Question Giant stride entry in Sidemount

[jstotz]

Do any of the training agencies have an official stance on giant stride entry in sidemount? (Not recommended, not mentioned, verboten, possible but complicated?)

I did the course work through SSI over a year ago and I don't recall whether it was mentioned.

Has anybody giant strode repeatedly in sidemount without knocking their teeth out or experiencing other issues?

If so with aluminums or steels?

 

[FF / EMT]

Giant stride w/ deco/stage bottles, still have all but my wisdom teeth…

 

[ps444mike]

ive done it.. no prob.. lp 50's (steel) might be tricky getting thru the gate .. depends on boat..

 

[Mobulai]

without knocking their teeth

Sensing there’s a story behind the teeth.. do tell

Do you mean striding while being kitted up as you would be in water?

I did it twice only (not off a boat but a cliff), not 3rd/4th tanks yet (at that point I assume I’ll need a sling/leash) — but instead of having the tanks on bungee just had one (right) on shoulder D ring and other in hand; then cleaned/hooked up by tanks once inside

dont have your short hose around your neck jumping in, but outside— maybe that’s what you meant by the teeth

 

[Rollin Bonz]

Never had any problems.

Always place my right hand on my reg and mask and left arm elbow to hand horizontal below my right arm and lean slightly forward.

I do have snap bolts on the tank necks in addition to the bungees.

 

[jstotz]

Sensing there’s a story behind the teeth.. do tell

Do you mean striding while being kitted up as you would be in water?

I did it twice only (not off a boat but a cliff), not 3rd/4th tanks yet (at that point I assume I’ll need a sling/leash) — but instead of having the tanks on bungee just had one (right) on shoulder D ring and other in hand; then cleaned/hooked up by tanks once inside

dont have your short hose around your neck jumping in, but outside— maybe that’s what you meant by the teeth

Yes I was referring to giant striding with cylinders already on.

Ha, No my teeth are just fine, knock on wood. I think I've done it once about 6 in down into a pool without much issue but then thought better of it and that maybe there was an important reason that I wasn't taught to giant stride in sidemount.

I was worried that there might be a possibility that the tanks have enough free play that they can smack somebody in the jaw if they're not careful upon impact with the water, or that an unintentional heading movement could bring the jaw into the valves.

When out of the water the bungies don't hold the tanks nearly as securely to the outside So I still have some doubts and trepidation about this.

 

[inquis]

When out of the water the bungies don't hold the tanks nearly as securely

Bungee once in the water. Until then, use a double-ender and a short loop of paracord around each valve.

 

[MSargeant]

I've sent it off of hard boats plenty of times with my tins attached and hoses routed.

Keep the valve under your elbows and use your hands to secure your second stage(s) and mask, doddle.

 

[grantmac]

Elbows on valves and send it.

 

[LFMarm]

Best thing is to jump without tanks and donn them in the water, second best is what @inquis described with double enders. When I feel lazy, I jump in with tanks directly on bungees and never had a problem.