To clip or not to clip on tank valve Bungee cord.

[eelpout]

I am new to sidemount and I am having difficulty trying to get the bungee cord around the tank valve and then clipped to my chest d-ring. I have seen divers eliminate the clip and just run a cord loop. I have arthritic hands that are not as strong as they used to be. I understand why the clip comes in handy but I just need to hear opinions from both sides. Thanks in advance.

 

[Marie13]

I just loop the bungee around the valve knob/hand wheel. I don’t have the greatest hand strength myself. I found that having something to use as a handle to pull bungee out helps. Even a loop slip knotted into the bungee works.

I do leave the bungee clipped to chest D ring.

Also, you might try switching out the bungee you’re currently using - which I assume came with your SM rig - for something stretchier. The stock Hollis bungees are awful! Even strong young men have told me they were a PITA and switched them out.

Which SM rig do you have?

 

[Marie13]

To give you an idea of what I do. I have the Dive Rite Nomad XT. It came set up for the DR ring bungee system. I don’t use that. I did, however, leave the metal rings on the bungees. Damned handy as a handle to pull the bungees out to get it around valve knob.

 

[TerryC]

I am new to sidemount and I am having difficulty trying to get the bungee cord around the tank valve and then clipped to my chest d-ring. I have seen divers eliminate the clip and just run a cord loop. I have arthritic hands that are not as strong as they used to be. I understand why the clip comes in handy but I just need to hear opinions from both sides. Thanks in advance.

You may already be using this technique, if not give it a go.
Do NOT pull out the bungees horizontal to your body.
Pull them DOWN vertically then slide them up the sides of the cylinders.
Worked for weakling like me.

 

[Tom_Ivan]

I find the job a lot easier in the water for some reason. I have my tanks clipped with a snap lock until I'm fully in the water then transition to the bungys.

 

[JonG1]

Double enders or small bungee loops on the lower side of the main bungee tied with an overhand knot help too.

 

[Paul M]

If possible with your harness, you may want to try setting up a loop bungee. (No need for clipping to D-rings.)
I use Steel 100s in cold water and AL80s in warm. Never needed to have the tanks clipped off. Just use 8mm bungee loop all the time.

**gratuitous photo time**
-Tobermory last summer

- Last week in Dominican Rep.

 

[jsnorman]

I have been sidemount for a few years and had the same issue. I finally decided to get my certification and my instructor corrected my bungee technique. Order is critical, and you have to do this in water: (1) move bottom clip (if needed for AL tank) to belt ring; (2) Unclip safety loop, (3) rotate tank so that the post (or handle, whatever you are bungee'ing to) is at 12 o'clock, and push the tank down a little, (4) with your opposite hand, while still holding/rotating tank, pull the bungee over the post/handle, and (5) release the tank and let the bungee pull it into position.

It seems so obvious now, but I no longer have to fight the bungee.

Thank you Zach @ TDS Bonaire!

 

[Wibble]

Leave a tail on the bungees. My problem is using drygloves and I really don't want them pinched when pulling in the cylinders.

I've a 10cm/4" tail on it. Makes it extremely easy to wrap it around they cylinder and remove the loop after.

BTW I use a standard stage mount with a second lower D-ring. This means the cylinder's easy to carry, easy to mount on a moving boat and can be bungeed once in the calm of the sea.

 

[Rayk]

I have DIY sliding paracords and solves valve bungee relation pretty easily.