Deploying long hose in sidemount

[Mike Edmonston]

Hi all,

This post is mostly for "soggy" who asked me to film and time a deployment of the long hose in a sidemount rig.

The total deployment time from the OOA signal to the reg in the victim's hand is 2.6 seconds. I don't believe that it's any faster or slower than the deployment on a doubles rig.

Which brings me back to my original conclusion, We (yes you too Soggy), can have our long hose deployed LONG BEFORE the OOA diver can fin over to us for the reg.

Unclipping the reg took no more time than a regular deployment, as I always keep my hands up on my chest when sidemounting.

BTW soggy, I'll post pics of the hose routings for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31HOQOPcelg

Cheers

Mike

 

[Soggy]

I appreciate you putting that up.

I know some people are going to say that I won't be satisfied by anything, but....

The first thing I noticed is that when the diver gave the OOA signal, you already had your hand on the hose and were ready to deploy it, which obviously wouldn't present a problem. The problem is finding the regulator when it isn't in your mouth.

What I was interested in seeing is how long it took from OOA signal to then go and find the reg and deploy it. Now add a decompression bottle to your rig and give me the right regulator (note, I have no idea how sidemounters store deco bottles in open water, so this may or may not be an issue).

 

[Mike Edmonston]

I appreciate you putting that up.

I know some people are going to say that I won't be satisfied by anything, but....

The first thing I noticed is that when the diver gave the OOA signal, you already had your hand on the hose and were ready to deploy it, which obviously wouldn't present a problem. The problem is finding the regulator when it isn't in your mouth.

What I was interested in seeing is how long it took from OOA signal to then go and find the reg and deploy it. Now add a decompression bottle to your rig and give me the right regulator (note, I have no idea how sidemounters store deco bottles in open water, so this may or may not be an issue).

As far as my hands go, I generally have them right there on my upper chest. Figuring that I could have them somewhere else (Under me, to the side etc...) I would assume add another 1 to 1.5 seconds to the drill. Stage/deco bottles would not even come into play as they rest much lower and further back on sidemount (Which is only used in open water). If I'm in a cave, I'll drop my deco bottle at the door .

All in all I will estimate 4 seconds for an OOA situation, in which my hands are not in their "normal" position. It's still plenty fast. As far as the right hose, it's short. so I would not donate it. I would keep it in my mouth and deploy my long (left hose). If I'm on the long hose, I'll just give you that 1 then switch to my right hose. Times, skills, and drills are not much different than backmount IMO.

Cheers

Mike

 

[Meng_Tze]

Mike,
Nice rig! I am looking to go side mount too soon. What do you have?

But can you do us a favor and do this drill without knowing it is coming..... just fin around, la-di-la-di-dah. Here comes Comrade diver from behind and gives the OOG signal.

Alternatively, do it in a cave (if possible) and let's compare.

Mark: I am not knocking this, I find it highly interesting and want to see more of it. Without having my own rig, we depend on your skills.

Thanks in advance

 

[Mike Edmonston]

Mike,
Nice rig! I am looking to go side mount too soon. What do you have?

But can you do us a favor and do this drill without knowing it is coming..... just fin around, la-di-la-di-dah. Here comes Comrade diver from behind and gives the OOG signal.

Alternatively, do it in a cave (if possible) and let's compare.

Mark: I am not knocking this, I find it highly interesting and want to see more of it. Without having my own rig, we depend on your skills.

Thanks in advance

Hey Meng,

I am diving a NOMAD rig, if you want to meet me at ginnie, I will let you use it in the cavern. I only ask that if you like it, please buy it from me. (I'm a Dive Rite dealer) I'll also give you a quick sidemount course, but YOU MUST GET TRAINING from an Qualified sidemount instructor before you go into a cave.

I am 6'4" about 265. Not fat, just big boned . My rig is XXL, but unless you're 5'5", it will fit you OK, specially if you have a drysuit.



Let me know bud.

Cheers.

Mike

BTW who's Mark?

 

[JimC]

YOU MUST GET TRAINING from an IANTD sidemount

Say what?

(This aught a be good)

 

[Mike Edmonston]

Say what?

(This aught a be good)

I didn't mean only IANTD, there are others. He could hook up with a NSS-CDS instructor or other qualified sidemount instructor. I wasn't being specific to agency, just that training is important.

You're just trying to start trouble

I'll edit the original post:shakehead

Cheers

Mike

 

[do it easy]

How long is the long hose? Is there more slack to deploy? If you had to pass through a restriction, is there more hose or do you just pass the bottle? (I know nothing about sidemount except there are no bands and no isolator )

Edit: thanks for posting the video...

 

[amascuba]

I'm not a cave diver, side-mounter, or anything that resembles any knowledge in this subject so this may sound stupid, but..... Why not just donate the reg that you are breathing and then pass off the tank to the oog user?

 

[Mike Edmonston]

I'm not a cave diver, side-mounter, or anything that resembles any knowledge in this subject so this may sound stupid, but..... Why not just donate the reg that you are breathing and then pass off the tank to the oog user?

That is a very real option with another sidemount diver. We can swap out tanks, instead of sharing air through restrictions. Although it is very difficult to go OOA on 2 separate independant systems. The airshare / swap would happen towards the end of the dive when he breathed down his "good" tank. Gas management is paramount. The reg that I was breathing on was 18" long. too short to donate. that's why I put a 7' hose on my left tank. But that's only when I dive with backmount divers. If I'm with sidemounters only, I'll generally run only short hoses and do a tank swap. Also if I donate my tank and don't get 1 back, I'll be severely lopsided and would be swimming at 90 degrees for a while

BTW your question was NOWHERE NEAR stupid!

Cheers

Mike