markmantei
Contributor
I have 50-75 sidemount dives under my belt. Most of those dives have been either with no stages or a single top mounted AL40, tanks are typically Faber HP120's (my preference), although sometimes I'll use Worthington HP130's. I don't recall ever having an issue before, but last time I dove SM was the beginning of December. I have an upcoming trip, and will need to carry an AL80 of 50% and an AL40 of O2 in addition to the 120's. As I hadn't dove with an AL80 before I figured I would jump in the pool fully geared except for the drysuit. Anyways with the stages on (top mounted) it feels like the 120's are interfering with my frog kick and I am needing to "push" the 120's out of the way with my quads each kick cycle. I am pretty sure the tanks are well trimmed (like I said, no issues before). I could sling the tanks instead (I keep a standard stage strap in addition to the bungees for top mounting), but in general I feel there is already too much going on with reg hoses, light cords, and inflator hoses, and prefer the cleaner top mounting of the stages. It's possible that the extra weight from the stages was affecting my trim in the water with just a wetsuit on (I definitely felt foot heavy), which is an issue that should resolve itself by adding the drysuit. Am I the only one with this issue? Any suggestions?