Which wing / bcd?

[KerrenL]

Hi all!

I’m a fairly experienced diver who is going through the DM course this year.

Most of my diving is in warmer waters when I get (too many early years of cold water diving has put me off!) and I’m looking for a BCD that I can travel with but also set up for side mount.

I’m hoping to do the side mount course also this year.

Diving is a mix of liveaboard and local dive centres so can’t guarantee that everywhere I go will have side mount capability. So may have to dive single BM some times.

Appreciate the best option would likely be to buy a good SM rig and a separate BM wing then make sure before I go that the dive centres can accommodate. However some of my travel will include impromptu diving so ideally I’d like something that can do both.

I like the looks of the Hollis SMS75 but not sure whether it’s likely to be too bulky for travel.

Any thoughts / ideas would be well received.

Thanks!
K

 

[NYCrecdiver]

Hi all!

I’m a fairly experienced diver who is going through the DM course this year.

Most of my diving is in warmer waters when I get (too many early years of cold water diving has put me off!) and I’m looking for a BCD that I can travel with but also set up for side mount.

I’m hoping to do the side mount course also this year.

Diving is a mix of liveaboard and local dive centres so can’t guarantee that everywhere I go will have side mount capability. So may have to dive single BM some times.

Appreciate the best option would likely be to buy a good SM rig and a separate BM wing then make sure before I go that the dive centres can accommodate. However some of my travel will include impromptu diving so ideally I’d like something that can do both.

I like the looks of the Hollis SMS75 but not sure whether it’s likely to be too bulky for travel.

Any thoughts / ideas would be well received.

Thanks!
K

XDeep Tec. Don't think there are good SM BCDs that can also do backmount. The wings are very different in shape.

 

[rongoodman]

That seems like a bad idea. Chose one or the other for the diving you'll be doing.

 

[grantctobin]

There isn’t an option that is respectable for both, particularly when it comes to warm water Ali80 diving. Fool’s errand I’m afraid.

Either pick one, or grab a BP/W and an additional one of these (or make your own): DECO Sidemount Bladder 22# with Hose, Inflator and Dump Valve

DECO Skeleton Harness 1

The Skeleton Sidemount Harness I is the ultimate in minimalistic design. Assembled and ready for custom fit... just add a wing Complete Harness Includes Thoracic Plate 1ea. Lumbar Plate 1ea. Standard Keeper 3ea. 4 Inch D-ring 5ea. 2 Serrated Keeper Tail Double D 1ea. Wing Lock w/ 3/16 inch...

www.diveequipmentco.com

 

[Valerii Vakshul]

Take a divemaster course and a lot will become clear to you.

 

[KerrenL]

Thanks all. From these and some other research feels like I’m barking up the wrong tree. Think I’ll get a BCD / wing that can do single/twin BM then look separately at SM harnesses. Also, may put off my SM adventures until post DM, lots of conflicting messages on the benefits for recreational diving without tight cave restrictions

 

[grantmac]

Or just dive single tank SM when you want. Works great with AL80s.

 

[Rilelen]

You really need two different setups for sidemount and backmount; I've dived some of the hybrid wings and they are.....not fun. Most of the SM wings are pretty packable - I have a Nomad Ray right now and it would be very easy to pack it down and slip it in a suitcase along with my recreational BC (or BP/W).

Why do you need the single-tank backmount option? Anyplace that has AL80s available can be dived sidemount; the SM valves are nice-to-have but not strictly necessary - you can totally dive two standard recreational AL80s with regular valves if you get a little creative with your bungees. And, most tanks these days have convertible pro valves if DIN's an issue...

 

[KerrenL]

You really need two different setups for sidemount and backmount; I've dived some of the hybrid wings and they are.....not fun. Most of the SM wings are pretty packable - I have a Nomad Ray right now and it would be very easy to pack it down and slip it in a suitcase along with my recreational BC (or BP/W).

Why do you need the single-tank backmount option? Anyplace that has AL80s available can be dived sidemount; the SM valves are nice-to-have but not strictly necessary - you can totally dive two standard recreational AL80s with regular valves if you get a little creative with your bungees. And, most tanks these days have convertible pro valves if DIN's an issue...

The single BM is for those slightly less techy dive centres round the world where I’m out with a group of mixed experience divers doing 10-15m /45minute dives.

But point taken two rigs it is!

 

[Wibble]

As others have said, there's no off-the-shelf dual purpose system.

If you're doing the DiveMaster course, you'd probably have to dive in their poodle jackets like all their clients in rental kit. Would imagine they'd get upset if you're using a tech-style backplate + wing with longhose, necklace, etc.

Sidemount diving is very different from the classic recreational single diving. For one thing you have proper redundancy, which is why it's used in overhead environments. Sidemount is pretty easy but is an endless faff to get correctly configured. Once adjusted, it's wonderful. You don't need a sidemount course, more like a sidemount mentor who can configure your kit correctly and show you the quick way to kit up.

For single tank warm-water backmount I use an aluminum backplate + single piece harness + single cylinder wing (Halcyon Eclipse) + single tank adapter + weight pockets + longhose and necklace regs. This is very lightweight and convenient to travel with.

For sidemount I have an Xdeep Stealth with a pair of dedicated Mk25 first stage regulators. This works really well for shore dives, overhead cave/mine dives, etc.

For deep and wreck dives from a boat, I use a rebreather with all the associated bailout cylinders.

The point is you use different types of kit for different types of diving.