The Journey to Decompression Procedures with Sidemount

[Tigerpaw]

In January I earned Adv Nitrox and soon afterwards I began to dive exclusively sidemount, to get ready for Decompression Procedures later this year. I am currently focusing on swapping regs, buoyancy and finning, I'd figure I had to proficient there before moving on to other tasks like staging tanks. This past weekend I had a very rude awakening. When I practice, I normally wade in waist deep, attach my tanks and off I go. This weekend I was at a quarry where I had to stage my tanks on the dock, do a giant stride and then get my tanks and hook them up. I am laughing now as it is comical and a learning experience but rest assured I was not laughing as I was struggling to attach my tanks. So the lesson learned was to practice different methods of entry and gearing up.

The dive went well and I'm awaiting video to actually see how I did. There was one fuzzy image where my tanks were beginning to become floaty and I hadn't adjusted them just yet. I understand the need to streamline and I know that SM divers are obsessed with having their tanks streamlined. My question is for DP, is there any emphasis placed on streamlining tanks or is there a slight tolerance?

 

[Mobulai]

Good on you you’re pre-practicing and pacing yourself

I had my awakening moment in similar circumstances, jumping into some minimal surge, not as chilled as slow shore entry

Do you already use a 3rd tank? My 1st couple of dives for combined AN+DP I used dummy deco tank (21 instead of 50%) to practice exactly that

In my case I dove sidemount only witg floaty AL80s, had to keep all the bungees/tieoff boltsnaps on tank bands very tight anyways (just like diving only 2 tanks)
For the main bottles I used just rope so as tight as possible without tolerances, and used a short bungee for the 3rd tank gave me the tolerance needed to help having leverage to “thread through” to the drop D; in class you’ll need to manipulate a lot not just don/doff begin/end of dive and drop the tank while managing your trim.
Your DP instructor will comment on their trim and positioning so you’ll probably also fine tune between dives
Edit: oh the one important thing about 3rd tank placement, the gas label sticker, for NoTox drills (in my opinion the most important skill to learn in DP): you need to be able to see it and “minimal” tilt-to-show to your teammate/instructor for confirmation, so tank rotation is a consideration

To answer your question, there’s emphasis on streamlining but for sure there is some tolerances

Can’t speak for steel tanks one bit

 

[divezonescuba]

There are two websites in particular that you might find useful on sidemounting. I discuss those two and two more in this video.

 

[lostsheep]

My question is for DP, is there any emphasis placed on streamlining tanks or is there a slight tolerance?

All fundamental skills should be squared away before taking DP, including streamlining of gear.

 

[grantmac]

If diving off a dock gear up sitting on the edge and roll off forward, expect to attach the 3rd tank after you're in the water.
If there is a bench or similar you can gear up then stride in holding the 3rd.

Definitely need to get better at noticing tank trim.

 

[happy-diver]

Dude get in on this

Sidemount Diving Articles | Andy Davis

My sidemount diving articles aimed to deliver advanced knowledge on equipment setup, principles, gear selection and a host of other topics.

scubatechphilippines.com

I apologise profusely for perhaps leading some away from ScubaBoard for a short period

Knowledge is Queen!

Thank you.

 

[kensuf]

Chokers, clip your cylinders in on dry land, and giant stride with them on.

If you tried to don bottles in the water while diving in a place like the gulf stream you'd be one really unhappy person.

 

[Tigerpaw]

Good on you you’re pre-practicing and pacing yourself

I had my awakening moment in similar circumstances, jumping into some minimal surge, not as chilled as slow shore entry

Do you already use a 3rd tank? My 1st couple of dives for combined AN+DP I used dummy deco tank (21 instead of 50%) to practice exactly that

Thank you so much. I haven't added a 3rd tank yet as I'm working on the basics first. I think in about 2 more weeks I'll be ready to start training with a 3rd tank.

 

[Tigerpaw]

All fundamental skills should be squared away before taking DP, including streamlining of gear.

Yes I understand and I have been working Fundamentals. My question was roughly how much tolerance is acceptable for the tanks. So if my tanks float up by let's say 2 inches and it takes me 5 min to correct it, on my own would I be penalized?

 

[Tigerpaw]

Chokers, clip your cylinders in on dry land, and giant stride with them on.

If you tried to don bottles in the water while diving in a place like the gulf stream you'd be one really unhappy person.

Excellent ideal.

However how heavy is that? Back issues is why i chose SM over BM doubles.

Do you support the tanks while taking the giant stride?