This article is intended for divers that are considering a change to side mount diving. I have written this article based on my experiences having researched and debated my options before purchasing my first side mount system.
With an abnormally large frame (6f8) a growing passion for wreck diving and a desire for additional bottom time and redundancy, side mount diving seemed to offer the following distinct benefits.
(Extract from a discussion email with a highly experienced twinset diver)
- No requirement to complete a tech course (saving of a 5day tech course). I have asked around and been told that if I dive with twins and a manifold on my back I need to have completed a tech course, but if I dive with two independent tanks they see that as diving with a pony which is fine.
- No need for a manifold (only need to ask for a second tank while travelling), this also means the size of the tank won’t matter so much while travelling as well.
- Visibility over the gear, access to manifolds etc.
- More streamlined way of diving than with twins (anything that helps me reduce my air consumption can only be a good thing).
- Ability to fit through tighter spaces. I really enjoy the confined diving but my profile is a little bigger than most.
(end of extract)
The system I purchased is a well-known “multiuse” side mount system. The attraction in this was a plan B. Having considered that I might not like side mount diving, a multiuse system offered the low cost option of changing to a twins configuration at a later date. One of those things that seemed like a great idea at the time….
After months of consideration, research and bartering I finally ordered my system. Upon order I was challenged with questions re the size of bungees and hose lengths, if only there were a way to know for sure when purchasing online, and if only I knew these things were irrelevant as they would be some of my first customisations.
With the benefit of hindsight of course I now have the following realisations / information for people considering buying a side mount system. Hopefully this allows your wallet and entry into side mount benefit from my lessons learned.
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Researched Perception |
Post Training Understanding |
Value in Hindsight |
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A butt plate is optimal / required for side mount diving. |
A butt plate is not required.
The butt plate is not an optimal place to clip the rear of your tank.
A butt plate can get in the way when preparing to dive (particularly when boat diving). Though it can be handy to clip gear to. |
Poor return on investment.
This will be removed from my modular system. |
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The bungee simply clips around the head of your cylinder valve. |
Clipping a standard bungee around the head of the valve on your cylinder simply “hangs” the tank by your side. It provides poor trim and does not control the orientation of your valves (to orientate the first stage and turn the tank’s on / off). |
Wasted investment.
The standard 8mm bungee simply cannot control the orientation of the cylinder and provided poor control of the cylinders trim.
(After salvaging the bolt snaps the standard bungee went in the bin and was replaced by a 6mm custom length continuous bungee). |
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A side mount wing should provide lift from the shoulders to the hips, with the majority of lift over the hips.
A longer and wider wing provides more stability in the water.
A larger lift capability offers additional value.
The standard approach placed the inflator hose on top of the divers shoulder. |
Lift is only required around the hips.
Large amounts of lift are not required for divers who are correctly weighted.
Your orientation in the water is determined through disciplined positioning and control of your body, not the bcd. |
Poor return on investment.
Alternate wings / side mount only wings, provide lift only where it is required, improve your trim and offer much better placement and streamlining of the inflator hose. They also don’t cost as much as a traditional wing.
(The standard wing is now on the list of desirable changes). |
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Padding on the webbing allows greater comfort. |
When diving with any exposure protection a properly fitted harness does not require padding for comfort. |
Wasted investment.
This is just added bulk and weight when traveling. |
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Standard DIN regulator valves are all that’s required. |
While you can dive successfully with standard valves and bungee’s you can’t easily don (on) / dof (off) tanks and you can’t optimise the orientation and trim of the tanks first stage and valves. |
You won’t always be able to order your tank with side mount valves, however you should ask as it may be cheaper upfront than changing them later. |
While all these observations / lessons are important they don’t replace the need for quality training.
My advice would be to try side mount diving where possible but not to invest in equipment without taking training first.
Select a trainer that gives you the ability to try both multiuse side mount systems as well as side mount only systems, a trainer that teaches the essentials, the skills (the drills), the theory and the rig customisations for the love of this style of diving.
And if you have already invested in a multipurpose system there is hope. With the right training you will quickly learn that while many of these multiuse side mount systems are non-optimal out of the box that doesn’t mean they can’t be adapted to perform well for side mount diving. That said you may find you still envy those who considered this article before lightening their wallet in which case there is always ebay.
Personally with the benefit of hindsight and having tried the razor harness side mount system I would have opted for a side mount only system over a multiuse system. I certainly can’t imagine putting a set of twins on my back any time in the future as it would be a clear leap in the wrong direction.
For now I will continue to dive with my customised multi use system with plans to change to a side mount only system, first chance I get. (I will be taking further side mount training with Steve Martin from sidemountscubadiving.com).
P.S. If you’re looking for a XL Tall Nomad XT (well cared for) please contact me at murray.peter.mpXXgmail.com