So why is my LDS so excited about sidemount all of a sudden?

[Sol]

Sorry, it's probably a naive question, and with only 43 dives under my belt, I realize that I'm a newbie, but still.

I've read some discussions about trim and about staying horizontal, but is there a reason to embrace sidemount rather than conventional backmount, other than for cave diving?

The only rig I've used is the traditional jacket BCD and BP/W with single tank.

Please, enlighten me.

 

[JamesK]

Because they can make money selling t to people who already have back mount gear. Simple.

And yes, I am a sidemount diver.

 

[oly5050user]

Yup, they have a chance to sell you more gear. You would now need another regulator,short hp hose,spg, bcd.All plus the training fee. If you need to carry extra gas because of depth it is a option.If you leave the water and still have gas on the type og dives you do, then why bother?

 

[Wookie]

Someone at your LDS thinks sidemount is the latest greatest thing ever to come down the road, and instead of using it as a tool to perform certain types of dives (like BM and BPW and a flashlight is a tool) they think everyone should do it, and those who don't need the tool and don't want the tool must be stupid or stuck in the old days or just can't see the light. Don't get sucked in to the latest and greatest. If you need the tool that sidemount provides, by all means, go invest in the gear and get the training, but you don't use a hammer to drive screws, you also don't need sidemount to jump off a boat. If you need 2 tanks to jump off a boat for a recreational dive, you might try other options like getting fit to dive.

 

[JamesK]

Someone at your LDS thinks sidemount is the latest greatest thing ever to come down the road, and instead of using it as a tool to perform certain types of dives (like BM and BPW and a flashlight is a tool) they think everyone should do it, and those who don't need the tool and don't want the tool must be stupid or stuck in the old days or just can't see the light. Don't get sucked in to the latest and greatest. If you need the tool that sidemount provides, by all means, go invest in the gear and get the training, but you don't use a hammer to drive screws, you also don't need sidemount to jump off a boat. If you need 2 tanks to jump off a boat for a recreational dive, you might try other options like getting fit to dive.

C'mon now! Not all side mount is two tanks. I personally LOVE single tank side mount.

 

[Johanan]

is there a reason to embrace sidemount rather than conventional backmount, other than for cave diving?

This is what Steve Martin says:

Top 5 benefits for why we should choose sidemount!!

1. Generally most sidemount harnesses are custom fit, this adds comfort and allows correct fitting for all body shapes & sizes.
2. Having the option to put on the heavy bits (cylinders) in water first, makes scuba divingfar easier and gives you more energy for underwater swimming.
3. Being more streamlined underwater makes more dive sites accessible, as many sites have challenging conditions like currents, long swims etc…
4. For many people sidemount makes technical diving possible (no twinsets to carry)
5. Using sidemount diving just looks way cooler and much more fun!!
   
   

So when you really think about it Sidemount equipment is better than backmounted equipment in nearly every way you can imagine…​

Points 2 and 4 ring a bell for me.

 

[Wookie]

C'mon now! Not all side mount is two tanks. I personally LOVE single tank side mount.

Sorry, I wasn't thinking. Do you carry your pony on the other side?

 

[Allan C Smith]

O god. Popcorn any one?

 

[JamesK]

Sorry, I wasn't thinking. Do you carry your pony on the other side?

Lol! I hope you did not take that as me being an ass BTW.

No pony. All my rec diving is done in single tank sidemount.

 

[Wookie]

This is what Steve Martin says:

Top 5 benefits for why we should choose sidemount!!

1. Generally most sidemount harnesses are custom fit, this adds comfort and allows correct fitting for all body shapes & sizes.
2. Having the option to put on the heavy bits (cylinders) in water first, makes scuba divingfar easier and gives you more energy for underwater swimming.
3. Being more streamlined underwater makes more dive sites accessible, as many sites have challenging conditions like currents, long swims etc…
4. For many people sidemount makes technical diving possible (no twinsets to carry)
5. Using sidemount diving just looks way cooler and much more fun!!
   
   

So when you really think about it Sidemount equipment is better than backmounted equipment in nearly every way you can imagine…​

Points 2 and 4 ring a bell for me.

I think Steve Martin (whomever he is) has just pointed out everything wrong with the popularity of sidemount. All of those things (except 5) are gear solutions to skills problems.

1. I've never had problems getting a backplate and wing to fit comfortably. Granted, I've never tried a sidemount harness, so I can't speak to its comfort. All buoyancy devices take time and experience to fit properly.
2. As mentioned in your thread, it takes a tremendous amount of time to lower cylinders into the water. My boat carries 24 divers. We wouldn't have the last diver in before the first divers were coming back out. We won't handle your gear from boat to water or water to boat. If you can't jump off a boat fully kitted and get back on, you need to develop more skills....
3. If a site has currents you can't swim against backmount, do you really think sidemount will matter? It might, but I doubt it. Make it a drift dive or drink beer that day.
4. I may be all wrong, but the weight is the weight. I don't see trekkers carrying their kit on their hips with shoulder rigs, I see them with back packs on. I'm 50, and I just can't see how (on land) low and out to the sides is any easier than high and on the back.
5. I can't even justify this with a comment.

---------- Post added February 9th, 2013 at 03:30 PM ----------

Lol! I hope you did not take that as me being an ass BTW.

No pony. All my rec diving is done in single tank sidemount.

I didn't at all take you to be an ass. I would be interested to see a diver rigged with an 80 on one side and a 40 or smaller on the other.