The core philosophy of sidemount diving is customization and streamlining. Unlike standard backmount kits, a sidemount rig must be tailored precisely to your body shape and the specific cylinders you use.
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Your cylinder valves should rest securely in your armpits, protected by your upper body.
The streamlined nature of sidemount allows you to utilize highly efficient propulsion techniques that protect fragile underwater environments from silting or impact. Sidemount- Principles For Success
Traditional flutter kicking is highly inefficient in sidemount and tends to push the legs down, destroying trim.
Set a timer on your dive computer for every 5 minutes. When it beeps, switch. Do not wait until one tank is "low." By rotating frequently, you keep the tanks within 500 PSI of each other throughout the dive.
Sidemount requires active management of two independent gas sources. The core philosophy of sidemount diving is customization
The single biggest mistake new sidemount divers make is over-rigging.
: Valves and first stages are positioned in front of you, under your armpits. This allows you to see and reach every connection
Elias had three principles for success, carved into his workbench: Your cylinder valves should rest securely in your
As you breathe down aluminum cylinders, they become more buoyant and will want to "tail up." To fix this, you must use sliding D-rings or adjust your lower attachment points mid-dive to keep them in line with your body. 3. Master Your "Bungee Logic"
: Master backing up to exit tight spaces without turning around.
: The shoulder plate should sit just below the C7 vertebrae (the prominent bone at the base of your neck). The lumbar plate must be positioned very low, over the S2 vertebrae at the flat area just above the buttocks.
Tanks are tucked under the armpits, significantly reducing drag and silhouette, which is essential for tight spaces or high-current dives. 2. Equipment Configuration: The Fundamentals