OP
CaveSloth
Contributor
Sidemount keeps sounding more and more appealing to me!
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KevinNM
Contributor
There was somkne in the great lakes who kept talking about how great sm was going to be, then the reality of boat diving with sidemount was experianced.
I've read several of the discussions about that, and it sa seems to be mostly oriented around the type of boat that's popular in that area having trouble supporting sidemount deployment. In that case, with the exception of someone who has to factor in safety concerns in water, I'd say that twinset or breather would be the optimal setup. Even for someone like me that has physicality issues, maybe compromising for a dive like that with independent doubles might be a valid option, if the hogarthian principles of minimalism and streamlining are still applied.
My experience into multintank diving is just beginning, and I certainly am not going to preach the good word of our lord and savior sidemount.... my point, and OP I'm sorry I started a fight in your thread, was more that there are times in which a well thought out, well adjusted, quality sidemount system is ok in an environment besides a very tight cave network or wreck. My understanding is that one of the corps tenants of DIR, and the "tech" mindset in general, is to analyze the cost vs benefit of the equipment you're using, and dive what's most appropriate to a dive. If the diver cannot, through physical disability, do a proper valve shutdown drill and manipulate the gas they're carrying for themselves and the team in an emergency effectively in back mount, yet can in side mount, isn't it logical to mitigate the failures as far as possible through training, and proceed in the safer manner?
I'd also touch on the earlier assertion about reg swaps being a major issue: last weekend in lake travis, at 90-100ft, in what I would call near blackwater conditions, my teammate and I transited across and up a laid line in touch contact, and I had 0 difficulty in remembering, monitoring, and making reg changes without losing the line or my teammate. I consider myself a calm diver, but I barely have enough experience to consider speaking to most of you. The task loading level we where at was pretty high, I would assert that the reg swaps did not become onerous if one remained calm.
For boat diving I see pros and cons and couldn't decide on a clear winner; backmount divers who just recently started sidemounting need practice before they figure out what works best for them. Consider also the fatal accident of Lex Warner https://assets.digital.cabinet-offi...244000015/JeanElaine_MAIBReportNo25-2013_.pdf This was not even rough seas but only a light swell. Being able to carry a backmount RB and three bailout bottles over deck at once doesn't mean it's a good idea to do so.
First, when it comes to sidemount, is the diver proficient and have a correct setup? Many don't. Sidemount is harder than what most people think. The divers (this is empircal data) who say sidemount is easy have always been non-proficient with incorrect setups. So yeah, boat diving for them is going to be a lot harder. There is always the issue of the boat: is the entrance/exit wide enough for a diver in sidemount? If not, then sidemount is going to be harder. If it is, cylinders will have minimal swing if configured properly. The lower center of gravity does help.
But this debate will never die.
Mind you, I've only gotten out of the water into a boat in 3 foot swells in sidemount. Not that bad. I've had to get out of the water in 6 foot swells, but with a single tank. I don't think I'd want to do that in a twinset or sidemount.
sidemount is easy when done right... I guess i was never competent with any other setup...
You know that a lot of people struggle with it and that a lot of people are not aware of a poor configuration. Yes, the key is having a good instructor is key to getting a rig set up right, who understands all the nuances for different harnesses and body types. That kind of expertise is not common. It isn't as simple as watching a YouTube video and jumping in the water and all is good like backmount.
true
StefinSB
Contributor
no idea about a video, however you could in the same manner you can feather a tank valve and breath directly from the tank (not recommended by the way, because unless carefull you could potentially overexpand lungs).
I would isolate offending side and then when the tank I am breathing from gets down to say 400psi or so take that reg and put on the other tank. Takes all of 30 seconds) and just breath normally if solo, if with a buddy/team (preferred and recommended) just isolate the offending reg and go on the long hose.
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