Sidemount ?

[NorthWoodsDiver]

a long while back, before I knew anything about sidemount, I picked up the butplate thinking it would streamline stage bottles while using doubles. long story short I now know the true reason behind sidemount systems and for quite some time I have been interested in trying them out. I dont however want to buy the nomad until I know whats its really about and since I have the components I assembled everything for use on a backplate.

relax I have no intention of going overhead with a bp and sidemount tanks, this will only be for some openwater/pool trials. I have the tanks, hardware, butplates, and everything but somehow I just cant get my brain around the idea of having the BC between me and the plate.

Everyone who talks about using sidemount with a plate says put the wing under the plate. thats so uncomfortable so I ask this.

Could I just make a second plate to sandwhich my wing between the primary plate and an outer plate. I work at a welding shop and have access to anything I would need and it seems like a logical idea but I thought maybe there was something I am overlooking.

The other question I have is about steel 72's, someone offered me a great deal on a pair of steel lp 72's and I thought hey those could work for dedicated sidemount tanks although a bit small, with my air consumption they should be ample for open water or shallow stuff.

Any reason why a pair of 72's would be bad for sidemount tanks, right now all I own are al80's (I know I know) but they are cheap and in abundance.

thanks

 

[Meng_Tze]

There is no specific set of rules, applications to sidemount. If you would ask 10 sidemount divers to show their rigs, you will see 10 different ones. Do what you feel you need to do. There are some base platforms you can start from (Armadillo, Nomad), but all side mount divers adapt and change their rigs to where they feel most comfortable and where it delivers the benefits.

When you are done and have something put together, pls do share some pics.

 

[karstdvr]

Everyone who talks about using sidemount with a plate says put the wing under the plate. thats so uncomfortable so I ask this.

Who?

In the infacy of sidemounting the "moles" found that using a back plate was a bad idea since it took away from the flexibility needed for tight passages. I would have to agree because it would be hard to contort myself to the shape of the passage with something rigid,and possible key hole me. There is a difference between sidemounting and wearing tanks on your side,and using a back plate would be like carrying two stages.

72s make great sidemount tanks,the only draw back is they don't carry a lot of gas.

 

[Hoosier]

Currently, I am using SM at OW.

First of all, I found that 72cfs is much better than AL80s for a cold water diving (Dry and heavy undergarment). I had to add a lot of extra weight with AL80s.


As for DIY work, if you can access to a welding job, you can make the butt plate and simply add it to your ordinary plate. Actually, it can be the best option due to a customized size. I still might keep the picture of DIY job.

As someone mentioned, there is no solid rule for SM rig.

The stock Nomad doesn't come with the plate, but you can add the plate later.

Everyone who talks about using sidemount with a plate says put the wing under the plate. thats so uncomfortable so I ask this. thanks

I don't get what you said because if you put the wing first, there is no space you can route the waist belt. Wing is wider and longer than the plate. In the same reason, the plate should be inside when you put the plate to a stock Nomad.

Just my 2 bar.