| Sidemount |
Let me start with the philosophy around “sidemount diving” in caves,
as in removing double tanks is a inadequacy for even a Full cave
trained diver, let alone set off the dive without them !
Most narrow cave tunnels allow backmount diving, but some shallow
bedding planes will be easier on sidemount, anyway when the tunnel
is tight is not longer side or back but just No mount diving, as in
pushing your tanks in front of you as you squeeze thru restrictions !!!
Obviously the risk of getting stuck and prolonged zero visibility may
discourage most cave divers. Let alone the lack of possibilities to
turn immediately to your buddy and/or exit.
This type of diving demand expertise, thorough experience, well-
built psycology and excellent planning strategy, equipment part is
easy.
Sidemount means you wear the bottles on your side, instead of your
back (backmount). Be aware not all sidemount configurations allow
tanks to be disengage underwater to allow extended multiple stage
penetrations and/or no mount penetrations.
Sidemount also allow more confortable long decompressions and
entrance to the habitat once back gas or rb is been removed.
But probably the most important is that promote cave conservation
avoiding unnecesary cave impacts and damage. Furthermore some
cave diving sites require the diver not to back mount !!!
Also side/no mount tunnels make great photography.
Here you can get ideas in how to rig your standard DIR gear, which
you already may own ! , as Trey point out yrs ago "sidemounting is
not a big deal using standard DIR equipment"
.
as in removing double tanks is a inadequacy for even a Full cave
trained diver, let alone set off the dive without them !
Most narrow cave tunnels allow backmount diving, but some shallow
bedding planes will be easier on sidemount, anyway when the tunnel
is tight is not longer side or back but just No mount diving, as in
pushing your tanks in front of you as you squeeze thru restrictions !!!
Obviously the risk of getting stuck and prolonged zero visibility may
discourage most cave divers. Let alone the lack of possibilities to
turn immediately to your buddy and/or exit.
This type of diving demand expertise, thorough experience, well-
built psycology and excellent planning strategy, equipment part is
easy.
Sidemount means you wear the bottles on your side, instead of your
back (backmount). Be aware not all sidemount configurations allow
tanks to be disengage underwater to allow extended multiple stage
penetrations and/or no mount penetrations.
Sidemount also allow more confortable long decompressions and
entrance to the habitat once back gas or rb is been removed.
But probably the most important is that promote cave conservation
avoiding unnecesary cave impacts and damage. Furthermore some
cave diving sites require the diver not to back mount !!!
Also side/no mount tunnels make great photography.
Here you can get ideas in how to rig your standard DIR gear, which
you already may own ! , as Trey point out yrs ago "sidemounting is
not a big deal using standard DIR equipment"
.
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As you can see in the pictures it
all starts in the traditional
backplate.
I am showing here a long range
cold water kit.
It is a must that all items can be
remove and place back in
seconds and as well to have
some play to avoid wedging.
The heating goes mount on
webbing straps to Backplate, also
two thinner canister fit nice on
right waist, obviously without
heating pack rig gets much
smaller and lighter.
I run cable around waist in case I
need to plug the light head.Also I
usually switch batterie packs at
deco.
Buoyancy is not a big issue in
tight tunnels where you are
basically dragging yourself on the
floor.
Drysuit provides enough lift even
as backup in conventional back
mount diving.
The argon bottle is configured in
traditional wreck mount version,
you don't want to run out of Argon
specially if you have to share with
buddy in a long up and down exit.
It is very important that knife and
sheet slide thru the bottle harness,
in case you need to remove it.
I ad a bunggie to keep bottle
close to body. Smaller argon
bottle could be use in short and/or
shallow dive and even bp mount.
A big light is perfect to balance
2-3 stages either while swimming
or scootering. It also provides
extra weight and reasonable
burntime. Another solution is
double canisters but you may
need to use 6mm backplate if
using C-4 or diving salt water.
If using thin insulation you may
use smaller canister light,
reducing burn time tough if not
using Lithium batteries.
Also if using wetsuit, sandwich a
small wing between aluminium
backplates and put some helium
on bottles.
Ideally all stuff stay under the
shoulders water break to allow
better streamline.
Like said configuration part is
easy. Proper training together
with experience development,
give the solution on safety and
efficiency.
I f you like the looks for OW fun
diving, there are several
dedicated rig to configure
sidemount, available in the
market.
all starts in the traditional
backplate.
I am showing here a long range
cold water kit.
It is a must that all items can be
remove and place back in
seconds and as well to have
some play to avoid wedging.
The heating goes mount on
webbing straps to Backplate, also
two thinner canister fit nice on
right waist, obviously without
heating pack rig gets much
smaller and lighter.
I run cable around waist in case I
need to plug the light head.Also I
usually switch batterie packs at
deco.
Buoyancy is not a big issue in
tight tunnels where you are
basically dragging yourself on the
floor.
Drysuit provides enough lift even
as backup in conventional back
mount diving.
The argon bottle is configured in
traditional wreck mount version,
you don't want to run out of Argon
specially if you have to share with
buddy in a long up and down exit.
It is very important that knife and
sheet slide thru the bottle harness,
in case you need to remove it.
I ad a bunggie to keep bottle
close to body. Smaller argon
bottle could be use in short and/or
shallow dive and even bp mount.
A big light is perfect to balance
2-3 stages either while swimming
or scootering. It also provides
extra weight and reasonable
burntime. Another solution is
double canisters but you may
need to use 6mm backplate if
using C-4 or diving salt water.
If using thin insulation you may
use smaller canister light,
reducing burn time tough if not
using Lithium batteries.
Also if using wetsuit, sandwich a
small wing between aluminium
backplates and put some helium
on bottles.
Ideally all stuff stay under the
shoulders water break to allow
better streamline.
Like said configuration part is
easy. Proper training together
with experience development,
give the solution on safety and
efficiency.
I f you like the looks for OW fun
diving, there are several
dedicated rig to configure
sidemount, available in the
market.
| Cave Explorer Knowledge Base |