Guys saw this "somewhere else" and thought it needed to be posted here..VERY GOOD INFO..it'll suprise you...be prepared......

Here is a little test conducted by Curt Bowen of Advanced Diver Magazine at Eagle's Nest cave on Feb 12th 2004 for a small article to be placed in issue 17 of Advanced Diver Magazine.

The question He wanted to answer was:

How much time would it take to empty a full aluminum 80 cuft cylinder from 3000 psi to 0 for the following situations and would depth affect the times.

1. Failed Burst Disk
2. Failed HP Hose
3. Failed LP Hose
4. Free Flow high performance regulator 2nd stage.

He completed the test on the surface (0 feet) with 4 aluminum 80’s and a Zeagle D50 regulator.

Here are the results

1. Failed Burst Disk = 72 seconds
2. Failed HP Hose = 22 minutes (yes 22 minutes..teeny weeny orafice)
3. Failed LP Hose = 83 seconds
4. Free Flow High Performance Regulator = 255 seconds


He then repeated the test at 4 atm’s / 99ft

1. Failed Burst Disk = Same within a second or 2
2. Failed HP Hose = Same within a minute
3. Failed LP Hose = Same within a second or 2
4. Free Flow High Performance Regulator = 155 seconds

He then repeated the test at 8 atm’s / 231ft

1. Failed Burst Disk = Same within a second or 2
2. Failed HP Hose = did not complete due to time restraints but would assume it would be with a minute difference
3. Failed LP Hose = Same within a second or 2
4. Free Flow High Performance Regulator = 91 seconds

The results show the small amounts of time a diver would have to solve a major equipment failure while at deeper depths.

I had a hp line blow a few weeks ago at 65' w/ 1500 psi in a LP120..Gunny just happened to be close enough to hear it blow and swam over and tried to fix what was freeflowing then surfaced w/ me..We went up slow did a safty stop and I still had 300 psi at the surface...Glad Gunny was around for the peace of mind but I had a pony just in case.

Get a Pony

It's next on my list..I can use my octo from my 1st stage. I replaced it w/ the Octo Z recently.
The #'s suprised me even thought most of our stuff up here is under 45' it's still a good safety precaution..

Hope those test numbers serve to remind everyone why diving with a pony is the only true "back-up". Keep in mind, that pony rig ain't there to extend your bottom time...it's one of those pieces of gear I carry on EVERY dive and hope I never use it. Don't make the mistake of picking and choosing when you "need it". EVERY DIVE means EVERY DIVE.

If anything fails underwater, first thing you should do is surface no matter what happens. I dont care if you got a world record Hog on the end of your new Custom Wong, surface immedatily.

If anything fails underwater, first thing you should do is surface no matter what happens. I dont care if you got a world record Hog on the end of your new Custom Wong, surface immedatily.

30' per minute is the std safe ascent rate. At 120', thats 4 minutes.

I don't like to use the words "surface" with words like "immediately" or "fast" and so-on. Embolisms and bends happen that way.

agreed..tiny bubbles first..minimum...Yep a pony is the way to go......and guess what..that last sip @ 30' the oh shit I'm outta air!...??? NO WAY your gonna hold your breath for a minute...PONY UP!

agreed..tiny bubbles first..minimum...Yep a pony is the way to go......and guess what..that last sip @ 30' the oh shit I'm outta air!...??? NO WAY your gonna hold your breath for a minute...PONY UP!

You are not supposed to hold your breath while scuba diving.

this I know ..but it's gonna be difficult to exhale what ya dont got..

as you surface the little bit of air in your lungs will expand. You will be able to continue breathing out. But ofcourse you have to overcome the mental need to inhale;)

30' per minute is the std safe ascent rate. At 120', thats 4 minutes.

I don't like to use the words "surface" with words like "immediately" or "fast" and so-on. Embolisms and bends happen that way.

Word, I should have worded it differently. I mean start heading for the surface immediatly in a safe manner.