Is Side Mount the new DIR??? Building resentment towards us as a group...

[kelemvor]

When I got on the boat for last year's Spree4All, the first couple of comments were "Where's your sidemount?"

Huh? Isn't Frank one of the more vocal opponents of sidemount? A few searches on scubaboard will show that to be the case.

I do both sidemount doubles and backmount singles, but I wouldn't dare bring a sidemount rig onto that boat. I've never had a problem on other S.E. Florida boats, though. Of course, that's when I was getting accustomed to sidemount and needed the practice. Now that I feel like I've got everything dialed in and comfortable, I only sidemount when a dive plan calls for doubles.

Also, it's funny you mention DIR. I think sidemount is one of the main improvements that UTD brought to DIR when the GUE boys were stuck, right?

 

[Wookie]

Yes, I do teach the majority of my open water classes using sidemount. I have seen a dramatic change in the level of competence and confidence teaching always neutral and utilizing a long hose. I am not sure as to why that is with any certainty but hey I am going to keep going with it cause its working great for me. I completely agree with you that students should be exposed to what they will face in the "real" world. So to that effect, whenever I teach an OW class in sidemount, I make a point of it to demonstrate to my students the "traditional" method to scuba diving as well. That being said, I find it quite interesting that since my students are learning SM from the start they kinda turn their noses up to "traditional" diving. I make a point of it to make sure they do not go around acting better than anyone else because they think they are superior utilizing SM. Ego has no place in scuba diving, everyone should be respectful of everyone else. The only appropriate time for someone stepping in, is if there is a blatant safety concern.

What do your students do with their shiny new c-card? Do they go on pacific dive vacations, or do they stay home and beach dive? I haven't met a Caribbean liveaboard (or any liveaboard for that matter) that supplies more than one tank, so I assume your students don't travel much, or if they do, they are restricted to land based operators. I agree that it is easier and faster to trim out in sidemount rig. Are you hobbling them by showing them only the easy way to dive?

 

[Wookie]

Huh? Isn't Frank one of the more vocal opponents of sidemount? A few searches on scubaboard will show that to be the case.

I do both sidemount doubles and backmount singles, but I wouldn't dare bring a sidemount rig onto that boat. I've never had a problem on other S.E. Florida boats, though. Of course, that's when I was getting accustomed to sidemount and needed the practice. Now that I feel like I've got everything dialed in and comfortable, I only sidemount when a dive plan calls for doubles.

Also, it's funny you mention DIR. I think sidemount is one of the main improvements that UTD brought to DIR when the GUE boys were stuck, right?

Sigh. We don't allow doubles in any configuration on recreational dive trips. We don't distinguish between backmount or sidemount on trips where doubles are welcome. We don't find them necessarily an easy way to get on, off, and around on the boat, but if that's your choice, go for it.

 

[Storker]

Sorta stupid n00b question here, since I don't believe I've ever seen or heard about sidemount rigs in my neck of the woods:

Unless you're doing penetration dives with tight restrictions, what are the rational reasons for choosing sidemount over backmount? I can really understand the "Because I think it's cool and want to do it this way" reason, but it'd be interesting to hear some more rational arguments.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I haven't met a Caribbean liveaboard (or any liveaboard for that matter) that supplies more than one tank, so I assume your students don't travel much, or if they do, they are restricted to land based operators.

Actually I was able to get sidemount tanks on the Tala, in the Red Sea. In fact, there were four of us in sidemount on that trip and they supplied us all with sidemount tanks. We requested them in advance, and they even had the proper left/right valves on our tank sets. They also offered backmount doubles to those who wanted to use them. And scooters ... and helium. Wasn't cheap ... but it was worth it ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Razorista]

The most rational advantage is easy valve access (and many besides that), @Storker.

Most people do not stick with sidemount because of rational reasons, however.
"Because it feels great" is the 'main' reason most often.

 

[cool_hardware52]

I've been the target of all sorts of comments for diving doubles etc in a "Tech" configuration on public dive boats, both from the other divers and from the crews. Why should I care or spend any time concerned about what they think? I paid my money, and dived the way I wanted to (within the restrictions established for all the divers on the boat)

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Sorta stupid n00b question here, since I don't believe I've ever seen or heard about sidemount rigs in my neck of the woods:

Unless you're doing penetration dives with tight restrictions, what are the rational reasons for choosing sidemount over backmount? I can really understand the "Because I think it's cool and want to do it this way" reason, but it'd be interesting to hear some more rational arguments.

Already said my reason ... my joints restrict my range of motion, making valve manipulation behind my back difficult if not impossible. If you can't manage valves, you shouldn't be using back-mount doubles. So on dives that require doubles, sidemount is a feasible option.

Many of my students are older folks with bad backs or other wear-n-tear issues that make shore-based entry with full scuba difficult for them ... particularly in our cold-water environment which requires heavy exposure suit and lots of weight. Sidemount offers the ability to stage your weight at the shoreline and clip in while the tanks are partly or fully submerged, where they weigh next to nothing.

Some folks just love how sidemount feels underwater ... it puts your CG in your sternum, literally, making trim and maneuverability easier.

Some like the independent redundancy ... it's a nice option for solo divers, particularly. And for those of us who are into photography it gives us a nice profile for getting low to the ground on macro or close-on shots in octo or wolfie dens.

But perhaps the most legitimate reason of all ... because we want to. Why in the world should anybody have to justify their equipment choices as long as they're appropriate to the dive profile, and are being used in a proper fashion? This isn't a fashion show or a competition, after all ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[decompression]

Sorta stupid n00b question here, since I don't believe I've ever seen or heard about sidemount rigs in my neck of the woods:

Unless you're doing penetration dives with tight restrictions, what are the rational reasons for choosing sidemount over backmount? I can really understand the "Because I think it's cool and want to do it this way" reason, but it'd be interesting to hear some more rational arguments.

Sidemount is Not Just for Tech – Benefits to Recreational Divers | SDI | TDI | ERDI

 

[Storker]

perhaps the most legitimate reason of all ... because we want to.

Like I said, I see this as a valid reason. What I wanted to know if there also were (more) rational reasons, and you just gave me a few. Thanks.