By the sixth dive, something clicked. Leo no longer felt the weight of the tanks. He felt "one with the water," a feeling many sidemount divers describe as "nirvana". On a dive at a wreck site, he realized he could access his tank valves right in front of him, making him feel safer than ever. He was able to slip through a narrow hatch that would have been impossible with a bulky back-mount setup. Sidemount: Principles for Success - Facebook
Because sidemount uses independent cylinders, you must switch regulators at predetermined pressure increments (e.g., 30 bar or 500 psi) to keep your gas supply and cylinder buoyancy balanced. sidemount principles for success verified
New sidemount divers often look like "flying squirrels"—arms and tanks flared out wide. This is the antithesis of sidemount success. The configuration is designed to fit through restrictive spaces. By the sixth dive, something clicked
—it is essential to focus on the core philosophy of efficiency, streamline, and adaptability. On a dive at a wreck site, he
In sidemount, your valves and regulators are directly in front of you, making it easier to identify and fix problems than with backmount. Success depends on these drills being second nature.
Adjust your cylinder bands so the center of gravity of the tank sits slightly behind your hip bone. Use a bungee loop (necklace) or a roller clip at the shoulder to pull the valve into your armpit. When in trim, your tanks should feel like they are glued to your lats. If you can slide a hand between your tank and your ribcage, you have failed.