...
What they are doing is not dangerous and not impacting the environment (ok, lets not discuss the environmental impact of 1000 cubic meter heated pools ;-))
It certainly does not 'look' that good.
But it gives some sidemount experience. Better than getting none at all.
(the alternative is not to seek better training locally, there is next to none and that means going abroad and a constant fight for acceptance afterwards, not everyone is prepared to take that...)
Regardless of how much trouble I had gone to get to the dive centre in June this year, had I come across an instructor showing me that kind of standard, I would have shoved the nearest object which would fit into his mouth and perhaps somewhere else and told him to go take more than just a hike. Perhaps there are no clearcut definitions on what constitutes true sidemount diving but the current generally accepted consensus is there for more than just one reason.
Pullmyfinger:I have never noticed any resistance caused by deco tanks, or by their angle. That sound like one of those justifications that some sidemount proponent seem to add to the ever lengthening list of justifications or "benefits" for side mount.
If you had to constantly "hug" that slung tank, then your setup was wrong. If a diver isn't able to figure out how to rig and dive that additional tank....then how would that same diver be able to figure out how to rig up a side mount setup??
Perhaps I noticed the difference because I dive sidemount all the time and even in sidemount fashion, should the lower snap hook on the tank strap slide up by even half an inch, thus causing the neck to rotate and the base to move slightly away from my body, I can feel the added resistance because I know full well that when the rig's set up right, as in customized to your body's dimensions and preferences, it's sweet as hell and you don't get valves and 1st stages rubbing your armpits. Plus you'll really glide through the water further with every fin stroke.