Sidemount for Wreck Pen

[DeepBound]

Does anyone use sidemount for wreck penetration? How do you like it?

 

[MattRece]

I am diving a rebreather and just switched over to side mount for my bail out and stage bottles and I really like it. On one hand it seems to make me a little wider so I don't fit through some of the doors while on my stomach but if you have the straps adjusted right you should be able to unclip the bottom of the bottles and swing them out in front of you and go through the opening and then reclip them. I generally just roll on my side when I need to get through an opening.

If you look at the attached pictures you can see how the bottles hang when they are side mounted.
Matt

 

[Curt Bowen]

Does anyone use sidemount for wreck penetration? How do you like it?

I dive sidemount everywere and they are extra nice while wreck diving. I would NEVER go back to doubles.

 

[wedivebc]

I would not side mount a wreck mainly because most doorways and hatches are just wide enough for a single person to pass through. Sidemount makes the diver have a low, but wider profile. Great for bedding plane in a cave but not so good for hatches and narrow passage ways.

 

[Jimmer]

Give Matt a call at Dan's Dive shop in St. Catherines. He teaches a sidemount wreck penetration course, and dive that way himself.

 

[Curt Bowen]

I would not side mount a wreck mainly because most doorways and hatches are just wide enough for a single person to pass through. Sidemount makes the diver have a low, but wider profile. Great for bedding plane in a cave but not so good for hatches and narrow passage ways.

Obviously you have never dove sidemount on a wreck or probably in a cave. Going through hatches and doors are much easier than with doubles on. Small hatches that you cannot get into with doubles are easy with sidemount. Unclip your right cylinder off your butt plate spin it around infront of you and slide right in. Once past, spin it back and clip it back on. Narrow doors, just turn sideways just like you would in a tight cave passage that was tall but not wide..

 

[Curt Bowen]

Give Matt a call at Dan's Dive shop in St. Catherines. He teaches a sidemount wreck penetration course, and dive that way himself.

Matt is a good instructor. He joined my Yucatan cave expedition in January and did very well as an explorer. He was a little concerned about hanging on rope 80 feet above the water, but loosened up by the end of the expedition.

 

[wedivebc]

Obviously you have never dove sidemount on a wreck or probably in a cave. Going through hatches and doors are much easier than with doubles on. Small hatches that you cannot get into with doubles are easy with sidemount. Unclip your right cylinder off your butt plate spin it around infront of you and slide right in. Once past, spin it back and clip it back on. Narrow doors, just turn sideways just like you would in a tight cave passage that was tall but not wide..

Yes you are quite right, I have wanted to try it but it always seemed the width would be a problem. It will be some time before I can afford to run twin sidemount megs

 

[Jeff Toorish]

Matt is a good instructor. He joined my Yucatan cave expedition in January and did very well as an explorer. He was a little concerned about hanging on rope 80 feet above the water, but loosened up by the end of the expedition.

I think he was only concerned because he knew we were holding on to the other end of the rope!

J

 

[Jimmer]

LOL, I'll have to ask him about that rope situation the next time I see him.