Sidemount Doubles

[FishDiver]

I have been thinking of using two 60 or 72 cf tanks with independent regs as sidemounts for solo diving. Anybody else do this? My alternative is to use a backmount single and a pony bottle, but it seems a waste to carry the pony and never use it when I can carry more gas and still have complete redundancy.

Please no responses on the joys of manifold doubles, they are not an option.

 

[redacted]

I've just started sidemounting an AL63 along with my usual back mount Al80. I was really surprised that it causes less trim disruption than a slung 13. I've only used it a couple time but so far, so good. But the 1/4 mile hike to and from the water is a bit of a challenge.

 

[ianr33]

Why sidemount? Do you have a specific need for it? You could use either back mounted independant doubles or a single on your back and sling a tank on the front. Either of these will use a pretty standard gear set up .

I am sure that sidemount works great for solo diving,just seems a lot of trouble to go to,and gear to buy,if you dont really need it.

 

[FishDiver]

Why sidemount? Do you have a specific need for it? You could use either back mounted independant doubles or a single on your back and sling a tank on the front. Either of these will use a pretty standard gear set up .

I am sure that sidemount works great for solo diving,just seems a lot of trouble to go to,and gear to buy,if you dont really need it.

Good question. I have a Stiletto which won't accommodate backmounted doubles. The wing has 35lbs lift which I felt would be enough for two steel 63s. I had planned to rig the sidemounts simply as stage tanks on my waist and chest D-rings. I will leave the tank cam bands on the rear empty. My thoughts are that I can very easily change from a single back tank to independent doubles with this setup and my trim would be better than using a rear tank and one slung tank.

How do you sling a tank in the front? That sounds like it may work too.

 

[ianr33]

Ah,we have a nomenclature issue! What you are calling a stage I call slinging a tank in front,same thing.
Sidemount is a pretty specialised,cave oriented system where the tanks are right at your side up in your armpits.
What I would do in your situation is have one tank on the back,sling/stage the other on the front.The only extra gear needed is a reg and a stage kit.Slinging an Al 80 does not cause any lack of balance/rolling,dont know about a steel tank,could conceivably be a problem.

 

[redacted]

Ah,we have a nomenclature issue! What you are calling a stage I call slinging a tank in front,same thing.
Sidemount is a pretty specialised,cave oriented system where the tanks are right at your side up in your armpits.
What I would do in your situation is have one tank on the back,sling/stage the other on the front.The only extra gear needed is a reg and a stage kit.Slinging an Al 80 does not cause any lack of balance/rolling,dont know about a steel tank,could conceivably be a problem.

Yes, that is the rig I was refering to. It is an AL 63 rigged as a stage bottle. It presented absoluitely no trim problem.

 

[FishDiver]

Thanks for the responses, guys.

I have not tried this yet, and I am surprised carrying a single stage does not throw your trim way off. I own a few AL 88 tanks. If the buoyancy characteristics of these are better then steel when used as slung tanks I will try that first.

I still need to buy a second set of regs. I wanted to see if the basic idea was sound before making the investment.