From a training agency perspective it's fascinating to read these posts and see the massive inconsistency in current side mount gear configurations...long hose on the left, long hose on the right, long hose stuffed, long hose wrapped, short hose too long, too short, on the necklace, not on the necklace, etc.
We took a slightly different take on it, in designing a comprehensive side mount system and a training program at the same time. So every UTD instructor teaches the same configuration in the same way. It's a system that works with single or double side mount, is completely compatible with single or double back mount long hose configurations, and it maintains the most critical part of the system, which is always be able to donate a working regulator on a long hose from your mouth.
Not to hijack this thread, but I think the more important question than "how is the gear is set up," is the question of how do we train in the real world of team diving so if someone does need gas, regardless of where the tanks are mounted, they know how to get it. Personally, I'm not comfortable diving in a team where half the time a diver is on a short hosed necklace. That necklace was designed for backup use, not primary use.
Just my two cents.
Jeff
Jeff, you'll see inconsistencies because of the very media that you are replying on, the internet. Too many people are trying to learn from the internet and are picking up info piecemeal. They'll take a tidbit from here and another from there and not absorb a whole system. I think if you take a course from the GoSidemount instructors or numerous instructors in cave country in Mexico or their disciples, you'll find a "standard". I'm sure you would find the same from reputable instructors in Florida cave country.
As for who varies from what's "standard" the most, wouldn't you say it's UTD? Sidemount diving in Florida and Mexico, I have never personally seen another diver on site using the Manifold, meaning that it is not the norm. I don't see it locally either. I don't think you can take the moral high ground of what's "standard" if you yourself are varying so far from it.
As for not being comfortable diving with a diver that is on their short hose, I'd be more uncomfortable diving with someone that doesn't have the ability to yank on a long hose on a breakaway clip on their right shoulder. I think that we've already discussed that it is part of your basic 6 and part of any s-drill to clip and unclip your long hose. So the muscle memory is already there. And I would be very uncomfortable taking the manifolded system into true sidemount caves, and I don't think you'll find very many explorers that would. (And yes, I have studied the system and held one in my hands)