Did you know 54.5% of divers now prefer side mount diving? They like it for its streamlined profile and easy valve access.
This fact shows how popular this style has become in the diving world. Let’s find out more about sidemount diving which is popular these days.
About Side Mount Diving
- Side mount diving offers a more streamlined profile and better valve access.
- It provides enhanced flexibility and movement, ideal for navigating tight spaces.
- Nusa Penida is a prime location where side mount diving truly shines.
- This diving style offers superior buoyancy control, making it popular among both recreational and technical divers.
- The side mount configuration reduces drag and helps conserve air.
What is Sidemount Diving?
Sidemount diving is a style where divers have tanks at their sides, not on their backs. This side mount diving setup is chosen by many for its flexibility and better movement underwater.
The way to define sidemount diving is by the tanks being parallel to the diver. They’re under the shoulders and next to the hips. This makes moving easier in tight spots. Divers in places like Nusa Penida love it for exploring under the sea.
Using multiple tanks is a big plus of this diving method. Divers can carry one to several tanks, based on the dive. This makes sidemount diving adaptable for fun dives or technical ones.
Sidemount diving uses wing-style BCDs for attaching tanks differently than the usual backmount BCDs. This suits sidemount divers by helping balance and streamline their gear. Also, many sidemount harnesses are padded. They have attachments and D-rings for tanks and extra gear.
A key feature is positioning tanks easily. This makes handling valves simpler and improves access in emergencies. Also, it’s easier to carry and prepare tanks before diving. This reduces the strain on divers before they get in the water.
History of Sidemount Diving
Sidemount diving started with cave divers in the 1960s in the United Kingdom. Its development was aimed at moving through narrow cave passages.
The technique allowed divers to access tight spaces easier and manage their gas supply better, becoming popular among explorers.
During the 1970s, the method became popular in the United States, especially in Florida and Mexico. This time was important in sidemount diving history. Dive Rite was the first to make a commercial sidemount system in the mid-1990s. This made it available to more divers.
In the 2000s, brands like Hollis, OMS, and UTD made new gear. This brought more divers to sidemount diving, leading to official courses by diving groups. PADI started offering courses for both fun and serious diving during this period.
The mid-2010s saw sidemount diving become very popular. This led to better gear and training. Now, most diving groups have sidemount courses, and there’s lots of gear to choose from. The diving world has gained a lot from sidemount diving’s improvements in movement, balance, and safety, making it great for advanced diving.
Sidemount diving keeps getting better, offering new adventures for divers. Its flexibility and increasing popularity, mixed with a deep history, mean it will stay important in diving for many more years.
Sidemount Diving Gear
As sidemount diving becomes more popular, picking the right sidemount gear is key for a safe dive. You need everything from the harness to the BCD. Each piece is vital for the flexibility and safety sidemount diving offers.
Sidemount Harness
The sidemount harness keeps gas tanks secure on both sides of the diver. It lets divers move easily, which is great in tight spots or caves. There are many types, like the Z-Harness, with soft or stainless-steel backplates for a customized fit.
BCD (Buoyancy Control Device)
Sidemount BCDs, such as the Z-Tec XL, offer good buoyancy and tank stability. They have wings and come with weight pockets and steel D-rings. The lifting power ranges from 28lbs/13kgs to 45lbs/20kgs. This ensures divers can control their buoyancy no matter the dive.
Regulators
Divers carry two regulators for backup, each hooked to its own gas source. There’s a long hose for the primary regulator and a shorter one for the secondary. This setup, with customizable hose inputs, meets the unique needs of sidemount diving equipment.
SPGs (Submersible Pressure Gauges)
SPGs help divers keep an eye on their gas. They come in different sizes for various needs. With hoses up to 6″/15cm, these gauges give accurate gas readings. This is crucial for both fun and technical sidemount dives.
Why You Should Try Sidemount Diving
Sidemount diving is getting more popular for good reasons. It offers advanced maneuverability and better safety. Let’s explore why sidemount diving can make your underwater adventures even better.
Maneuverability, Balance, and Stability
Many divers choose sidemount for its great maneuverability. Tanks on each side let divers move more easily. This helps in tight spaces like caves.
It also makes diving more stable and less tiring. This means divers can enjoy their time underwater even more. These advantages shine in places like Nusa Penida, where moving precisely is key.
Improved Safety and Redundancy
Sidemount diving is also safer thanks to its design. Having two separate air sources adds a layer of safety. This is important for technical diving or exploring risky spots.
It’s easier to get to valves and regulators too. This lets divers quickly fix problems, making diving safer.
New Experiences
Sidemount diving offers unique experiences. It feels like gliding through the water with more freedom. Managing gear is easier too, allowing for customized setups.
This way, divers can tackle tricky underwater landscapes with more confidence and safety. With these advantages, it’s easy to see why side mount diving is a top choice. It combines safety, comfort, and exciting new adventures.
Sidemount vs Backmount: Which is Better?
When choosing between sidemount and backmount, divers look at their needs and diving situations. Each style has its own pros and cons. We’ll look into what makes sidemount great and compare it with the usual backmount setup.
| Aspect | Sidemount | Backmount |
| Flexibility | High; allows for single or multiple tank configurations | Fixed; usually requires double tanks for technical dives |
| Comfort | Better for divers with lower back issues; less strain | Potential strain on back, manageable once secured |
| Adequate Gas Supply | Available; similar to double tank backmount | Available; standard with double tanks |
| Weighting | Challenging; weight distribution can be tricky | Simpler; more straightforward setup |
| Setup Complexity | More complex; requires time to feel comfortable | Simpler; familiar for many divers |
| Valve Access | Quick and easy; valves are in front | Requires specific skills like S-drill |
It’s important for divers to think about their own needs when choosing. Sidemount diving offers redundancy similar to double tank backmount setups.
Sidemount makes getting in and out of the water easier and offers better control while moving underwater.
On the other hand, backmount is straightforward and familiar to many. Your diving type, where you dive, and what you like should lead your choice.
Disadvantages of Sidemount diving
Sidemount diving has its perks like better flexibility and streamlining. But, it also comes with challenges to consider. Knowing these can help us prepare and make wise choices.
Less Standardization
A key downside is the gear setup lacks standardization. This means sidemount gear varies a lot from one diver to another. Such variety makes learning tougher as divers need to get used to different setups. Additionally, setting up and adjusting the gear can take more time because of the many parts in sidemount harnesses.
More Tricky Water Entry
Getting into the water is harder with sidemount diving. Divers have to attach their tanks once they’re in the water, which requires more preparation and practice to execute smoothly. This method demands calm waters and proper techniques, especially for beginners. It’s important to choose the right location with favorable conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Diving in Nusa Penida is one of the places with beautiful conditions that make it suitable for starting a sidemount diving adventure.
It’s more Difficult to Set Up
The setup for sidemount diving takes longer and is more complex than single tank backmounts or twinsets. Divers need to budget extra time to ensure all gear is secure. This includes the sidemount harness and Buoyancy Control Devices (BCD). Managing air and switching regulators also adds to the task.
In short, sidemount diving has unique challenges. Yet, with enough practice and preparation, we can greatly improve our diving adventures.
Let’s Dive with Challenging New Skills
Learning sidemount diving boosts our diving skills and underwater confidence. This style helps us get better at managing equipment, planning our gas use, and being aware of our surroundings. By improving these areas, we make diving more enjoyable and safer.
Diving sidemount style opens up exciting opportunities, especially in tight spots or complex caves. It’s a great skill to master for activities like diving in Nusa Penida, where the stunning sea life and breathtaking underwater views make it a top choice for divers. By mastering sidemount, moving and positioning underwater becomes easier. This is why many divers, both for fun and technical reasons, are choosing sidemount diving.
Getting better at sidemount diving takes practice, especially with key moves like the shutdown sequence. This helps us handle our gear smoothly. The growing interest in sidemount diving is seen through more online content and social media talk.
As more divers get into sidemount and share their stories, we not only expand our diving skills but also join a worldwide community of sidemount enthusiasts.
Specific Questions about Sidemount Diving
What is sidemount diving?
Sidemount diving lets you put tanks on your sides, not your back. This makes moving under water easier and more flexible. It’s loved by many kinds of divers.
What are the benefits of sidemount diving?
With sidemount diving, you can move better and feel more stable. You’ll use less air and feel less tired. It also means having a backup air source, which is safer for exploring tough spots under water.
What do I need to know about the history of sidemount diving?
Sidemount diving started in the 1960s with cave divers in the UK. They found it easier to move through tight caves. Now, it’s chosen by many for its comfort and flexibility.
What equipment is required for sidemount diving?
You need some key gear for sidemount diving: – A harness to hold your tanks. – A wing-style BCD for control. – Two regulators and SPGs to monitor air.
Why should I try sidemount diving?
It gives you better control and safety. Sidemount diving shakes up your skills and lets you see new underwater worlds, like Nusa Penida’s seas.
How does sidemount diving compare to backmount diving?
Sidemount diving offers more flexibility and comfort than backmount. Your choice should be based on what you like and where you dive.
What are the disadvantages of sidemount diving?
The downsides include tricky gear setup and difficult entries into the water. You’ll also spend more time getting your equipment ready.
What skills can I develop by learning sidemount diving?
Sidemount diving teaches you to manage gear, plan your gas, and stay aware. These important skills make diving safer and more fun.
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