Sidemount Diving, Cozumel Trip, Do You?

[rick00001967]

How bad is the roll with SM one tank, say a 100cf steel...and an Xdeep Stealth.....I imagine I will be rolling a decent amount, not super relaxed.

ya i would think a 100cf steel would be less than optimal for single tank sm. as i said earlier, i only use single sm when on vacation. warm water. allum 80. i will never go back to bm for diving like this.

 

[Andrew Dawson]

I do recall the magic of AL80s...they do seem to supply a ton of gas or at least more than expected lol However, the majority of my dives with them were early on in my diving and in warm water

Lol I'm such a wimp when it comes to water temps. Heated vest under my dry suit, 5 mil in Coz. Add a hood if I do 4 or 5 dives in a day.

Well, sounds like I better pack with layers...and plan for adjusting when I get there 4-5 dives a day would be awesome! I am hoping to find some buddies and do some shore night dives...well, I have that option right in front of the Grand Park Royal

 

[SlugLife]

ya i would think a 100cf steel would be less than optimal for single tank sm. as i said earlier, i only use single sm when on vacation. warm water. allum 80. i will never go back to bm for diving like this.

I'm still somewhat new to SM, but I'm already leaning towards abandoning BM completely. SM is a bigger learning curve, and takes time to "master" but I'm already starting to enjoy the advantages. The few downsides I think are mostly just a matter of improving relevant skills, practice, adjusting my gear, etc.

The other thing I didn't think of in regards to SM single-steel, is that it would probably lean left/right a lot more than aluminum.

Another thing I just thought of is you could put a 2-3lbs weight on your sliding d-ring (with zip-ties or some cord) on the right when diving single-tank. You then slide that d-ring until you get the right balance, likely starting towards the side, and ending towards the middle as the left-tank empties.

 

[SlugLife]

I do recall the magic of AL80s...they do seem to supply a ton of gas or at least more than expected lol However, the majority of my dives with them were early on in my diving and in warm water


Well, sounds like I better pack with layers...and plan for adjusting when I get there 4-5 dives a day would be awesome! I am hoping to find some buddies and do some shore night dives...well, I have that option right in front of the Grand Park Royal

I only own a 5mm full wetsuit, but I also have have a pair of neoprene shorts & a hooded-vest, that I can layer under my wetsuit. There are some neutrally versions from Lavacore and Henderson, which are a bit pricier (about $100 USD) and I think neutrally buoyant.

 

[Andrew Dawson]

Yeah, I love SM diving....and do not want to go back....but...I do enjoy the "ease" of BM...maybe a tolerance break from SM is in order??

The safety stats on BM are not to be taken lightly, they are a proven solution...maybe I love my cold water SM kit and long for just excellent vis...instead of our 20' of vis is AMAZING!

Anyone going to be in Coz this Aug 17-27....and near the Grand Park Royal or going out with Roberta's Dive Shack?

 

[Diving Dubai]

OK, say one does want to travel someplace with AL80s and they want to SM

I'm a bit late to this. I alwasy take my SM rig on vacation because I despise a single AL 80 BM.

I also have am X-Deep Stealth 2.0 Tech.

@rick00001967 made some very good points on the first page which I'll add too

My rig is specifically set up for travel, thus my slings are permanently fitted with cambands, rather than metal worm drive bands

Since the vast majority of my diving is from boats sometimes into choppy seas, but nearly always on to sites that have significant current, my rig is configured appropriately. I choose between the compromise that ring bungees give (regarding perfect tanks position) vs day to day usability on boats

Instead of loop bungees I have ring bungees, which means I can jump or roll with both cylinders attached. Here at home that giant stride may also be with a scooter as well.

If I need be make a direct descent because of teh current I can (and do). Sorting cylinders at the surface is a no go for the type of diving I like. If required I can also get back onto the boat with both cylinders still attached, but its just as easy in calm seas to clean up at teh stop and hand off my tanks at the surface. I prefer to have as much flexibility as possible

I've never yet had any issued from shops supplying all the tanks I want (I generally switch both cylinders even though theres plenty of gas remaining) but I do take my transfill whip in case I'm only able to change 1 and then equalise the pressure between them

Frankly I'd rather take a SM rig around the world then having the faff of travelling with a pony, but I appreciate other people have a different view

 

[Andrew Dawson]

Excellent information, @Diving Dubai I appreciate your point of view

It really hit the feelings I get about diving SM...I love the fit of the gear, the new and robust BCD...love having 2 sets of gas and the ease of how my rig "floats"...with BM, it is a giant rock on your back...with SM...what tanks?! they float on their own!

I would prefer to dive a travel version of my current CW SM rig...but the boat diving is not an easy one to manage with SM. I also do not mind...the thought...of being an everyday tourist. Nothing special...I am going with a DM guide anyway...plus...I'm not gonna go break any records...100fsw is great...and I tec dove several times past 165fsw...I do not have much desire to go past 150fsw...not much time there anyway...but...cool features are not always come by easily. Nor, do I take that depth lightly...and certainly not with a single tank. Naw, I will probably stay shallower than rec depths.

Ugh, I am still torn a bit...am sorting out my GoPro from 2008-ish gear and booties, fins, mask...maybe hood...probably rent wetsuit if I cant get mine to fit and use their BCD....BM...and set one of my 1st stages to BM...both S600s on it...retune and service as needed during inspection/rebuild. Then test them....do the same when I get back...but...I do love my regs and prefer to dive them than any rental set even if Scubapro [like mine]...

I want to dive the Stealth...but..then am forced to dive SM, I guess if I have to, I put the stealth in my hotel room and dive their BM BCD...I got time...10 days there, 8.5 if I take away the 24hrs pre-flight...and am paying for 6 days diving want to toss in some night dives but they will not allow for solo it sounds like...and back to SM vs BM when going solo lol

 

[rick00001967]

Anyone going to be in Coz this Aug 17-27....and near the Grand Park Royal or going out with Roberta's Dive Shack?

just throwin this out there.....if you are staying at the park royal, there is also Marine World across the street. Alex (owner) was doing sm diving. not sure if he has kept it up or not but it may be an opportunity for you to dive with a shop that has an owner familiar with sm and who would certainly be more tolerant and helpful than most. my experience in coz is that most no nothing about sm. just a thought.

 

[Charred]

No way you need a wetsuit in Coz in August. Water will be near 85F.

I just wear a long sleeve rash guard and a pair of board shorts. Then you need less lead, get better buoyancy, etc.

You can subtilty overheat in a wetsuit, especially in August, and this will increase your heart rate and air consumption!

 

[rick00001967]

No way you need a wetsuit in Coz in August. Water will be near 85F.

I just wear a long sleeve rash guard and a pair of board shorts. Then you need less lead, get better buoyancy, etc.

You can subtilty overheat in a wetsuit, especially in August, and this will increase your heart rate and air consumption!

everyone is different. i could not do two 1hr dives in the caribbean at anytime of year without a wet suit of some type to be comfortable. prferrably a full 3mm. while others, like you, can often dive in a speedo and tshirt. haha

we have divers here that need a wetuit in the pool because they are shivering after 20 or 30 minutes.