Sidemount diving

Sidemount diving is a scuba diving equipment configuration which has scuba sets mounted alongside the diver, below the shoulders and along the hips, instead of on the back of the diver. It originated from cave diving, as it facilitates penetration of tight sections of cave, allows easy access to cylinder valves, provides easy and reliable gas redundancy, and tanks can be easily removed when necessary. Sidemount diving has grown in popularity within the technical diving and recreational diving communities for general deep diving and in open water environments.

History

Sidemount diving configuration originated from the need for maneuverability within the restrictions of cave diving. Early forms of sidemount diving had divers using regular back-mount BCDs and simply moving the location of the cylinders from the diver's back to the diver's side, held in place by homemade brackets.

Equipment

The basic sidemount configuration requires specific techniques with equipment which includes cylinders, regulators, buoyancy compensator, and weights. The cylinders used in sidemount are typically smaller than those used in other types of diving. The regulators are typically set up with long hoses, with the primary regulator on a 5-7 foot hose and the secondary on a shorter 22-24 inch hose. The buoyancy compensator in a sidemount is a wing-style BCD, but specifically designed for sidemount diving.

Techniques

Sidemount diving requires the diver to have good buoyancy control and trim, as well as the ability to manage multiple cylinders underwater. The cylinders are typically attached to the diver at the hips and are secured at the top by bungees that wrap around the diver's torso. The cylinders can be easily moved to the front of the diver's body, allowing the diver to navigate through tight spaces.

Training

Training for sidemount diving is offered by many organizations including PADI, TDI, and IANTD. The training includes equipment configuration and adjustment, specific diving skills, and emergency procedures.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Sidemount diving offers several advantages over traditional back-mount diving. It allows for longer dives due to the increased gas supply, better buoyancy control, and easier equipment transportation. However, it also has some disadvantages such as increased complexity of equipment setup and the need for more advanced diving skills.

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