Been diving like that for a while now. Ever since I went sidemount for cave diving, never went back to backmount. I'm just now learning it's called Monkey diving. I'll just say its awesome, the setup might take a little longer but it's just much more comfortable than backmount. Definitely recommend, the cons for the setup definitely come with more pros than you'd think
Hello @CDRR1231, we are heading to Bonaire for a week of Sidemount diving, followed by a week in north Florida for more Sidemount diving. We can't get enough of it.
Wow, beautiful blue water, your wetsuit jacket looks thin as paper, it must be warm. That looks so enjoyable. Over here: dry suit, hood and thick gloves, green water.. I'm jealous 😂 happy 2025, thanks for the video
Hello @tomtom4405, Curacao was and is a very warm place to dive. We leave for Bonaire this Saturday which is the next island over from Curacao, and I will be wearing the same thing there. Here in the States, we are still in Drysuits though.
One thing I have always wondered (and I do not have experience with either) is that how come in sidemount, the tanks are set up with excellent trim and streamlining. However, stage/deco bottles when used with a backmount rig, the bottles seem nearly perpendicular to the dover's body. Is there a reason that the set-ups couldn't be arranged to have sidemount style streamlining?
You can totally get stages into trim when diving a backmount rebreather or doubles. It's an eyesore for me too, but most people just don't care enough to trim their bottles.
Hello @Biodoc100, one of the methods we personally use for back mount divers is, we simply add a loop section of bungee to their backplate which is then attached to the front left D-Ring, as it would be on a Sidemount harness. Then all they have to do is loop the bungees over their valve, and just like that, their deco or stage bottle is in trim. Another option is to adjust the length on the stage strap system, which a lot of divers are unaware they can do, to help the trim of the cylinder. Sometimes when renting decompression bottles, this option is not practical so the bungees tend to be the best way to go about it.
Many reason could be there. Single or both sidemount: Shallow dive (don't need a lot of air), more flexibility (e.g. for spearfishing). Single sidemount vs backmount: Does he have a backmount BCD with him? If he has both ready (sidemount and backmount)... it still request some time to adjust regs/tanks setup to fit backmount. Walking with a tank in hands is a little easier than with a tank on a back (especially on stairs). Also entrance to the water (and leaving the water after the dive) could the reason: with backmount you can't easily unattach the tank.
Great question @jqw3285. The short answer is, I didn't need the extra gas, and for someone like me with back issues, it just more comfortable. I also enjoy traveling with Sidemount gear, as its easier to pack than back mount equipment, and I have more maneuverability when in Sidemount.
spear poles... LOL.. Who talks like that? Also, I think you should emphasize that the tank is held away from body to the side; if you have it in front of you on entry it can come up and take your teeth out - an important detail.
Just getting into diving sidemount for cavern/cave...thanks so much for covering the basics so I can prepare before class.
Glad you liked the video @la5150hi-lophoto.
Been diving like that for a while now. Ever since I went sidemount for cave diving, never went back to backmount. I'm just now learning it's called Monkey diving. I'll just say its awesome, the setup might take a little longer but it's just much more comfortable than backmount. Definitely recommend, the cons for the setup definitely come with more pros than you'd think
Hello @CDRR1231, we are heading to Bonaire for a week of Sidemount diving, followed by a week in north Florida for more Sidemount diving. We can't get enough of it.
Wow, beautiful blue water, your wetsuit jacket looks thin as paper, it must be warm. That looks so enjoyable. Over here: dry suit, hood and thick gloves, green water.. I'm jealous 😂 happy 2025, thanks for the video
Hello @tomtom4405, Curacao was and is a very warm place to dive. We leave for Bonaire this Saturday which is the next island over from Curacao, and I will be wearing the same thing there. Here in the States, we are still in Drysuits though.
One thing I have always wondered (and I do not have experience with either) is that how come in sidemount, the tanks are set up with excellent trim and streamlining. However, stage/deco bottles when used with a backmount rig, the bottles seem nearly perpendicular to the dover's body. Is there a reason that the set-ups couldn't be arranged to have sidemount style streamlining?
You can totally get stages into trim when diving a backmount rebreather or doubles. It's an eyesore for me too, but most people just don't care enough to trim their bottles.
Hello @Biodoc100, one of the methods we personally use for back mount divers is, we simply add a loop section of bungee to their backplate which is then attached to the front left D-Ring, as it would be on a Sidemount harness. Then all they have to do is loop the bungees over their valve, and just like that, their deco or stage bottle is in trim. Another option is to adjust the length on the stage strap system, which a lot of divers are unaware they can do, to help the trim of the cylinder. Sometimes when renting decompression bottles, this option is not practical so the bungees tend to be the best way to go about it.
Why did you choose to dive side mount with just one tank?
Many reason could be there.
Single or both sidemount:
Shallow dive (don't need a lot of air), more flexibility (e.g. for spearfishing).
Single sidemount vs backmount:
Does he have a backmount BCD with him? If he has both ready (sidemount and backmount)... it still request some time to adjust regs/tanks setup to fit backmount.
Walking with a tank in hands is a little easier than with a tank on a back (especially on stairs). Also entrance to the water (and leaving the water after the dive) could the reason: with backmount you can't easily unattach the tank.
Great question @jqw3285. The short answer is, I didn't need the extra gas, and for someone like me with back issues, it just more comfortable. I also enjoy traveling with Sidemount gear, as its easier to pack than back mount equipment, and I have more maneuverability when in Sidemount.
Glad you liked the video @reyneva.
spear poles... LOL.. Who talks like that? Also, I think you should emphasize that the tank is held away from body to the side; if you have it in front of you on entry it can come up and take your teeth out - an important detail.
Hello @Speedospearo, that is something we definitely cover with our Sidemount students.