Sidemount experiment

[Nwbrewer]

About a year ago I saw this video on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ahQYqho7w4 . Pretty much ever since I saw it, I’ve been wanting to try it. The harness is so simple, I studied the pictures of the Razor and UTD Z-system and put one together myself with plastic plates for ~$50.

The first time I tried it, I used 2 al80’s, and hoses that were the wrong length, bungee’s for tank bands, and when I didn’t have enough weight, we clipped it to my chest D-rings. This basically resulted in a HUGE CF of hoses and weights and everything else. Even with all that, I was pretty comfortable and stable in the water.

The second time I tried it was yesterday, and I decided maybe it was better to get used to 1 tank first, then work up to 2. I made new tank bands out of elastic that grip much better and don’t roll around to let the hoses escape. I had a better idea of how much weight I needed, and was able to thread it onto the rig in pockets.

Overall I like this setup, it’s very comfortable, and this dive was much better than last time, but still a lot of stuff that needs tweaking. I can definitely see why people dive this way!

In a neoprene drysuit and cold salt water I need a lot more lead than I can just throw on a weightbelt, and this dive I had it in pockets on the rig, but that was REALLY floppy, I think I need to move the weights to just be threaded onto the rig, not in pockets. A few places in the video you can see the ones one by middle back are flopping around.

I also didn’t have the back strap adjusted right, so it was too loose, (again not helping with floppy weights) and it caused the waistbelt of the rig to ride way too low.

I also think my D-rings were a little too high on my shoulders. I’m not sure how you’re supposed to clip stuff off to the shoulder d-rings when they’re being held flat by the bungees. That pissed me off several times trying to clip off the lighthead or the camera one handed was not going to happen.

If you look at the video, the front of the tank is riding a little too low, I either need to tie the bungee in the middle, when using 1 tank, or maybe use heavier bungee.

I either need a longer hose for the bungee backup , or a 90degree adapter, you cen see every once in a while where it’s dragging more up to the side of my face and I had to pull It back around.

Lastly my BC isn’t working the way I had hoped. It worked ok, but there’s a reason they put the aircell in more rigid cordura cover and put a power inflator on them. Oral inflate is great for emergencies, but for OW diving I’m not a fan. V2.0 of my “BC” will have a PI in a cover that keeps it more flat on the back.

Anyway, feel free to critique, but please no “you’re going to die” crap. Yes, both dives were done in OW, but at a site I know REALLY well and very shallow/ In both cases I had a buddy I trust completely, and both times wearing doubles. Also both times I did some s-drills and stuff in waist deep water before I actually tried to dive it.

The video -
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/20953365[/vimeo]

Jake

[LCF]

I'm assuming this dive was also with Al80s -- when my friend Rob, who is a sidemount instructor, uses those tanks, he puts a 3 lb hard weight on the camband around the tank, to get them to ride more horizontally. (Also helps with total weighting.) In addition, the sidemount setup I dove did not have the waist attachment on anything elastic -- that was a hard clip to the rear "rail" (I was using a Nomad).

In addition, from what I gather, a lot of sidemount setups include both the bungie control of the top of the tank, and a backup hard connection, to keep from stretching the bungie too badly when standing with the gear on.

You clearly got the thing that entranced ME with sidemount, though -- the absolute stability in any position you wish to take in the water. Fun, isn't it?

[dieseldude]

The tanks should be clipped to armpit Drings, not on the shoulder. The bungies keep the tops of the tanks tucked close into you.
I hate aluminum tanks to begin with & only dive AL80's when I need ALLOT of deco gas & then it is in conjunction with a set of steel doubles. Steel 100's would drop your weight requirements. Beyond that +1 for adding weights to the tanks-in my research, I found that to be a common method.
If you want to make this a regular thing, I have seen the need to have custom hoses setup for it so everything is in its place or like you said, it's a CF. Try adding a deco bottle,camera, & maybe some underwater unauthorized contruction to it & task loading can take on a whole new meaning.
I am just commenting on your text. I'll go back & watch the video now. I am glad to see someone else playing with this idea.
With gas prices climbing & my work commute doubled, I explored this as a way to carry more gas without the benefit of my Explorer which would other wise provide me an ideal staging area in the back cargo area. Instead, I drive my little escort but can still swing two tanks on in the water. Doesnt help much for blocking wind & rain though.
maybe I am just spoiled....
MJ

[dieseldude]

Yep, you've done a pretty nice job putting together. Diving with one tank just scares the hell out of me-can't do it myself.
Your wing looks very streamlined-I like it. I have the angel wings going on on my setup but I dont really have a singles size wing to play with. By the way, I put togeter 2 SS backplates to help with weight as well. They sandwich my wing. I only carry 6-8lbs of weight depending on my undergarment choice for the day.
MJ

[Nwbrewer]

Yep, you've done a pretty nice job putting together. Diving with one tank just scares the hell out of me-can't do it myself.
Your wing looks very streamlined-I like it. I have the angel wings going on on my setup but I dont really have a singles size wing to play with. By the way, I put togeter 2 SS backplates to help with weight as well. They sandwich my wing. I only carry 6-8lbs of weight depending on my undergarment choice for the day.
MJ

Thanks for the tips Mike. Re- 1 tank, max depth was 40' and that was only briefly. Lack or redundacy doesn't bother me at depths I can freedive to. If I go much deeper I'd want 2, if for nothing else than from a gas management perspective, 80cf isn't much gas. The deal with al tank was it was what I could lay hands on to sling, I'm not going to try this with my single 130, and since when it's empty it's positive, I didn't have to worry so much about a total failure of my "BC". Even with a failed wing and empty BC, I'd be fine swimming that up.

Anybody out there have a 90degree adapter laying in a box they're not using? Paying $40 for a $2 worth of fitting just rubs me the wrong way.

[sheahanmcculla]

Cool Jake! You should post some pics of your setup!

[spatman]

that's very cool, jake! what are you using as a wing bladder?

definitely keep us updated on your progress.

[Nwbrewer]

that's very cool, jake! what are you using as a wing bladder?

definitely keep us updated on your progress.

This stuff - http://www.seattlefabrics.com/nylons.html#heat sealable oxford

I've made lift bags and SMB's with it in the past with good luck.

I used the dump valve off an old BC, and made the oral inflate fitting that's now been nixed. I have the 90 degree fitting for a PI hose, I just don't have a spare PI, but I think I'm just going to take one off my doubles wing and use that for experimenting.

Sheahan I'll try and take some more pictures today.

[Sounder]

You're gonna die.

[Nwbrewer]

You're gonna die.

We're all going to die. May as well have some fun!

[H20doctor]

you used the wrong hand for the clip , the clip should be removed with the left hand , followed by a round signal , then silt bombing the bottom..clearly your light is not bright enough... better fix that problem as well.. Oh and your going to die like sounder said

[Paulicarp]

I had a buddy I trust completely, and both times wearing doubles.

You're gonna die.

[Sounder]

Still gonna die.

[Nwbrewer]

Still gonna die.

Not anymore, added a power inflator and tightened up the bungees yesterday.

Also noticed that for some reason I used straight D-rings on my chest, they're now 45* bent ones, that should help with the clipping. I sewed up a soft spine weight too that attaches between the two plates, gives me 6lbs of soft lead, I then added a 3lb hard threaded onto the crotch strap. That should be much more stable than what I used before with hard weights flopping around.

[Sounder]

Also noticed that for some reason I used straight D-rings on my chest, they're now 45* bent ones, that should help with the clipping. I sewed up a soft spine weight too that attaches between the two plates, gives me 6lbs of soft lead, I then added a 3lb hard threaded onto the crotch strap. That should be much more stable than what I used before with hard weights flopping around.

Safe now you are. -Yoda

[Nwbrewer]

Also noticed that for some reason I used straight D-rings on my chest, they're now 45* bent ones, that should help with the clipping. I sewed up a soft spine weight too that attaches between the two plates, gives me 6lbs of soft lead, I then added a 3lb hard threaded onto the crotch strap. That should be much more stable than what I used before with hard weights flopping around.

Safe now you are. -Yoda

Will it be better if I make a black wing?

[Sounder]

Will it be better if I make a black wing?

It'll be much safer.

[airsix]

I then added a 3lb hard threaded onto the crotch strap.

For protection.

[Waynne Fowler]

Will it be better if I make a black wing?

Dude! DO NOT listen to these guy's... WTF!!!! Black? Really?
Everyone around here dies in black! Its the color that's the killer.

Go Pink N Yellow.... Those are the safe colors.

[Nwbrewer]

Will it be better if I make a black wing?

Dude! DO NOT listen to these guy's... WTF!!!! Black? Really?
Everyone around here dies in black! Its the color that's the killer.

Go Pink N Yellow.... Those are the safe colors.

The wing is currently safety orange, and I have yellow fin straps. Am I safe enough?

[LCF]

Orange wings are the happening thing. I'm just saying . . .

Jake, Rob has some pictures of the way he sets up the connection to the valve end of the tank on his website: http://chipoladivers.com/category/rig-modifications/ (scroll to the bottom) I don't know if they're helpful, but I do know the way he sets up the tanks, they are rock stable.

[Nwbrewer]

Orange wings are the happening thing. I'm just saying . . .

Jake, Rob has some pictures of the way he sets up the connection to the valve end of the tank on his website: http://chipoladivers.com/category/rig-modifications/ (scroll to the bottom) I don't know if they're helpful, but I do know the way he sets up the tanks, they are rock stable.

Thanks Lynne. I think the issue is that I was using a continuous bungee ( like the razor and the Z-system use) and with just one tank it was doing two things, 1- I had slack, so it was allowing the tank to hang too low, 2- it was pulling the right chest D-ring into my body, making it hard to clip anything off. I tied a knot in it , so now it's a continuous bungee, but it's fixed in the middle so it can't pull through. Kind of like this system - http://thedecostop.com/forums/showpost. ... ostcount=6 (I think you have to be a tds member to see the pics)

Hopefully I'll be able to get out again soon and see if that fixed it.

[CaptnJack]

I only see one tank

[Nwbrewer]

I only see one tank

You volunteering to loan me a second one?

[CaptnJack]

I only see one tank

You volunteering to loan me a second one?

No problem but you'll have to come get it!

BTW I have toyed with getting an Armadillo for some BC cave projects. Not because its that small of a cave, I just need a way to hoist/move cylinders past dry sections. Not sure how it dives with multiple stages though so I have held off for now. If anyone has an Armadillo I could try at Cove2 or wherever with lp95s, 2x 80s and 2x 40s I would be eternally grateful. I have the tanks, just need a demo rig.