I'm mad at Dive-aholic

[TSandM]

I do have this horrible suspicion that it took Rob three years to get this rig "just right", and that if I put my own together, I'm due for dive after dive of wondering why on earth I ever thought this was a good idea . . .

 

[Mark Michaud SELAUSAR]

FINALLY, something in life that I am ahead of the curve Kevin is correct about extra bottles too, when in the water, they are easy to access, out of the water..........a different story.

 

[Kevin Carlisle]

FINALLY, something in life that I am ahead of the curve Kevin is correct about extra bottles too, when in the water, they are easy to access, out of the water..........a different story.

Yeah, that's why I always take mine off in the water LOL. You were one of the first people I saw dive SM back when I was going to Vortex practicing in BM.

 

[Dive-aholic]

Okay, I confess, I did take Lynne and Peter diving in sidemount. But I never thought I had to explain to them that sidemount is how we position the cylinders, not the position we assume in the water...

 

[Splitlip]

Any issues diving off a cattle boat?

 

[Dive-aholic]

I can't speak personally about a cattle boat because I avoid them. However, I have done sidemount diving off a boat (see Capt. Frank's/Wookie's post above). While the M/V Spree is not your typical dive boat (much better than most IMO), getting off and on a boat isn't going to be much different. I had no issues with either. While it may have looked uncomfortable with more than 2 cylinders, it definitely is not. Once in the water, it is very easy, and very stable. Much more stable than typical stage diving because the stage cylinder is snugged up against your body. Splashing wasn't a problem at all. I splashed a couple of times with my sidemounted 108s, 2 AL40s, and a Silent Submersion scooter. Getting back on the boat was even easier in sidemount than in backmount. I used backmounted 95s my first day on the Spree and climbing up the ladder I was being pulled backwards by the weight of the cylinders. The next two days, diving my 108s sidemounted, the weight pulled me down, onto the ladder, making the climb out much more stable.

 

[Kevin Carlisle]

Okay, I confess, I did take Lynne and Peter diving in sidemount. But I never thought I had to explain to them that sidemount is how we position the cylinders, not the position we assume in the water...

I know what it was. They were so happy they could turn sideways and not roll over and look like an upside down turtle!! Another beauty of sidemount is swimming upside down. A great way to take in the beauty of the ceiling of the cave.

 

[Peter Guy]

Well I confess that I was not particularly inclined to even try it (and I didn't feel well for some reason) but I did. I'm very glad I did (well, at least I think I'm glad -- depends on how many days Lynne works to see HOW glad I am!).

As Lynne wrote, it was amazingly stable in all positions unlike with BM where I'm very stable until I start to roll and then I'm not!

I also must admit that the walk to and from the water was VERY nice!

 

[Doppler]

LOL... Welcome to sidemount diving, Lynne!

Neat isn't it?

 

[olphart]

I do have this horrible suspicion that it took Rob three years to get this rig "just right", and that if I put my own together, I'm due for dive after dive of wondering why on earth I ever thought this was a good idea . . .

Hmmm, since his rig worked so well for you personally, just copy his setup exactly and go from there. That should save you a lot of fussing about.
You could even save more money and time by skipping that whole process and stealing his.