Sidemount

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Sidemount

Sidemount scuba diving is a configuration that's growing in popularity, offering divers a unique way to streamline their underwater journey. It's a versatile arrangement that caters to exploring tight spaces, such as underwater caves and wrecks, where maneuverability is key. Moreover, this setup is often considered safer, as it allows for redundancy with multiple tanks and straightforward access to tank valves in case of emergency.

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We at Dive Right in Scuba have curated an extensive selection of sidemount gear to suit both beginners and experienced divers. Our products are designed to enhance your sidemount diving experience by prioritizing ease of movement and balance, so you can focus on the adventure that awaits. Whether venturing into the realm of sidemount diving for the first time or looking to refine your setup, we have everything you need to dive right in and explore the underwater world in a whole new way.

Features of Sidemount

Standard Features:

  • BCDs for sidemount are typically wing style with a harness.
  • Different tank attachment points than backmount BCDs.
  • Tanks attach at the hip and upper chest, at armpit level on either side.
  • Use of an elastic system (bungee, tubing, etc.) or clips for tank positioning, attaching to chest D-rings.
  • Equipped with one or two regulators with SPGs, and at least one regulator must have a low pressure inflator hose for the BCD.

Optional Features:

  • Harnesses may be padded for comfort and include weight pockets for trim balancing.
  • Crotch straps to maintain harness position.
  • Modular harness and BCD designs for backmount or sidemount diving adaptability.
  • For cave diving, BCDs may feature hoses attaching near the bladder's bottom.
  • Cylinder-mounted weights for adjustable weight positioning during dives.

Mastering Sidemount Techniques

At Dive Right in Scuba, we understand that perfecting technical sidemount diving requires attention to detail in two critical areas: your buoyancy and trim, and managing your tanks and gases effectively. By mastering these techniques, you'll enjoy increased stability and maneuverability underwater.

Buoyancy and Trim

Buoyancy in sidemount diving is more than just achieving neutral buoyancy; it's about fine-tuning your weight distribution for optimal trim. Our sidemount configuration provides a unique challenge to maintain a horizontal position in the water. To achieve this, we carefully select weights and strategically place them to ensure the body remains parallel to the surface. This not only enhances stability but also minimizes air consumption by reducing drag.

Tank Attachment and Gas Management

When we attach our tanks in a sidemount configuration, precision is key. The tanks should be secured at the correct attachment points along our body to promote a streamlined profile and prevent unnecessary drag. By doing so, we ensure better gas management and reduce our air consumption. Good gas management is also essential to sidemount diving. We need to monitor and manage our air supply carefully, switching between tanks as necessary to maintain an even air supply and trim in the water.

Choosing a BCD and Harness:

When selecting a BCD (Buoyancy Control Device) for sidemount diving, it’s essential to find one that is specifically designed for this purpose. Our sidemount BCDs feature low-profile bladders that offer balance and buoyancy control while allowing for an unobstructed range of motion. Equally important is the harness, which should be fully adjustable to accommodate various body types with chest D-rings and hip D-rings for equipment attachment. For example, a dive light or a stage bottle can be clipped off to a D-ring for easy access.

Configuring Additional Equipment:

Beyond the BCD, harness and wings, regulator, and tanks, additional sidemount equipment plays a crucial role. Weights can be cylinder-mounted or placed in pockets to fine-tune buoyancy and balance, especially critical in sidemount diving to maintain proper trim. Proper configuration of equipment, such as the correct placement of D-rings and allocation of weights, is vital. At Dive Right in Scuba, we help divers understand the importance of this balance and how to achieve it through training and practice.

Safety and Emergency Procedures

Routine Safety

We prioritize safety at Dive Right in Scuba, and this extends to advocating regular equipment checks before diving. Our sidemount gear is designed to ensure that you can easily reach all clips and attachments, even with thick gloves.

Emergency Situations

Emergency procedures become more manageable with sidemount diving. Each tank can be shut off independently, and divers can switch between gases as needed, which is crucial during emergency ascents or decompression sickness.

Training

Proper training in sidemount techniques is essential for emergency problem solving. At Dive Right in Scuba, we emphasize the importance of mastering these skills through our courses aimed to equip divers with the necessary tools to handle unexpected situations underwater.

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