cancun mark:
one of the biggest advantages of sidemount rather than doubles is transportation out of the water. Doubles are heavy and a funny shape to carry around. Singles are easier. I am thinking of switching to sidemount myself.
I have dove nothing but sidemount now for around 2 years. I even broke all my doubles down into single sidemount cyclinders.
Reason why besides squeezing through little holes is.
In order of importance:
1. Ease of transport to the dive site
2. I can reach and fix any problem underwater, alone
3. I can always get singles in other countries or on a live aboard charter.
4. I feel sidemount cylinders are a much safer way to cave dive
5. The Armadillo harness is the most streamlined, cleanest harness with a BCD available. Why, because we designed it to be.
6. We have profected the gear configuration (hoses and regs) to be the cleanest possible to prevent snags and clutter.
But back to the main question. I feel sidemount cave diving is the way of the future for cave exploration and I have several new divers moving into the cave diving scene. They are going to be joining my team on some up-coming jungle expeditions and I feel that starting them right into sidemount will be better for them.
I dont see why they would need to learn doubles when I think sidemount is easier and safer.