That's an entirely different topic than to what I was referring.
Is UTD still a "fringe" organization?
- Thread starter onepointfivethumbs
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Same topic, different mechanic...
You have to shutdown the tank in order to have the gas go through the LP manifold due to variances in the first stage IP...
Regarding the why the isolator.... while everyone has brought up the downfalls (and rightfully so), AG’s concept was to keep the longhose and bungied backup exactly the same from single/double backmount, sidemount (just plug in another bottle), and CCR bailout.
I know I had issues when doing my first CCR course as it was a sidemounted unit. Doing a simple action such as inflating a SMB was difficult the first attempt due to muscle memory, and my loop coming from the left vs. a second stage coming from the right.. once that clicked, it was simple, switch to OC for the 30-60 seconds + blob ascent, then switch back to the loop.
With that and now diving several other units, the muscle memory is different between them...
Can’t say I can argue with AG’s base logic to keep it the same, but the practicality of that manifold has a longer list of downfalls than advantages.
_R
That by itself is a non starter.
While introducing bigger problems. As the standard sidemount cave community have figured out how to share gas, I don't see cause. If a mix of cave divers are together, then either everyone switches to backmount, or the backmount divers are trained sufficiently to wait for a reg to be donated.
How much experience did you have with sidemount prior to the course.
Agreed as while I don't dive CC, I do switch between BM and SM.
Agreed.
Why? In essence the benefit of sidemount is two independent tins. By keeping them completely separate, you've always got gas as you won't loose two tins at the same time (unless you're *really* unlucky).
Sticking to thirds, you'd have sufficient gas left in one tin to get you home. (Maffs... 1/3 in means using 1/1 on both tins, leaving 2/3 in both tins to get you back. If you loose a tin at the turn point, you've got 1/3 for the trip home).
Donation is exactly the same: longhose. One tiny mod is the clip will have a breakaway.
Should the 'buddy' need more gas, you can simply swap a tin over.
With that UTI thing, you'd be connecting both tins into a single system so potentially could loose both. Goodness knows how you'd swap cylinders, etc., etc.
The point of sidemount is utter simplicity. Far more simple than backmount.
Quite a bit actually....
The issue is the loop is completely from the left, while OC regs are from the right (over the neck)... so the muscle memory of manipulating the regs with the right hand, and the SMB with the left hand went completely out the window, as then, I was holding the loop in my left hand, trying to figure out why I’m being retarded underwater with a SMB in my right
_R
I know of at least one fatality where this was likely a contributing factor. Yes, it's hard to believe, but it has happened.
All you have to do is watch divers in a mixed group of back-mount and side-mount getting ready for a dive to see that the point of side-mount is not simplicity, and that contrast continues underwater (switching regs to keep gas balance, readjusting Al tank position as buoyancy changes, etc). The primary point of side-mount is to get you where back-mount cannot underwater (low overhead restrictions). Secondary points may include being unable to dive back-mount comfortably, wanting redundancy travelling to places where all you can do is rent Al80s, preferring the trim/balance of side-mount, etc. Simplicity, not so much.
MichaelMc
Working toward Cenotes
All perfectly valid reasons. I particularly enjoy the ability and comfort of looking up and forward while diving side-mount compared to back-mount. But calling side-mount simpler than back-mount is where I call BS. In addition to what I said earlier, learning back-mount is much simpler. Dialling in proper fit and learning to use the rig competently takes a lot less time and f@cking around with back-mount, especially given the variety of different side-mount rigs and lack of standardization (a positive thing in some regards). Also try restowing the long hose after a full S-drill in side-mount vs back-mount, I know this is a pretty obscure and unimportant example but I find it funny.
MichaelMc
Working toward Cenotes
My favorite video for restowing, with a mostly one-handed method. It also helps to have gripper tabs on the hose bands to make lifting the band easier. And the tabs rotated to where you will need them.
Though restowing in backmount is vastly simpler. So simple as to barely warrant mentioning as a task.
There is definitely more faff involved with sidemount. I've learned to take a knee while kitting or dekitting so the tank I'm unclipping can rest on the thigh instead of my having to hold it and clip it.
Looking up by fully arching the back was a joy for me to discover. There are often fish up there.
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