Eric Sedletzky
Contributor
I've been reading about side mount as the newest biggest thing since sliced bread, but I personally don't get why it has become so popular. Is it just because it's something new?
I'm not bagging on it, I just don't understand it.
I can see the use for caving since it gives more room above you so you don't scrape tanks on the ceiling, but just for everyday open water diving I'm failing to see the appeal.
It would seem to me that having tanks to your sides would seriously get in the way. I remember even having a slung 40 was annoying.
I haven't seen anybody where I dive using a sidemount rig, is it an east coast and midwest thing?
What is the advantage in open water besides having access to valves within easy reach?
What about walking or hiking with them?
Is the whole harness system more or less complicated that a regular BP/W?
Is there such a thing as just having one on one side?
Or is there a center slung belly tank for singles.
Somebody please explain it to me.
Just asking questions.
I'm not bagging on it, I just don't understand it.
I can see the use for caving since it gives more room above you so you don't scrape tanks on the ceiling, but just for everyday open water diving I'm failing to see the appeal.
It would seem to me that having tanks to your sides would seriously get in the way. I remember even having a slung 40 was annoying.
I haven't seen anybody where I dive using a sidemount rig, is it an east coast and midwest thing?
What is the advantage in open water besides having access to valves within easy reach?
What about walking or hiking with them?
Is the whole harness system more or less complicated that a regular BP/W?
Is there such a thing as just having one on one side?
Or is there a center slung belly tank for singles.
Somebody please explain it to me.
Just asking questions.