Why sidemount?

[Paladin]

I hope you will forgive an old dinosaur for asking the purpose behind sidemount diving and how it's done. Up until a few years ago, my diving was pretty much all solo using the same equipment and skills I got way back when (in the 1960s). I have seen some photos and videos of divers using sidemount (none in real life, though) and I'm a bit curious about the technique. It looks awkward to me, just to look at the rig, but there is obviously a logical reason behind it or people wouldn't use it.

 

[skankpile]

Thats funny.. I think single tank people look inadequate.

-practice started for cavers in low overhead restrictions.. no BP plate to wedge you.
-you can see your valves, s-drills are easy for you solo guy
-streamlining
-you can easily reach your valve >when< something goes boom
-more air, redundancy
-no valve to hit the back of your head
-easy donning in the water, unless you are super manly and carry them around
-rent them anywhere and dive longer profiles
-better penetration, dropping, donning stages, monkey diving.. etc.. etc

But my #1 reason is I refuse to carry heavy doubles and craw/pull/strain up a ladder with them as my knees just will not handle it.

 

[Paladin]

Thanks for the reply.

What kind of BC is used? If I were to try it, I would probably use my horse collar (at first, just to try the system) simply because I already have it. But what is actually used?

How are the tanks mounted? What holds them in place?

 

[skankpile]

You can use a BP/wing if doing OW sidemount, or something like a DR Nomad if you want a dedicated rig.


I've got my IANTD sidemount cert and took that path. Lamar Hires has great youtube videos on much of the rigging referencing his dedicated systems that are good viewing. You can learn it on your own, but its always better to get somebody who can mentor you. There are plenty of other sidemount systems but I trust Lamar's as he's been doing it in caves for a decade now and still here to talk about it.

 

[Paladin]

Thanks. I'll check out the videos.

 

[CamG]

Greetings Paladin I started side mounting with the logic it was a tool I could use if I needed it.
I have used it off boats, in caves, and at the quarry.
There are strengths and weaknesses just like any other technique and it seems to come down to preference.
It has taken on a new bonus for me as of late as it offers a little less physical stress transporting tanks to and from the dive site.

I have three rigs I use, two Diver Rite Transpacs with bungeed REC wings, Nomad butt plates & cloths line bungees.
I also have a Razor clone that I use to play and see what it will do.
Mostly on the the Razor I dive wet and use light AL 80's to burn the remainder gas before getting them filled again.

I have not really dove any serious restrictions that require SM only but I can see where SM is the way to get some places.
I have not let my BM skills go awry that would be foolish as there are times BM is better when you need to take a lot of gas.
I would get railed for that comment because you can carry it just as easy in SM but it is just easier for me once again individual preference.

I Love SM nothing akward about it really once you try SM it gets in your blood!
Good luck on your journey best advice I could give is to research rigs, purchase one, take a SM class with a SM instructor who dives it!

CamG Keep Diving....Keep Training....Keep Learning!

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

A properly rigged sidemount system puts your center of gravity essentially in your sternum ... your tanks feel like they're not even there. It gives you independent redundancy ... which is ideal for solo diving.

About the only drawback is getting into and out of the tanks ... which is not a big deal if you're shore diving, but can be if you're diving off a pitching boat ... or a small one. For the latter I have found it easier to just drop the tanks over the side on a lanyard, backroll in without them, and put them on once in the water. If you're gonna do this ... considering that you're wearing your weights when you backroll in ... make sure you've got some air in your BCD before you go ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I'll accept the invitation to beat on Cam for the more gas comment.

A side mount diver could top clip two stages and then also bottom clipping two more with no major issues or inconvenience, but carrying 4 stages in back mount is much less convenient and has more drag.

 

[cascas]

What kind of BC is used? If I were to try it, I would probably use my horse collar (at first, just to try the system) simply because I already have it. But what is actually used?

A horse collar will not work because of the location of the D-rings where the tanks are clipped off. A horse collar will cover the D-rings.

 

[decompression]

A horse collar will not work because of the location of the D-rings where the tanks are clipped off. A horse collar will cover the D-rings.

Also......the majority of the weight is now lower on the body so that is where the lift should be, near the buttocks and hips (z wing, razor, Hollis 50 etc). As much as I love the horse collar......