I really like your open minded approach to the gear setup. I often find a 'fanboy' mentality when it comes to any given setup, in which a given user just bashes whatever you or someone else uses that is different to theirs. One thing I learned about sidemount is that there are a gadzillion ways of rigging it. My mentor told me 'always have a reason' for rigging something in any particular way. I dive single tank on training dives and the tropics, sidemount, and sometimes independent doubles on tech dives. It all depends what the objective of the dive is and what the environment demands. I think of it as additional tools available to me ad opposed of one size fits all.
Hello elejaces, glad you liked the video. Like you, I had some great mentors growing up, that taught me how to use my equipment for what it is, TOOLS OF THE TRADE. I never have bought into one specific diving philosophy, whether I am diving recreationally, technically, or commercial.
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your videos. I am an SSI Assistant Instructor starting on my ITC and find your videos and experience very informative and helpful. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Hello Kyle Keith, congratulations on becoming an SSI Assistant Instructor, and good luck on your ITC. Let me know if you need any help with the academics.
How do you dive side mount with two standard yoke valves. Positioning? Please make a video of you mounting your tanks to your side mount BC where are the first stages positioned how are you wrapping your bungees and how does that affect valve control?
Hello Christopher Altic. Here is a video showing my current Sidemount rig. (ua-cam.com/video/nmvrVctKLao/v-deo.html) But to answer your question, there are several ways to use standard valves while Sidemount Diving. Many systems will use either a looped bungee or a single bungee system that works best with extend post valves (left and right valves), but with a system like the DiveRite ring bungee system, you can use any valve configuration.
LakeHickoryScuba hey there Bryan I'm about to go on a dive trip to Belize and it will be my 100th dive . the tradition is to go 'au naturel' or nekkid as they say in the south. just curious but I'm sure you've done your 100th ( if not 1000 lol) do you go starkers? just trying to get a concensus ..I'm gonna go for it though .
Devin Hull Congratulations on reaching dive number 100. And yes, to answer your question, I have exceeded the 100 dive mark, many, many years ago. I am closing in on the 6000 dive mark. I can honestly say, I have never went diving with just my birthday suit on, well kinda that is. I am old school in the sense that I believe the only true way a wetsuit works, is if it seals directly to your skin, so 99% of the time, I am naked under my wetsuit. But hey, you never know, my next dive I may try it. Not quite sure if I will be able to upload the video to UA-cam though.
Hi Bryan, Just wondered if you have had the opportunity to dive the Mares XR Pure light sidemount bcd and what your thoughts of it are? I am looking at buying my first sidemount bcd; there are so many sidemount bcd's out there, I feel like it's a bit of a mine field. XDeep, Hollis, Apeks, Finnsub (Suunto), Halcyon, Scubapro, Tecline, Razor, Dive Rite. and probably some more that I am not aware of... How well does the Subgravity Diamond bcd cope with three cylinders, say 2 Ali 80's and a deco cylinder for example? How comfortable is the back weighting on the Diamond? Have you an opinion on the XDeep Stealth Tec or Hollis Katana / SMS 75 sidemount bcd's? What bungee material around the cylinder do you tend to favour to stow the second stage with? Cheers James
Hello James, lets see if I can answer all of your questions. 1. I haven't got my hands on the new XR Pure system from Mares. Still waiting on them to ship. I did get a chance to try one on at DEMA 2 years ago, and it was very comfortable. 2. So far I enjoy the SubGravity Diamond 2.0, and the T-Weight pouch system is very comfortable as well, even with larger 4 and 5 pound weights. Also, I haven't had any issue with running a smaller deco bottle, and I primarily only run Aluminum 80's. I wear mine on average, 2 to 3 days as week. As a matter of fact, I had it on yesterday morning in our local quarry. 3. Between the XDeep Stealth Tec or the Hollis Katana or the Hollis SMS 75, I can only give you my honest opinion on the Hollis 75. It is a great Sidemount System, and what limited experience I had with it (when I worked for a Hollis Dearler), I didn't have any issues with it. In regards to the Hollis Katana, I don't have any personal experience with them, other than selling them on the show room floor (for my previous employer). Also with the XDeep Stealth, I have used the XDeep Stealth Recreational Model but not the Tec Model. Very well built system, and very comfortable as well. All systems will have there pro's and con's (in respect to setup, D-Ring placement, etc.), and I understand that sometimes its hard to decide. Depending on what type of diving you will be doing, will be the biggest deciding factor in your decision, not to mention do you want to attach your tanks once you get in the water, or walk around with them at the surface. Me personally, I jump in the water and the attach my cylinders. It's a little bit of a hassle, but it works for me. Systems such as what Dive Rite manufacture are great in respect to having a system that allows you to use the same system for both Sidemount and Backmount, but for me, I don't mind having a system for each type of diving that I do. I would also consider your local shops, in regards to warranty issues, or repairs. The added value means a lot when I purchase gear. Even if you buy online, try to focus on a brand where you can find parts for it locally. Here in our area, its pretty much SubGravity, Dive Rite, Hollis, or ScubaPro. I will vouch for all the brands, even though I have my favorites.
@@LakeHickoryScuba Hello Bryan, thank you for your comprehensive reply. The only dedicated sidemount BCD I dived so far is the Apeks WSX-45, which has the integrated spinal weights similar to the Subgravity Diamond and XDeep Stealth etc. The weights strip can be moved up and down independently on the harness to improve any trim requirements. Trying to get advice can be hard because unfortunately, sometimes, I feel local dive stores appear to have a biased opinion based on what they are selling. I am looking at doing some deep wreck dives in sidemount with 12 litre Steels and Aluminum for deco. I don't know much about how Hollis have configured their integrated weight system for their respective sidemount bcd's. Looking for something that is easy to setup and get into trim - but then aren't we all! :) In your experience, is there any benefit (other than a overhead environment or a cave/wreck restriction) to having the inflator attachment and the pull-dump attachment on the inside of the sidemount wing, verses having the inflator and pull-dump on the outside of the wing and how it dives and the dive characteristics? Thanks. Happy Days. Cheers James
I love your videos. I’m starting side mount and love it better than doubles. Can you talk about hose routing for LP inflator hose? My rig also allows for bottom or top and I’m undecided on what I like. Top is what I’m used to but hose routing seams more complicated. Bottom is harder to dump but hose routing seams more intuitive. However when doing drills and shotgunning tanks the LP hose gets all tangled. Thoughts?
Hello ctclimberguy34, great question. It all comes down to how you rig your cylinders. For me personally, having a left and right hand cylinder valve works best. If a diver chooses to dive with a ring system, like the Dive Rite ringed bungees, then the valves don't really matter. I have used many different types of valves in the past, and my systems always are adapting to fit my needs.
I recently purchased the sms100. I will be diving it with 2 steel tanks and a AL pony with a dry suit. I took my new unit in the pool with the 2 steel tanks and no exposure protection to tune tank straps and hose routing. I have two questions. First is about weight. When I removed one tank underwater even with wing deflated I was very buoyant with exposure protection I will be more buoyant. Should I add weigh so if I lost a tank or had to donate it I could maintain buoyancy? Second question is the inflator. The SMS75 shows inflator coming from the lower left side and the 100 from the top. I flipped the inflator and dump. This seamed to be more out of the way, however it was much harder to dump air. Thoughts ?
I typically do not add weights to my tanks them selves for trim, because I do not like considering the tanks as part of my weight system. Typically I will weight myself for neutrally buoyancy before I add the tanks to my system. This way if I had to ditch a cylinder, I would still be properly weighted and it allows for the loss of weight due to the use of air (tanks get lighter as you use the air). As for the inflator, I prefer it to come from the bottom left while in sidemount. In general, the only issue is at the surface while trying to dump air. Other than that, I will use my rear dump to release air during the dive. The beauty about Sidemount, there is no set standard, and you can set your system up to fit your needs and comfort level.
We will be making a video in the next week on how to lower your SAC rate. I will even be using my personal SAC and RMV rates as examples, and the things I do to keep it low. Stay tuned. To answer your question though, my SAC rate averages between 8-10 psi per minute and my RMV rate is around .21cf/min. This is for a very relaxed, non working dive.
What is the point of having a long hose and another on a necklace when you're just going to donate the one you're breathing off of? Wouldn't it be better to have two intermediary length hoses (e.g. 40 inches) on a bolt snap for open water, recreational diving?
Hello aliasincognito0, great question. There are many different reasons divers will choose to select different lenth hoses. For most overhead environments, the long hose is desired as it allows for single file exits. In open water, a diver may choose a different lenth. Now for the primary donate debate. We produced a video may help answer that question for you. ua-cam.com/video/LxWzx2gNHIA/v-deo.html
@@LakeHickoryScuba Thanks. I, myself, dive a long hose and will only donate that no matter which cylinder I'm breathing from. However, I'm just curious how you would donate your short hose on a necklace? Do you have a breakaway on it so you can deploy it on demand?
@@aliasincognito0 Typically the short hose is not meant for donation. However, if it’s on a quick release necklace, it too can be donated. The same necklace can be used if a diver chooses two 36 inch hoses as well. In that specific set up the primary (the one being breathed from at the time, or the alternate can be donated very easily. The key is proper communication between the divers prior to the dive, during the briefing.
I really like your open minded approach to the gear setup. I often find a 'fanboy' mentality when it comes to any given setup, in which a given user just bashes whatever you or someone else uses that is different to theirs. One thing I learned about sidemount is that there are a gadzillion ways of rigging it. My mentor told me 'always have a reason' for rigging something in any particular way. I dive single tank on training dives and the tropics, sidemount, and sometimes independent doubles on tech dives. It all depends what the objective of the dive is and what the environment demands. I think of it as additional tools available to me ad opposed of one size fits all.
Hello elejaces, glad you liked the video. Like you, I had some great mentors growing up, that taught me how to use my equipment for what it is, TOOLS OF THE TRADE. I never have bought into one specific diving philosophy, whether I am diving recreationally, technically, or commercial.
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your videos. I am an SSI Assistant Instructor starting on my ITC and find your videos and experience very informative and helpful. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Hello Kyle Keith, congratulations on becoming an SSI Assistant Instructor, and good luck on your ITC. Let me know if you need any help with the academics.
Thank you sir!
You're welcome.
Great video & helpful. I'm 64 diving for 35 years & moving to sidemount.
Welcome to the world of Sidemount Diving.
How do you dive side mount with two standard yoke valves. Positioning? Please make a video of you mounting your tanks to your side mount BC where are the first stages positioned how are you wrapping your bungees and how does that affect valve control?
Hello Christopher Altic. Here is a video showing my current Sidemount rig. (ua-cam.com/video/nmvrVctKLao/v-deo.html) But to answer your question, there are several ways to use standard valves while Sidemount Diving. Many systems will use either a looped bungee or a single bungee system that works best with extend post valves (left and right valves), but with a system like the DiveRite ring bungee system, you can use any valve configuration.
wow diving for 30 years!! this guy knows his stuff
Thank You for the kind words, but even with all I know, I still have a lot to learn. We should never stop trying to learn more, especially in SCUBA.
LakeHickoryScuba hey there Bryan I'm about to go on a dive trip to Belize and it will be my 100th dive . the tradition is to go 'au naturel' or nekkid as they say in the south. just curious but I'm sure you've done your 100th ( if not 1000 lol) do you go starkers? just trying to get a concensus ..I'm gonna go for it though .
Devin Hull Congratulations on reaching dive number 100. And yes, to answer your question, I have exceeded the 100 dive mark, many, many years ago. I am closing in on the 6000 dive mark. I can honestly say, I have never went diving with just my birthday suit on, well kinda that is. I am old school in the sense that I believe the only true way a wetsuit works, is if it seals directly to your skin, so 99% of the time, I am naked under my wetsuit. But hey, you never know, my next dive I may try it. Not quite sure if I will be able to upload the video to UA-cam though.
LakeHickoryScuba hi Bryan...just put 100th dive or naked dive in the you tube search and you'd be surprised lol...if you do you should..I may do it
Devin Hull I say Go For It
Hi Bryan,
Just wondered if you have had the opportunity to dive the Mares XR Pure light sidemount bcd and what your thoughts of it are?
I am looking at buying my first sidemount bcd; there are so many sidemount bcd's out there, I feel like it's a bit of a mine field. XDeep, Hollis, Apeks, Finnsub (Suunto), Halcyon, Scubapro, Tecline, Razor, Dive Rite. and probably some more that I am not aware of...
How well does the Subgravity Diamond bcd cope with three cylinders, say 2 Ali 80's and a deco cylinder for example? How comfortable is the back weighting on the Diamond?
Have you an opinion on the XDeep Stealth Tec or Hollis Katana / SMS 75 sidemount bcd's?
What bungee material around the cylinder do you tend to favour to stow the second stage with?
Cheers
James
Hello James, lets see if I can answer all of your questions.
1. I haven't got my hands on the new XR Pure system from Mares. Still waiting on them to ship. I did get a chance to try one on at DEMA 2 years ago, and it was very comfortable.
2. So far I enjoy the SubGravity Diamond 2.0, and the T-Weight pouch system is very comfortable as well, even with larger 4 and 5 pound weights. Also, I haven't had any issue with running a smaller deco bottle, and I primarily only run Aluminum 80's. I wear mine on average, 2 to 3 days as week. As a matter of fact, I had it on yesterday morning in our local quarry.
3. Between the XDeep Stealth Tec or the Hollis Katana or the Hollis SMS 75, I can only give you my honest opinion on the Hollis 75. It is a great Sidemount System, and what limited experience I had with it (when I worked for a Hollis Dearler), I didn't have any issues with it. In regards to the Hollis Katana, I don't have any personal experience with them, other than selling them on the show room floor (for my previous employer). Also with the XDeep Stealth, I have used the XDeep Stealth Recreational Model but not the Tec Model. Very well built system, and very comfortable as well.
All systems will have there pro's and con's (in respect to setup, D-Ring placement, etc.), and I understand that sometimes its hard to decide. Depending on what type of diving you will be doing, will be the biggest deciding factor in your decision, not to mention do you want to attach your tanks once you get in the water, or walk around with them at the surface. Me personally, I jump in the water and the attach my cylinders. It's a little bit of a hassle, but it works for me. Systems such as what Dive Rite manufacture are great in respect to having a system that allows you to use the same system for both Sidemount and Backmount, but for me, I don't mind having a system for each type of diving that I do. I would also consider your local shops, in regards to warranty issues, or repairs. The added value means a lot when I purchase gear. Even if you buy online, try to focus on a brand where you can find parts for it locally. Here in our area, its pretty much SubGravity, Dive Rite, Hollis, or ScubaPro. I will vouch for all the brands, even though I have my favorites.
@@LakeHickoryScuba Hello Bryan, thank you for your comprehensive reply.
The only dedicated sidemount BCD I dived so far is the Apeks WSX-45, which has the integrated spinal weights similar to the Subgravity Diamond and XDeep Stealth etc. The weights strip can be moved up and down independently on the harness to improve any trim requirements.
Trying to get advice can be hard because unfortunately, sometimes, I feel local dive stores appear to have a biased opinion based on what they are selling.
I am looking at doing some deep wreck dives in sidemount with 12 litre Steels and Aluminum for deco.
I don't know much about how Hollis have configured their integrated weight system for their respective sidemount bcd's.
Looking for something that is easy to setup and get into trim - but then aren't we all! :)
In your experience, is there any benefit (other than a overhead environment or a cave/wreck restriction) to having the inflator attachment and the pull-dump attachment on the inside of the sidemount wing, verses having the inflator and pull-dump on the outside of the wing and how it dives and the dive characteristics?
Thanks.
Happy Days.
Cheers
James
I love your videos. I’m starting side mount and love it better than doubles.
Can you talk about hose routing for LP inflator hose? My rig also allows for bottom or top and I’m undecided on what I like.
Top is what I’m used to but hose routing seams more complicated.
Bottom is harder to dump but hose routing seams more intuitive.
However when doing drills and shotgunning tanks the LP hose gets all tangled. Thoughts?
We will be happy to make a video on that topic
Brian, are there any issues w\ running 2 similar valves vs 1 left \Rt?
Hello ctclimberguy34, great question. It all comes down to how you rig your cylinders. For me personally, having a left and right hand cylinder valve works best. If a diver chooses to dive with a ring system, like the Dive Rite ringed bungees, then the valves don't really matter. I have used many different types of valves in the past, and my systems always are adapting to fit my needs.
I recently purchased the sms100. I will be diving it with 2 steel tanks and a AL pony with a dry suit.
I took my new unit in the pool with the 2 steel tanks and no exposure protection to tune tank straps and hose routing.
I have two questions. First is about weight. When I removed one tank underwater even with wing deflated I was very buoyant with exposure protection I will be more buoyant. Should I add weigh so if I lost a tank or had to donate it I could maintain buoyancy? Second question is the inflator. The SMS75 shows inflator coming from the lower left side and the 100 from the top. I flipped the inflator and dump. This seamed to be more out of the way, however it was much harder to dump air. Thoughts ?
I typically do not add weights to my tanks them selves for trim, because I do not like considering the tanks as part of my weight system. Typically I will weight myself for neutrally buoyancy before I add the tanks to my system. This way if I had to ditch a cylinder, I would still be properly weighted and it allows for the loss of weight due to the use of air (tanks get lighter as you use the air). As for the inflator, I prefer it to come from the bottom left while in sidemount. In general, the only issue is at the surface while trying to dump air. Other than that, I will use my rear dump to release air during the dive. The beauty about Sidemount, there is no set standard, and you can set your system up to fit your needs and comfort level.
Nice video. You mentioned your SAC rate was pretty low. How low? Perhaps you can share some thoughts on how to lower our SAC?
We will be making a video in the next week on how to lower your SAC rate. I will even be using my personal SAC and RMV rates as examples, and the things I do to keep it low. Stay tuned. To answer your question though, my SAC rate averages between 8-10 psi per minute and my RMV rate is around .21cf/min. This is for a very relaxed, non working dive.
Interesting, sidemount is definetely something I would like to do ! :)
Divers Point We truly love diving Sidemount
Really great videos man
Thank You, glad you like them.
Thanks for the Video! Love it!
kylemc1979 Your Welcome
Great video thanks for the tips!
Your Welcome
I will buddy..Let me know if you try it
Devin Hull Ok
What is the point of having a long hose and another on a necklace when you're just going to donate the one you're breathing off of? Wouldn't it be better to have two intermediary length hoses (e.g. 40 inches) on a bolt snap for open water, recreational diving?
Hello aliasincognito0, great question. There are many different reasons divers will choose to select different lenth hoses. For most overhead environments, the long hose is desired as it allows for single file exits. In open water, a diver may choose a different lenth. Now for the primary donate debate. We produced a video may help answer that question for you. ua-cam.com/video/LxWzx2gNHIA/v-deo.html
@@LakeHickoryScuba Thanks. I, myself, dive a long hose and will only donate that no matter which cylinder I'm breathing from. However, I'm just curious how you would donate your short hose on a necklace? Do you have a breakaway on it so you can deploy it on demand?
@@aliasincognito0 Typically the short hose is not meant for donation. However, if it’s on a quick release necklace, it too can be donated. The same necklace can be used if a diver chooses two 36 inch hoses as well. In that specific set up the primary (the one being breathed from at the time, or the alternate can be donated very easily. The key is proper communication between the divers prior to the dive, during the briefing.