ajduplessis
Contributor
Learn to dive backmount and sidemount your stages.....
After that everything else is a breeze.
After that everything else is a breeze.
Learn Doubles or Sidemount first?
- Thread starter jtsfour
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No I don't think so.
No I don't think so.
Good idea to learn both. This is a hobby and learning multiple configurations is part of the fun.
In the foreseeable future all of your dives will work SM or BM and the kind of diving you do will not force you into one or the other config. For most people the reason to pick SM today is not squeezing into tight holes but having the complete breathing apparatus in sight, having a truly independent redundant gas source, being able to do a quick bubble check by yourself anytime, less weight to carry on land at once, and so on.
The drawback I see is when you're the one and only sidemounter in a group of backmounters. For example they have to wait for you donning your gear in a zodiac before a wreck dive. It's a little easier if you find a group of buddies in a similar config, although I wouldn't say it's critical and I've had pleasant wreck trips as a single sidemounter on a boat full of DIR backmounters.
One other advantage of manifolded BM doubles is that if you have a first or second stage reg failure, you still have easy access to all of your gas. I have heard that there is some kind of SM manifold, but I don’t think that they are commonly used.
If you have a reg failure in SM, I suppose you could move your working reg to the other tank and service it after the dive, but if you had no other source of breathing gas that might be a tough switch.
If you have a reg failure in SM, I suppose you could move your working reg to the other tank and service it after the dive, but if you had no other source of breathing gas that might be a tough switch.
aquacat8
Contributor
Can I ask a dumb question: if you have a first stage failure diving doubles, how do you know which side to shut off? Can you hear it? Do you use a mirror? Sorry, not really tec savvy here…But interested.
AJ
Contributor
You can hear it and have teammates for help.
I dive SM and BM. SM is more fuss to get in and under water, but under water I find it easier to dive. BM can be more trouble on land because of weight issues, but is easier to configure and handle. Both have advantages and disadvantages. If you can dive one, you can dive the other.
I dive SM and BM. SM is more fuss to get in and under water, but under water I find it easier to dive. BM can be more trouble on land because of weight issues, but is easier to configure and handle. Both have advantages and disadvantages. If you can dive one, you can dive the other.
Caveeagle
Contributor
Most common first stage failure will be first noticed when your 2nd stage starts to bubble excessively, and free-flow. ..caused by failing hp seat.
Last two times I have had this happen: once in BM, I noticed a very slight free flow just when I was in head-down position. Slight bubbling, even when not exhaling.
Once in SM, reg clipped off to shoulder DRimg started to free-flow. I could hear the noise from the bubbles.
aquacat8
Contributor
Interesting, thanks. Pretty sure if I move to tech SM will be my only choice, due to dry land weight issues.
MichaelMc
Working toward Cenotes
I just went side, but with tiny tanks, for redundancy on easy shore dives. I think tiny tanks make sense as a starting point, if you can afford them being spares or light dive duty later. Factors I've found:
+ My spine moves underwater, I can look about easier than BP/W single!!
+ If there are two tanks, I can dive with redundancy, if house/boat rules allow!
+ Single LP50s are a breeze to move about.
+ A rec boat *might* be more accommodating of sidemount with at least one of them small than of doubles.
* I always get to explain to bystanders, with my minimal experience and while fully rigged up.
- Fill cost: No shop has said 'those are like a 100, we'll just charge one fill'
- The shoulder area is prime space for managing valves. Extra gear clutter is best moved elsewhere.
- When I assist with classes, I'll need to be in singles, or tiny doubles, for similarity.
+ My spine moves underwater, I can look about easier than BP/W single!!
+ If there are two tanks, I can dive with redundancy, if house/boat rules allow!
+ Single LP50s are a breeze to move about.
+ A rec boat *might* be more accommodating of sidemount with at least one of them small than of doubles.
* I always get to explain to bystanders, with my minimal experience and while fully rigged up.
- Fill cost: No shop has said 'those are like a 100, we'll just charge one fill'
- The shoulder area is prime space for managing valves. Extra gear clutter is best moved elsewhere.
- When I assist with classes, I'll need to be in singles, or tiny doubles, for similarity.
ajduplessis
Contributor
You will definitely hear it, that I know. Whether you will immediately know which side I can’t say. Those who have simulated failures say it very obvious. Wont know before trying yourselve. In real life the situation and stress might also have an impact on your ability to locate the side quickly.
I have always wondered about this, think its time to make a note and go do it on the next dive.
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