New to SM -- looking for recommendations

[grantmac]

Why is that the case?

Best wishes Jens

Balloons pretty badly from what I've seen. Everyone I've talked to in person with one mentions my Xdeep and says they wish they'd bought one instead.

 

[Jens Bölte]

Balloons pretty badly from what I've seen. Everyone I've talked to in person with one mentions my Xdeep and says they wish they'd bought one instead.

Thanks for the explanation. I have a Razor and a xdeep classic. I dive both with steel (less than 14 kg per tank) and alu. Both are certainly larger on the back than a xdeep tec or xdeep rec. A xdeep tec is, however, too wide for me.

Best wishes Jens

 

[Oldbear]

Hi all,

I am currently entertaining the idea of getting my sidemount certification, and I had a few questions for the experienced SM divers out there:

1.) How much of a difference does it make with back strain? I am 31 years old, 5"9" 135 lbs -- however I had a tumor removed from L3 about 15 years ago. While it doesn't hinder my current activities (including diving) I am somewhat apprehensive about strapping a twinset onto my back. I am always conscious of the weight that I load onto my back and HP100 (x2) just seems like a bad idea. With a single HP100 it takes some careful body control to "stand up" without straining myself.....I dive off of my own boat frequently so the idea of being helped over the gunnel is a turn-off to me.

2.) Is the extra cost worth it? I am looking at purchasing a SM-dedicated BCD (figure $1,000.00) in addition to a SM-oriented "pair" of regulators (figure $1,300.00) and this would be slinging two AL80s which I already own. I foresee myself purchasing HP100s almost immediately after the course (another $800.00) and then, if I have 200cf of 'back'gas on a single dive, I'm going to need a deco bottle (prob another $700.00 with regulator) ---- this is a huge cost and I am wondering if the tradeoff benefit is worth the extra expense.

3.) Have any of you gone this route and regretted it? Should I try my luck with BM twinset first? Am I overthinking it?

A little bit of background, if it makes a difference: I have been snorkeling since I could walk, I have been freediving for a decade & I have been SCUBA certified since 2017 (despite doing a number of dives with my family prior to certification.) I am currently Rescue Diver certified and working on my DM - and I work at a LDS. I have no plans to stop diving any time soon, and an IDC is in my near future (if the relationship with LDS continues as-is.) I am extremely comfortable in the water but at this time, I have no desire to pursue cave diving. I like wrecks but have only dabbled in actual penetration.

So for the veteran SM guys/gals....what say you? Run with it & see if its for me? Focus my finances and energy elsewhere? Open to all suggestions.

Sea Jay,

To answer your questions directly:

1.) How much of a difference does it make with back strain? Big difference and all for the good. I have neck and back issues from the military. And diving alleviates my pain. With Sidemount, I do have have to have the heavy doubles on my back while entering/existing the water...this is huge for me.

2.) Is the extra cost worth it? Yes was...chronic back pain sucks, hint...don't get old. Like others have said before, it doesn't have to be super pricey. There is used equipment and you possible can re-use some of the equipment you already own.

I suggest first decide where you will spend most of your SM diving, then look for BCDs that were designed with those characteristics in mind. Example, when I lived and dove in the tropics, I used either a Razor or Apex BCD with AL 80s; both BCDs were modified to meet my own preferences. Now I am in FL and chose a BCD designed for Cave Diving and use steel LP85s.

3.) Have any of you gone this route and regretted it? Not for one minute...love it. Just wish I had found it sooner and had more time to dive SM now.

There is no internet substitute for a live SM course with a trusted instructor. With that said here is a pretty good on-line course or they even have free videos.

www.sidemounting.com

They really break down the different components of sidemount diving so you can understand it. I have had several SM students tell me that the videos enhanced our live SM course. I like the water videos much better than when the two main presenters sit at a table and have a conversation talking about different topics...blah, blah, good stuff, blah, blah, good stuff. You have been diving long enough you can make up you own mind of the material being presented, will it work your you or not. But overall the site has really good videos for the new SM diver.

 

[Oldbear]

Get your back checked and do exercise so your mind doesn't keep you crippled the rest of your life
Big scuba tanks not firmly attached to your body in the heaving ocean in wrecks, what do you think

Hercules did not like lugging two tanks on his back either, but he sure as heck didn't go sidemount

Unless the ocean is calm and the weck is on it's side you know otherwise you WON'T FIT THROUGH


I'm in awe about people using inappropriate gear for the dive because it is easier to handle on land
so they think

Pretty opinionated post, especially for a thread where the OP is asking advice on SM.

I will just leave it at that.

I have had chronic back and neck pain since my military days. And diving is one of the few activities I can do that eases the pain. I exercise regularly and am in constant care of my doctors.

Maybe Hercules didn't lug tanks on his back or his side...but he wasn't a diver either. Perhaps if he was he would have went diving in the Med and not fight in foolish battles. How cool would have it been to dive ancient Greek, Trojan, and Persian ship wrecks.

As far as diving in heavy oceans, I choose not to dive in those conditions, too many other dive sites to dive.

 

[iliketopetsharks]

I am so, so sorry, but the thread title "New to SM -- looking for recommendations" only makes sense to a little niche group, for everybody else (non-divers), it must appear absolutely hilarious and obscure.

Sorry for the intermission, now continue with the regularly scheduled program...

 

[Sea_Jay]

I am so, so sorry, but the thread title "New to SM -- looking for recommendations" only makes sense to a little niche group, for everybody else (non-divers), it must appear absolutely hilarious and obscure.

Sorry for the intermission, now continue with the regularly scheduled program...

LMAO I was gonna respond to this but I better not hahahahah

 

[Sea_Jay]

Sea Jay,

To answer your questions directly:

1.) How much of a difference does it make with back strain? Big difference and all for the good. I have neck and back issues from the military. And diving alleviates my pain. With Sidemount, I do have have to have the heavy doubles on my back while entering/existing the water...this is huge for me.

2.) Is the extra cost worth it? Yes was...chronic back pain sucks, hint...don't get old. Like others have said before, it doesn't have to be super pricey. There is used equipment and you possible can re-use some of the equipment you already own.

I suggest first decide where you will spend most of your SM diving, then look for BCDs that were designed with those characteristics in mind. Example, when I lived and dove in the tropics, I used either a Razor or Apex BCD with AL 80s; both BCDs were modified to meet my own preferences. Now I am in FL and chose a BCD designed for Cave Diving and use steel LP85s.

3.) Have any of you gone this route and regretted it? Not for one minute...love it. Just wish I had found it sooner and had more time to dive SM now.

There is no internet substitute for a live SM course with a trusted instructor. With that said here is a pretty good on-line course or they even have free videos.

www.sidemounting.com

They really break down the different components of sidemount diving so you can understand it. I have had several SM students tell me that the videos enhanced our live SM course. I like the water videos much better than when the two main presenters sit at a table and have a conversation talking about different topics...blah, blah, good stuff, blah, blah, good stuff. You have been diving long enough you can make up you own mind of the material being presented, will it work your you or not. But overall the site has really good videos for the new SM diver.

Awesome info OldBear, thank you much!

 

[Marie13]

Pretty opinionated post, especially for a thread where the OP is asking advice on SM.

I will just leave it at that.

I have had chronic back and neck pain since my military days. And diving is one of the few activities I can do that eases the pain. I exercise regularly and am in constant care of my doctors.

Maybe Hercules didn't lug tanks on his back or his side...but he wasn't a diver either. Perhaps if he was he would have went diving in the Med and not fight in foolish battles. How cool would have it been to dive ancient Greek, Trojan, and Persian ship wrecks.

As far as diving in heavy oceans, I choose not to dive in those conditions, too many other dive sites to dive.

There are a number of posters here who are apparently of the opinion that any physical limitations are from someone being a weakling and exercise is the answer.

 

[MidOH]

["If you can't easily reach your valves, your a danger to your entire team and everyone in the ocean."]

Despite having 2 other independent sources of air handy.

Yeah, this forum is a bit jumpy.

Swinging weights are hard on my knees. I wouldn't mind trying SM when warranted. But baby doubles are fine for me.

 

[VikingDives]

There are a number of posters here who are apparently of the opinion that any physical limitations are from someone being a weakling and exercise is the answer.

You were an idiot too when you were young. Granted, probably not as much or as vocal an idiot, but an idiot nevertheless.

Otoh, maybe you and I just learned manners from our betters... But I'd rather dive with you either way