My Introduction to Sidemount Diving, as well as Training and Equipment Questions

[OctoHelm]

Hello Scubaboard!

I hope this finds you safe. Before I get into things, I would just like to thank the medical professionals and firefighters putting their lives on the line for us daily. Their selfless service to benefit us all is admirable, and we all ought to thank them for their service.

BLUF: I am a 16 year old AOW diver with 35 dives. I am wondering what my training progression should be going into sidemount diving, and I am wondering if I am thinking about it all in the right way.

I have been reading the forums on sidemount here, and from what I have heard, it seems like the next logical choice for me. I have 35 dives under my belt, and was planning to head to Fiji to get another 20 or so dives in. I hope to head to Monterey to get some dives in, but before I do that, I want to get my Drysuit cert, because I am "thermally challenged" as my DI put it.

I called my LDS and they said that they could get me in a class. I think that I will do that first, before I get going on my sidemount course. I was planning on heading down to Monterey once I got my drysuit cert to get some normal rec backmount dives in first, just so I can get back into the swing of things. Because I have not dived since June of 2019, does anyone here think that I should rent a BC and reg system and hit the pool to get back into diving in a controlled environment?

As things stand right now, I could do the eLearning from SDI/TDI for their sidemount course. Being 16, all I need it parental consent. My parents are for me doing anything that betters myself, and I think this counts. Looking at their website, I see nothing about prerequisites. I took my PADI EANx class, but have not had time to do my two dives, nor the practical application session. Do you think it would be wise to finish my nitrox cert before starting anything else?

I have heard about sidemounting.com, however from the threads that I have read, the consensus seems to be to wait to start the online classes until I have my sidemount cert. This is due in part to to prevent me from having any preconceived notions about how the class should be taught.

Assuming that I finish my EANx, get my drysuit cert, would it be smart to get my own sidemount gear before my course, or should I wait until after to see what my instructor/LDS uses?

If I do go ahead and finish my EANx, get the PADI drysuit cert and then complete and pass my sidemount course, I hope to go and take the TDI Intro to Tech. I want to take the ITT so I can see if tech diving is right for me.

Knowing who I am, I think that I will like it, but I don't know until I try. After the ITT, and considering that I like tech diving, I hope to take the Advanced Nitrox course and then Decompression Prodedures after. I am only 16, so I have around a year and a half before I can take my AN/DP courses. I called two dive centers in the Bay Area, and none of them have any TDI instrutors. Is it bad to go directly thorugh TDI to find an instructor who is not affiliated with a dive shop?

Knowing what I do, I put together a list of diving equipment that I would need. I added up all of the prices, and then divided it by the cost for a bare bones rental system. The break even point for the cheapest rental system that I could safely dive in Monterey comes to $157, but my ideal system with a steel 100 that is clean for use with EANx would add $18, for a total of $175. I put together a list of everything that I (think) I would need to dive sidemount, and it came out to $4,772.80. If we take the $4,772.80 and divide it by the cheaper rental set that costs $157, the break even point would come after 30.4 dives, and let's round up to 31. The break even point would be after 31 dives, but that cost is not really comparable because we are comparing a single cylinder backmount system with BC compared to a sidemount setup. It is still useful to know though.

Also, I have heard about Doing It Right in diving. However, because there really is no sort of standardization in the sidemount diving world, there does not seem to be a DIR approach. DIR in diving seems like a good idea, as standardization is helpful in emergencies and can reduce task loading. I wonder what the DIR approach to sidemount would be.

Nb: I understand that this list is most likely very far from an optimal sidemount system. If you have any modifications that you would make, please let me know.

This is my list of equipment that I ran on the Rent vs. Buy analysis:

Faber Hot Dip Galvanized Cylinders, 2x HP100s - $699.9
From what I have seen, the hot dip galvanized tanks seem to hold up the best, and I want maximum durability, especialy when I am on a dive and my life depends on their function.

XTX50 Sidemount Set $1,589.00
I have heard good things about Apeks. I do realise that they are priced a bit too much for what they are though. I have looked at DeepSix, but have not heard of them before I joined the boards. I also want to support my LDS, as they have been very helpful to me.

Seaskin Drysuit $1,400
Seaskin suits seem like they are nicely made kit at a pretty great price.

OMS Sidemount Tech Adapter $99
I have heard good things about OMS from people on the board, and I like how the sidemount tech adapter allows me to have a BP/W if I take the adapter off. That modularity seems to be exclusive to OMS, and it is somethng that is appealing to me, considering the normal caveat from sidemount BC's is how you can only use them for sidemount.

OMS Wing 60Lbs Lift $319.95
The wing is compadible with the BP/W and harness, but also works with the sidemount adapter.

OMS Stainless Steel Back Plate w/Comfort Harness System III $405
This would be my BP/W that would be the base for my whole setup.

Atomic Venom ARC $259.95
I also looked at the Cressi Zeus, but to get a price, I would need to call a Cressi Atelier dealer to get a price.
Total cost: $4,772.8

Please let me know if anything here should be edited for accuracy or if anything needs attention.

Thank you all so much. Your expertise and experience is immeasurable and incredibly helpful for me.

Thank you again, and please stay safe!

Respectfully,

OctoHelm

 

[Manatee Diver]

Also, I have heard about Doing It Right in diving. However, because there really is no sort of standardization in the sidemount diving world, there does not seem to be a DIR approach. DIR in diving seems like a good idea, as standardization is helpful in emergencies and can reduce task loading. I wonder what the DIR approach to sidemount would be.

I'm not DIR, but my understanding is that under GUE sidemount is an advanced cave technique used when needed. And the teams standardize their setup together.

Some other things, the TDI/SDI sidemount elearning is very very basic, you aren't really going to learn much from it on how to sidemount, that is done in the water. The author was one of my instructors for tech sidemount and when I mentioned he said something to the effect of that there are so many schools for sidemount he couldn't even remotely do the in water part justice so he didn't bother.

Vet you sidemount instructors very very carefully, particularly if your goal is tech. What is considered acceptable in openwater is clownshoes when you have an overhead.

Equipment wise, I've never seem that OMS stuff so I can't comment on it. Apeks is good stuff. And I use a cheap $30 DGX.

 

[lermontov]

Do you have any long term goals as to which direction you think you might want to head? cave? wreck? reef? trimix? if you are fortunate enough to have that part sorted then your path will be a bit easier to map. You mentioned doing some more dives first before getting geared up for sidemount - thats a great idea get back in the water and get comfortable -personally id jump into sidemount as soon as you can afford it. what gear you buy make sure its compatible with your long term plan so you dont have to rebuy stuff later

when you select an instructor make sure they are sidemount divers not back mount divers who sidemount when a customer turns up

 

[MichaelMc]

What are your long term plans? Look at pretty fish, cave, deep? Do you plan to shore dive or boat dive? Your list is a lot to bite off and plan.

# Sidemount Instructor in Bay Area
Lexi at Bamboo Reef in SF is the only sidemount instructor I know in the Bay area. I've done a workshop with her. She seemed good. She apparently does exploration cave dives in Mexico with Under The Jungle, which is a good set of credentials. Look on Bamboo Reef's site and calender for sidemount stuff. Booking powered by FareHarbor

# Sidemount book
I agree the manual is likely not the most help. I'm not sure I agree about not viewing sidemount.com videos first. I think they can get you a rough idea, as long as you then take what your instructor says while in their class.

# TDI
1) I believe Lexi is SDI/TDI. 2) TDI site will let you search for instructors, 3) the others I know of are at Pinnacles Dive center, Keep Diving, which is a Padi center but also teaches tech under TDI and Padi, and AnyWater Sports has a TDI instructor Phil Sammet, DIVE TRAINING.

EAN: Its a simple class. Finish it when you have a chance. No need to delay dry or sidemount for it.

On pool: It depends on you. The breakwater on a calm day is not very different than a pool, IF you stay shallow and out of the kelp.

# Drysuit
A dry suit is a big chunk of change. But cheaper than a wetsuit you later never use if you go dry.

# Sidemount Gear
I would recommend smaller tanks. Are you really strong? I'm a strong trim adult male and I do not want to carry 2x 100s to the water for every dive. Especially not through potential surf.
Faber LP50s are a very nice setup for sidemount shore diving. Particularly while learning.
As I understand, Lexi has 6 LP50s she uses for teaching. I think that suggests their usefulness for the Bay. They are what I dive as well. They are spray galvanized and painted; not the same as hot dipped but your tank coating is not anywhere near your highest risk factor.

I would really recommend against a does-everything rig. Rigs dedicated to sidemount do better at it than hybrid ones. I'd recommend looking at the XDeep, though the Tec might be a bit tall for you.

Any turret reg is a good choice. I'm partial to sealed diagram, I like my Deep6.

ETA: 60lb wing is almost certainly way too much. 40lb or even 30 lb. is more likely.
ETA2: You could also look at AL40s, though they are more work in the water.

 

[OctoHelm]

Do you have any long term goals as to which direction you think you might want to head? cave? wreck? reef? trimix?

Hey lermontov! I hopefully will get into helitrox and then trimix. After that, I don't really know if I want to go into cave diving or to go down the CCR path. I do want to get helitrox and trimix though after my AN/DP.

What are your long term plans? Look at pretty fish, cave, deep? Do you plan to shore dive or boat dive? Your list is a lot to bite off and plan.

# Sidemount Instructor in Bay Area
Lexi at Bamboo Reef in SF is the only sidemount instructor I know in the Bay area.

I called Bamboo Reef and they said that she was not with TDI, but that she was with SDI. That means that I can take my Sidemount course with her, but I cannot work on my tech classes with her. The Apeks set is a sidemount set. It has two first stages and two primaries with one on a short hose and one on a long hose for primary donate. Thanks for the tips/pointers!

 

[MichaelMc]

Looking at your profile it seems you have a 5mm suit hood etc?
I'd see about a sidemount try dive with Lexi. Either in a pool or at breakwater.
The temps near the surface have been a bit warm still and 5mm should give you a short dive.
More ideal would be in a pool though, just for comfort and time.
She may have a few sidemount rigs for rental for that.

Renting does add up, but renting a few times in a trial situation is likely cheaper than buying the wrong rig.

 

[OctoHelm]

I do have a 5mil suit with a hood, goves and booties. I will call Bamboo Reef tomorrow to see if I can set up a trial so to speak. I will also call the San Mateo Athletic Club to see if I can try it out there compared to Monterey.

 

[lermontov]

Any turret reg is a good choice.

turret regs for sure - check to see if the turret will swivel properly when attached to the bottle i have dive rites and although im very happy with them fro breathing the wheel that screws in to the DIN fitting is a few millimetres too big and the swivel catches it

 

[ToneNQ]

I've only got a few SM dives myself, but I'd done plenty in BM with other divers in SM using SMS75 or SMS100 or Diverite wings. It was enough for me to get a specific SM harness, so much neater and much more comfortable. The convertible rigs work but I don't think they work well, much bulkier than they need to be. You'll do a lot of diving before you really need a backplate, and you might decide to do AN/DP in SM. If SM is your next goal I'd give some thought to a SM harness like the Razor, Katana2, Blade, or another of the others. With a specialist SM harness you can single tank SM if you decide tech is not for you, or go Solo/self-reliant and carry both tanks, and no additional cost for a single tank adapter. Its a solid option if it works for you.

It's very possible to do all tech diving in SM but I feel that BM is better, ie I can much more easily access my thigh pockets and am much quicker getting into the water and ready to descend, and much easier penetrating a wreck. You don't know what you will like/dislike, and likely at your level of affluence, maybe don't go too hard at your harness and wing set up just yet. Hire or look at second hand gear for the wing and harness, see what you like. I have Hollis solo harness, Alu backplate and 45lb wing, works a charm.

The XTX50 SM regs are an excellent choice and will serve you very well in both SM and BM for the bulk of your lifetime.

Drysuit, you might have a lot more growing left to do. I filled-out a lot in my late teens and early 20s, you might too. You don't want a lot of room in your drysuit. Again I'd look at second hand, and definitely consider a 7mm semi-dry for a bit more cost than a wetsuit. Get yourself a new custom drysuit for your 21st birthday, but hold off on a major purchase on exposure gear now.

Good luck, and don't sweat the courses and sequence of them too much. Take what is available, and don't overlook a fun dive. Not everything is about training, diving itself is the goal.

 

[MichaelMc]

@OctoHelm, To clarify, I'd advise against a does-everything BC (a rig). The hybrid (does-everything) BCs reportedly do not do sidemount very well. For regulators, a turret regulator set with a 5th port is very versatile and desirable for side or backmount doubles.