Sidemount and helmets in open water

[Razorista]

Why would you care what others think of your equipment? I dive dry all year with a D12 and sometimes a stage. Even in the local qaurry in mid summer. Fellow divers do laugh at my config, but I could not care less what others think. I have my reasons for doing things my way and that's enough for me.

That is what I meant.
Stages are no problem, even sidemount equipment is accepted everywhere by now.
But a helmet can still cause discussions here to the point that the last words you hear befor submerging are on that topic.

 

[Colliam7]

So, more to your question, I haven't seen any open water divers, on the west coast of North America, east coast of North America, Canadian/US lakes and rivers, carribean, Red Sea, Indian Ocean or anywhere else I've dove wear a helmet in open water. I would certainly question its use but if a logical, thought out answer was given that made sense, I'd be fine with it. Just don't shine it into my eyes.

I have been thinking of using a helmet in OW as a light holder, and / or as a camera (GoPro) holder. I have tried it out with lights, and except for the fact that my dive buddy shudders at my geeky appearance, I like it.

 

[Bennno]

Someone of greater physical ability can probably make backmount work, but sidemount is still much easier.

Yet in the picture below you carry 2 tanks which are basically LP120s and a stage.
Do you actually believe this stuff you're trying to tell people here? Don't you get that that doesn't make any sense at all?

 

[Dhboner]

why do you need a canister light in a lake? I use a helmet for mounting lights, but that is very much specific to penetration type diving. In open water I see no need for it, and don't bring my canister unless I need the burn time, which is only on cave dives. In ocean diving, I carry a few backup lights and it's good enough

Here in Lake Ontario the visibility can be virtually zero at times and a good, powerful can light can be your only way to signal and maintain team contact.

 

[Bennno]

I have been thinking of using a helmet in OW as a light holder, and / or as a camera (GoPro) holder.

I wouldn't do that. Having the light this close to your eyes gives you tons of backscatter, for your eyes and for you camera. If you are in a cave with gin-clear water it's not a problem but it sucks when the water is not as clear.
I would also tell that to Razor but he has already made his mind up (as always) and no logical argument will change his mind.

@Dhboner
Where do you dive in Lake Ontario?

 

[The Chairman]

Your diving: your choice. My diving: my choice. It's not worth a 'fight' and I don't expect you to prove a thing. Obviously, I don't feel compelled to prove a thing, either.

I'm not constrained to using only one modality when I dive and I certainly enjoy trying out new toys with an open mind. I dive a Petzl helmet that dates back to when I was a climbing instructor for the BSA. I used to use bungee mounts, but recently opted to add 4 Dive Rite's QRMs. I also dive with their hand mount and can easily mount any of my lights to either the helmet or the the hand mount. I still use bungees on my back up lights just in case they get popped off. I do like the ability to turn the light, which is missing from my Dive Rite set up. I'll probably manage at this point.

 

[Colliam7]

I wouldn't do that. Having the light this close to your eyes gives you tons of backscatter, for your eyes and for you camera. If you are in a cave with gin-clear water it's not a problem but it sucks when the water is not as clear.

Maybe you wouldn't and that is fine. I have tried it with lights, and I don't have a problem. (I had to chuckle at Pete's post - I use my Petzl climbing helmet as well. ) I understand what you are saying about murky water and the positioning, although there is plenty of backscatter in murky water even with a light on a Goodman handle, if you are moving horizontally, with the light head slightly in front of you. In clear OW at night, the backscatter isn't a particular issue. A bigger issue is 'relearning' - I am used to holding my hand reasonably steady with my light head on the back of the hand, and my head can move. Changing the light to a head-mount requires a different type of control of head position - in some ways easier but in others, harder.

Now, I wouldn't do it with both lights AND a camera, for the reason you mention. But, as a camera holder, it is not altogether different than the GoPro-compatible mask, except it is a little easier to use.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

why do you need a canister light in a lake?

Depends on the lake. Back when I first got tech trained, did a lot of deep dives in Lake Washington. The water in that lake eats HID beams for breakfast ... it literally redefined my definition of dark. Anything less than a 21W can light simply wasn't adequate.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[sea_ledford]

If you are that worried about it:

Get a GoPro.
Mount it to the front of the helmet.
Get a sticker that says "This is not a helmet, it's a camera mount"
Adhere to the back of your helmet.
Done.

-Chris

 

[FiddlerOnTheRoof]

I think sometimes people worry too much about what others do or don't do... I guess if you're trying to learn something it's OK but I find that in the diving industry many are concerned about not looking right or doing something and people making fun of them. I wear a diving helmet on my open water dives and rec diving most of the time and I couldn't care less what other people think. Why do I use the diving helmet with lights on it? I just like the extra light especially here in New England where it gets dark at depth quick. Most of my dives even from shore are between 50 to 100+ depth where at 90 feet can be already pitch dark.