will need to calculate both your SAC rate and your RMV rate to get the answer you are looking for. Now in regards to what is required for the SSI Independent Course, standards simply say a redundant system. So technically, it can be any size cylinder. Most Independent Instructors are like me though, and will suggest either a 30cf or 40cf.

[@michaeldolanch613]

Great video! I am a newly certified open water diver...looking to do a pony bottle. What are your thoughts on having an spg on it?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

I think that the small little button gauges work great for Pony Systems.

[@searching4279]

I am looking at the 40

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello searching4279, both the 30 cf and the 40 cf are great options. Most divers find that anything less than the 30cf are not that practical. The key thing to consider is your personal SAC and RMV rates, and how much air does it take to ascend from a given depth. Once this is determined, then you can choose the appropriate cylinder.

[@jdavis8610]

I dive mine with the hose in back of my neck and the regulator hooked to a neck strap. Good idea or not so?

[@dh5645]

I think it’s best slung the way he has it. That way I can use it or my buddy can use it or I can give the whole thing away. Plus I can reach the valve to turn it on and off. I have had all of those scenarios present themselves.

[@TritonsRealm]

I have mine on a neck strap as well. It's been a nice setup for me while solo diving. If I'm diving with a buddy and they need air, they can use my octo.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello g Davis. My suggestion is to see what works best for you, and in the situation you are diving with a buddy, make sure you do a thorough pre dive safety check and explain to him or her how an out of air emergency should be handled with your set up. Also, make sure you train with your system so that you will become proficient with it.

[@jdavis8610]

@@LakeHickoryScuba Thanks!

[@Kirbythediver]

No hate, just criticism The old intro music was better Good content Since when does an AL80 qualify as a pony lol thats a deco bottle

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello kirbythebamf, I have to admit, I liked the older music better as well. Unfortunately, the majority of our viewers didn't like it, so we changed it for them.

[@michaelfoster4355]

Not to be a jerk but to pass on some info...the word is pronounced height. HITE. Not Heighth. Length, width, but height. Speak better, sound better, taken seriously better. Cheers!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello michael foster, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. It must be my SOUTHERN ACCENT.