Jay,
I did purchase some HOG reg sets for the sidemount, the first stage has a turret with a 5th LP port on the bottom, so the hose management in terms of positioning is better.
My wife is now converting to sidemount and is using my old Mares Navy Abyss first and second stage, as well as her Mares first stage. They seem to work fine so far on the four dives she has done sidemount.
We have placed the OMS sidemount adaptor on her Oxycheq travel softplate and 30# wing.
The set-up we use is independent tanks, no manifold. You have only one second stage on each tank and switch breathing from each tank during the course of the dive.
I do not know enough about the UTD system sidemount manifold there is some controversy about it in sidemount circles. Some people think it is a solution looking for a problem, un-necessary bit of equipment.
My suggestion about it see if anyone in Victoria is using the UTD sidemount system, and ask if they will let you test it out or explain its merits.
And that probably goes for any off the rack sidemount harness systems you might be interested in.
Decompression might be able to suggest someone, or as he mentions there are lots of YouTube videos on the various systems and configurations.
You might need a new BCD, depending on what you have now; some people try to rig their current BCDs to dive sidemount with the OMS adaptor or other homemade solutions.
Some people hang them like stage bottles on the chest and waist d-rings
not generally considered stream-lined and a little clunky.
One of the benefits of sidemount is that it is highly user configurable and as long as nothing dangerous is happening, then what works for you, works for you.
As long as you and your buddy know how to share gas and assist each other in an emergency, then go diving.
Having written that, Ill write that a course will show you what is considered best practices though.
I do not have any recommendations about instructors in Victoria, Im out here in Calgary.
Equipment wise:
- Sidemount BCD or BCD converted for sidemount
- Bungee cord 5-6mm for wrapping around your tank valves and bringing the tank inline with your body and under your armpit. Or ring bungees like the Diverite system.
- Two first stages, Two second stages
- 5-7 foot regulator hose for air sharing, shorter regulator hose for second stage on bungee necklace around your neck. Mine is 30 inches.
- BCD inflator hose and drysuit inflator hose, one on each tank, the BCD inflator on your left tank and drysuit inflator hose on your right tank. Generally shorter since they do not have to route over your back.
- One tank strap and two bolt clips for each tank and a 2 inch stainless steel harness slider, strips of inner tube or elastic tank band to tuck long hose into as well as some cave line or paracord for the bolt snaps.
You can also use a large hose clamp and fuel line/tube webbing in place of the tank strap.
The tank strap method is preferable for travel and tank rentals, while the hose clamp method is good for tanks that you own.
Books/Videos:
Sidemount Diving DVD Jeff Loflin and Jill Heinerth, not bad general info, bit of a Hollis infomercial at times.
Sidemount Profiles book Brian Kakuk and Jill Heinerth, a good general overview
Sidemount for the Recreational Diver Joe George, COJO diving in New Brunswick, pretty good and you can get it as a hard copy or PDF file.
Lots of YouTube videos and online info the sidemount forum here on scuba board and several facebook pages.
:blush: Bit of a long post....
