Keeping tank pressures similar prevents one side of your body from becoming more buoyant than the other. Propulsion and Maneuverability
That "plus one" is a redundancy buffer. You must assume that one of your two first stages will fail or be inaccessible at the worst possible moment.
Success happens when you move the weight from your back to your hips.
Finally, successful sidemount diving requires extensive training and practice. Divers must seek out qualified instructors and training programs that teach the principles and techniques of sidemount diving. They must also practice regularly, honing their skills and building their confidence and competence.
Your tank valves are the most exposed part of your rig. Every time you clip a tank on the surface, you are one drop away from cracking a neck O-ring. The principle here is . Pause for one second before applying tension to the bolt snap. Ensure the line isn't twisted. A twisted bungee will unclip itself at 80 feet—a terrifying experience. Sidemount- Principles For Success
This article deconstructs the sidemount configuration into seven core principles. Whether you are rigging your first set of AL80s or trimming out steel LP85s for a 6-hour cave dive, these laws apply.
Most divers try to hold the tanks against their bodies using their arms. This leads to "drunken monkey" diving—flailing arms, vertical fins, and exhaustion.
Sidemount is not symmetric. Your left side is not your right side.
Let's look at three scenarios to see these principles in action. Keeping tank pressures similar prevents one side of
Your cylinders must stream perfectly parallel to your torso. If your tanks are flaring outward or dropping too low, your drag increases and your stability suffers.
The first principle of sidemount success is that
Your choice between aluminum and steel cylinders dictates your entire buoyancy and rigging strategy. Aluminum tanks become positive as they empty, requiring you to shift them forward during a dive. Steel tanks remain negative, demanding robust lift capabilities and precise hip placement.
Once geared up, the real work begins. Sidemount requires refined buoyancy and propulsion techniques. Success happens when you move the weight from
: Practicing "valve drills" to ensure you can quickly identify and shut down a leaking regulator or manifold in an emergency. 5. Training and Mindset
The goal is to keep the cylinders perfectly parallel to your torso, tucked neatly into the slipstream of your body.
Sidemount: Principles for Success Sidemount diving moves your scuba cylinders from your back to your sides. This setup improves your stability, streamliness, and gas accessibility. Moving beyond standard backmount configurations requires mastering core technical habits.