...no,not really. Sidemount has become a marketing explosion in an industry that doesn't do well when people have limited disposible income due to a down economy. As consumers remember caveat emptor.
I recall when nitrox was a voo doo gas,and was outlawed by DEMA,and not recognized by the training organizations. Then over night it became a marketing bonanza,and you saw anything and everything nitrox hit the market-some good and some junk. Quite a few people got screwed because the assumption it was all good,but there are people out there to make a quick buck.
I learned sidemount when there was nothing and we had to make it ourselves,so personally I have been enjoying the benefits of some marketing efforts by being able to access to stuff that used to be a hassle to make. But,I see some things out there that aren't too good that are being rushed to the market to take advantage of this consumer interest,plus I hear about sidemount instructors who learn to sidemount the same weekend they become an instructor in this specialty.
Good luck and dive safe
I recall when nitrox was a voo doo gas,and was outlawed by DEMA,and not recognized by the training organizations. Then over night it became a marketing bonanza,and you saw anything and everything nitrox hit the market-some good and some junk. Quite a few people got screwed because the assumption it was all good,but there are people out there to make a quick buck.
I learned sidemount when there was nothing and we had to make it ourselves,so personally I have been enjoying the benefits of some marketing efforts by being able to access to stuff that used to be a hassle to make. But,I see some things out there that aren't too good that are being rushed to the market to take advantage of this consumer interest,plus I hear about sidemount instructors who learn to sidemount the same weekend they become an instructor in this specialty.
Good luck and dive safe