How to Add a Pony Bottle to Dive Gear

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Divers need to have their gear handy and properly stowed away on their persons. This both prevents gear from being dragged on the sea floor and allows one to be certain of where something is when it is needed. Pony bottles are sometimes used as utility tools (filling air bags, for example) or as back-up sources of air, so there are several different ways to add them to a scuba diving kit.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Quick Release Bracket

Things You’ll Need:

Quick release bracket kit Screwdriver Pony bottle holster
Quick release bracket kit
Screwdriver
Pony bottle holster

Step 1

Thread a large pair of metal tank straps through the female part of the bracket (the receiving part) and a pair of small metal tank straps through the male part of the bracket (the part with the insertion prong).

Step 2

Wrap the large straps and attached bracket around your main air cylinder. Most brackets of this kind are for the right side (from the wearer's perspective), but some are meant for the left side. Be sure your bracket is on the appropriate side, since doing otherwise might place the release pin out of reach. Set the straps at the desired height along the cylinder, thread the strap end through the fastener, pull until taut, and then tighten the fastener with a screwdriver.

Step 3

Repeat Step 2 using the small straps and attached bracket on the pony bottle. The exception is on what side the bracket should be facing. If you have a right-sided bracket kit, the pony bottle bracket should be facing to the left.

Step 4

Insert the pony bottle's bracket into the receiving bracket on the primary air cylinder, and insert the pin to fasten it. To release the bottle underwater, a buddy pulls the pin and slides the bottle off.

BCD Holsters

Step 1

Insert the pony bottle into a matching fabric holster. Don't try to attach the holster while it is empty, as you probably won't get the fit right.

Step 2

Secure the holster to your BCD by fastening it to your BCD's hooks. Holsters of this type might be secured by adjustable Velcro straps, carbiners or any other number of simple method.

Step 3

Put the BCD on and see if you are satisfied with the arrangement. The most important thing is that the bottle be in a handy, comfortable location that does not block access to any other piece of equipment. Make absolutely sure that your holster arrangement is good before going on a dive.

Tips & Warnings

Adding a pony bottle by attaching it to the air cylinder should be viewed as more of a utility arrangement than an emergency one. A diver cannot simply take the bottle off themselves and give it to someone if it has been attached to an inaccessible location on their back. However, it is a good place to put a big pony bottle that one might use to fill multiple air bags underwater. Divers can also secure pony bottles to their cylinders with duct tape, but that obviously means that to carry it away on a dive it must be cut free with a dive knife.

Divers can also secure pony bottles to their cylinders with duct tape, but that obviously means that to carry it away on a dive it must be cut free with a dive knife.

Resources

Pony Bottle Mounts

Article Written By Edwin Thomas

Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.

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