Sidemount and Boat Operations

[Rickk]

I dive sidemount off boats. Some boats have walk-through transoms, some have step-over transoms, some have narrow stairs or ladders with railings. I usually find a way to wear both sidemount tanks and get into the water. When getting out of the water, I usually “hand-up” or hang the right tank (and any stage bottles). As yet, I have not had to drop the left tank to manage narrow stairs or ladders with handrails.

I have heard of boat-diving sidemount divers who routinely hang tanks in the water on entry and exit. I was wondering what others do or have seen. Regards

I splash with my left tank attached. The crew hands down my right tank, and any decontanks, that I clip on and move out of the way of other divers.

If lots of surface chop I will decend before puting the tanks in position, in calm water will position tanks on the surface.