plate & wing / sidemount / hybrid back & sidemount - sudden BCD death

[Schwob]

So, I am wondering is there a hybrid sidmount harness that is a good, rugged, redundant air cell sidmount harness and that can also be used for backmounting at least singles, so I can keep diving for now and learn sidmount when a class is offered or when I am somewhere where one is offered? (there seems to be a "trim conflict" between the two) Or is there no such thing or is it just to much of a compromise?

Reason (inconsequential really, but there it is):

The air cell in my BCD***, died a sudden death. Luckily it did not happen while diving or I would have had a chance to see if I keep my wits and drop weight. So while I find out how to remedy that (repair or replace air cell, on warranty or not) and while I decide whether I care to trust it ever again in either case, I had some dives planned prior to that likely panning out and wonder which way to go with my next and a whole lot more reliable BCD and in a bit of a hurry so..

At this point I am either looking at:
- a plate and wing (donut style with redundant aircell and bombproof cover) and I know what I would be getting into (I "played with twins for a couple of weekends, but I would start out with a single wing for travel).
- or sidemount.
- or a sidemount hybrid of some sorts.

In reality so, even so I may be getting myself into tech diving a bit down the road, most of my diving will likely be at destination with rented AL80s. And if I really get into tech, I might (so I think) like sidemount better, although, not having tried yet, that is quite hard to say. And that's where my trouble is. Looks like I do not have a way to try or learn it locally in the next 6 weeks or so... and I don't want to spend the money on the harness and find out on my own either.
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*** just added info on the failure so the thread can hopefully remain focussed on the above questions:
The failed BCD is an Apeks Black Ice. After 84 or so dives over 8 months or so with no issues, I noticed when flushing the air cell with fresh water after a trip that it had a small hole / rip and held neither air nor water. Quick inspection of my luggage and the neoprene used to protect the aircell when packed showed no damage whatsoever to luggage or neoprene. So, I cannot say how this occurred at all. But I notice that the air cell near the bottom edge folds in a bit and usually sits there with a 180 degree fold. That might be the area that's rubbing on a dinghy tube - or not (the tank really is longer...) - during dinghy rides, but that's where the damage is.

 

[tbone1004]

the problem right now for you is that there are no good sidemount rigs that will accept singles but are designed for al80's. You can do it with the SMS75 but no dual bladder and the SMS100D is not the right rig for 80's, but the Katana is much better at sidemount than both of them. You can do it with the Nomad XT, but it's not designed for 80's. The Razor and xDeep have redundant bladders but can't mount singles.

If you are diving single AL80's, there is no NEED for a wing of any kind as long as you are in a fairly thin wetsuit, so if it fails, you are still diving a balanced rig and can finish the dive using your breath. Sidemount with a single al80 is quite comfortable and doesn't require a class imho to do it. Buy the rig, make sure it is set up right, rig the tanks properly, and just dive. There is nothing earth shattering about single tank sidemount or even twin tank sidemount as long as you get the basics right.

It sounds like you experienced a pinch flat with your bcd and that can be fixed by inflating it and spraying it with soapy solution until you find the bubbles and fixing it the same way you would patch a tube inside of a bike tire.

Regarding dual bladder wings. I am not aware of any single tank wing that is dual bladder. The closest thing I'm aware of is the Dive Rite XT Rec wing, but that is far too large for AL80 diving and really is too big for any single tank diving. The only sidemount rigs with dual bladder I'm aware of are the Nomad XT, Hollis SMS100D, and the Razor *which is oral inflate only via a hydration bladder inflator for reference*. The Nomad and SMS100 are not appropriate for AL80 diving, and the Razor is idiotically expensive for what it is and also really doesn't work all that well anymore since the wing got insanely large and now beachballs really bad.

If I were you, I see two options.
1. Commit to a backplate and wing now, pick whichever one you want, my personal preference is Deep Sea Supply, and dive it. Less than $500, gets you something you are comfortable with in terms of single tank backmount, and then at some point when you are ready, commit to a proper sidemount rig for tech diving, personal preference here being the Hollis Katana.
2. Commit to sidemount now, and just go for it. Rig recommendation doesn't change, but you only buy one rig now. Disadvantage being you won't be quite as comfortable in sidemount out of the gate, but that can be remedied fairly quickly with either a buddy with a gopro in a local body of water, or a quick trip to find a reputable sidemount instructor that can fix you up. My recommendation there being to find a buddy with a gopro, and if you aren't comfortable with that, commit to going to Florida and swing by Cave Adventurers before you buy a rig, take a sidemount class there and maybe combine it with cavern/intro cave diving if you want to whip your diving skills into shape and experience some gorgeous clear blue water.

 

[JohnnyC]

Get a backplate and a wing (I'd recommend DSS) and if you do decide to go into technical diving all you'll need to do is swap the wing.

Get a sidemount harness if you want to sidemount.

The "combo" stuff doesn't excel at either. That's the easy answer.

 

[DevonDiver]

Here's some ideas: http://scubatechphilippines.com/scuba_blog/convertible-hybrid-sidemount-systems/

 

[Schwob]

tbone: Thanks. Great, detailed reply and enough pointers for me to figure out what you are really saying after reading up a bit more and looking at the variuous models (on the web) - which I will do.
It could very well have been "a pinch flat" but there is no need for soap and bubbles, once you know where the rip is you see it very well as it's maybe 3/16" long and just "open" ... and there is a suspicious shiny spot at the same location mirror image from the vertical center axis... definitely somethign going on. Anyway, I am waiting to hear from the dealer I bought it from first before I jump to DIY ( when I do, I would need to figure out the material first before deciding on the vulcanizing compound I presume).
I much appreciate your thoughts on this: while in thin neoprene exposure suit and single tank being much less of a big deal then when heavily loaded. Likely very valid point that - putting things in perspective. I will try that when diving again in warm water on a single (letting all air out of whatever I am wearing and see how much of a struggle ascending on my own power w/o dropping weight would be - never tried... - good argument that for weighing yourself properly too...).
And sure hope I manage to swing by Florida sometime in the forseeable future and do just what you suggest or something like it building from where I am then. Just no way it can happen this year anymore... unfortunately

 

[Schwob]

Here's some ideas: Top 5 Convertible Hybrid Sidemount Systems

Andy:
That scubatechphilipines site of yours (I happened to come across it a few days ago) has quite a wealth of info for an uninitiated guy like me. Thanks. It would be fun to swing by and dive... It's a long way so...

 

[Schwob]

JohnnyC:
Fact or opinion, nothing wrong with a simple and straight forward answer from someone who knows what he is talking about. Appreciate it.

 

[runsongas]

if you're looking for something to handle single steel tanks, there really isn't a sidemount harness for that.

you can mount a single aluminum tank on a sidemount system and dive that reasonably though.

if the black ice is a total loss, take it as an opportunity to see if you can get a steel plate and wtx d30/40 (if diving a single steel tank) or the wsx sidemount (for aluminum tanks or double steels) from the LDS as a replacement.

 

[Coztick]

I have the UTD Alpha/Delta wing and harness. Other than switching to loop bunggees, I am completely satisfied with its performance. The wing is somewhat tuneable so not just a compromise between bm and sm.
It's a modified doughnut with 37# of lift and a low profile.
Also comes in a PSD version practically indestructible. For bm it accepts a STA.
(Haven't had a need to try it but I don't see an issue)
Good luck with the route you choose!

 

[dleewo]

You can do it with the Nomad XT, but it's not designed for 80's.

I have a Nomad XT with dual bladders and I dive it both sidemount and backmount. I had to get the cam straps separately for backmounting, but it seems to work just fine for AL80s.