Nice one Achim, good to see you here on youtube. I took a sidemount workshop with you back in 2013 when I was still an open water diver and thought poorly of PADI. Years later I became an IMCA recognised commercial diver and carried out a couple of long-term jobs internationally - Getting back into recreational diving I build my own sidemount harness and used your knowledge and this video combined with my commercial diving training and setup to facilitate for a full-face setup and if needed surface supplied capability. Although not as streamlined as yours it was important for me to have my setup adjustable with a lift strap and double crutch strap (as I am used to these harnesses from work). I basically just wanted to reach out to say "hi" and thank you for taking me on back in 2013 as a non-technical diver at the time and teaching me the first safe practices. Stay well and all the best.
Good going. I did a similar setup once. Just had a thinner plate made from stainless to cover the 38Lb wing. that worked well too. But I prefer using a soft pack setup now as it gives me more flexability in the water, and is easier for my back. No I don't go caving, just open water.
Thank you for this. I know this video has been out there for a long time now, but I am fairly new to diving and exploring a side mount class. I don't want to drop $800 or more on yet another BCD without trying it first, so this is perfect. I do have a question; I modified your instructions slightly and used a continuous piece of webbing starting with the bottom of the shoulder straps on the front plate. It seems to work well but wanted to ask if you know of any issues with that modification before I go dive it? Thanks again for all of the great information, this is one of my favorite channels!
Hi, great videos and thanks for educating, especially the newbies like me. I have a question on looping the bungee over the tanks like Toddy does? I am wanting to use both tank with same standard valve like in Toddy’s video but the loop wraps over my hoses an also comes off from the tank when I am in the water with the knobs pointing forward. A video on this detail will really help. Thanks in advance for your support!
Question because the straps hold down the wing how much pressure do you feel on the body when the wing is inflated ? I like the Idea that with a little modification it could also be used as a single tank back plate Thanks
Hi. I am interested to hear about how the inflation and deflation of the wing goes. Seems like since it is cinched by the webbing you will not be able to inflate the wing properly. Also, when you deflate, some areas are prone to air traps, again due to the webbing technically cinching the donut.
I like the backside backplate (4:30 and on)... from the ones I’ve seen so far, it’s my favorite at least when it comes to the punched holes on the outside. They are so many and I definitely like having choices for adjustments and tryouts. Who’s the manufacturer? Greetings from Lower Bavaria and thanks a lot for the impressions... and your answer in advance 😃.
Hello, I use a similar SCUBAPRO system but all the straps are fixed on the inner plate for air circulation in the wing (donut). For your concept, does the air circulate well? Do straps not block the air in the wing (donut)?
How do you think this setup would fare with an STA for single tank use? Seems like it could do both side mount and single tank pretty well. I do see one might need a washer spacer to offset where the top strap crosses the back backplate.
Hello A.S. My question is now. Looking at the volume of a single tank wing will it not be restricted between the two backplate. Asking this as a double wing all air volume is outside the backplate, only looking at the shape. Looking at a single tanke some volume will be inside the backplate.
What is the benefit of webbing 2 bp together is it wrong if you just bolt both BPs, with the one on your back with the harness, and the rear one with buttplate ?
What backplate had the skull, sword, and crossbone? Have you ever considered making a Jon line? I doubt this is something you would even use, seeing as it's a crutch and as a diver you should be able to maintain depth, but thought one made from Paracord would be interesting. If so, can you make a video on how you would make it?
Hi, the plate was a presnt from a student a couple of years ago. You are right I do not use jonlines as - if the current is too strong to stay at the line effortless I prefer to do a drifting deco and therfore have no issues with the current at all. But that is again a bit of a philosophy. Generally speaking - deco should be as relaxed as possible :)
question: in your video about attaching boltsnaps you nicely explain why metal to metal connections should be avoided. shouldn't therefore the bunge rather be connected with line to the upper backplate? i mean especially in sidemount which is used to swim through tight places you wouldn't want that safety screwing carrabiner to get stuck. thx!
Well - interessting point. for me the carrabiner is part of the backplate and the bungee is the connection to the tank and it is cutable, matal to metal would be if I attach a boltsnap to the tank with a hoseclamp and then clip the boltsnap to that carrabiner. I hope this makes sense.
Hi, I'm sub. on your videos and found them really useful. About TS system SM, please correct me if I'm wrong but aren't SM initially was invented to allow a diver to have full body flexibility when he crawl through very small and tight passages in caves and minimize risk to be stuck? Just disconnect your tank push into small passage and then crawl as a snake/worm twisting/flexing your back and adapting you body shape to the cave profile, but with hard steel plate on your back you just reduce the whole SM concept? More hard surface on your body without possibility to flex it? just extra point that can increase the risk for being stuck?
What exactly is the benefit of the second (upper) backplate? Wouldn't it be possible to just wear the wing like in the backmount configuration and just add a buttpad and the bungees for the bottles to the backblate? thx!
Hi, beside ading weight, it protects the wing and prevents it from flaping around when inflated. As ther eis no tank the sides would flip up and be all over the place.
Hi, no such think as hip weights! Weight should distributed on the back through a backplate with the weight needed and if needed a P-weight. Ditchable weight is a kind of weired idea from ancient times when people dive without bouyancy devices. if you dive a balanced rig - meaning you can swimm it up even in case of a loss of bouyancy - you do not need dropweights.
Thanks! I used to use OMS Ballast System Horizontal but I found them to be bulky. I also use trim pockets (cam bands) but never used p-weights before... doesn't seem I deal for travel but I got a wing because it can be configured.
IMHO and I am not a sidemount diver it seems like more work and not that much cheaper than buying a system for sidemount. Not knocking it just my opinion. Like your videos though.
Hi, Thanks! well it depents. A lot of divers have the components flying around, or need only an additional backplate. The other benefit is that the system "feels" very natural to most divers that are used to dive a plate - at least that was our expirience when we did "Test-Days" with different systems. If you need all parts you are right of course - no big difference.
Welp, from as far as I can say, not true. You can get tecline donut 15 for as low as 300 euros, both backplates for 100 euros maximum, and the webbing, D rings and buttplate are like 70 euros max. Commercial sidemount rigs go for minimum price of 555 euros for the tecline side 16 avenger, which was cheapest sidemount directed BCD I would consider buying, if you really wanted to get all of this from scratch. Converted to euros, prices from a little googling, converted to euros from my currency, instructor discounts added.
hm - I suggest you watch it again (maybe with tone) and then... Toddy style sidemoutn is a well established SM config not only on europe so your commend does not make much sense. Why it is not sidemount is another mystery - because then - what is sidemount (no - please dont!)
You should make a video on how to mount tanks to the system and how to route all hoses. Great Vid!!
Nice one Achim, good to see you here on youtube. I took a sidemount workshop with you back in 2013 when I was still an open water diver and thought poorly of PADI. Years later I became an IMCA recognised commercial diver and carried out a couple of long-term jobs internationally - Getting back into recreational diving I build my own sidemount harness and used your knowledge and this video combined with my commercial diving training and setup to facilitate for a full-face setup and if needed surface supplied capability. Although not as streamlined as yours it was important for me to have my setup adjustable with a lift strap and double crutch strap (as I am used to these harnesses from work). I basically just wanted to reach out to say "hi" and thank you for taking me on back in 2013 as a non-technical diver at the time and teaching me the first safe practices. Stay well and all the best.
Good going. I did a similar setup once. Just had a thinner plate made from stainless to cover the 38Lb wing. that worked well too. But I prefer using a soft pack setup now as it gives me more flexability in the water, and is easier for my back. No I don't go caving, just open water.
Great video, well thought out .
Thank you for this. I know this video has been out there for a long time now, but I am fairly new to diving and exploring a side mount class. I don't want to drop $800 or more on yet another BCD without trying it first, so this is perfect. I do have a question; I modified your instructions slightly and used a continuous piece of webbing starting with the bottom of the shoulder straps on the front plate. It seems to work well but wanted to ask if you know of any issues with that modification before I go dive it? Thanks again for all of the great information, this is one of my favorite channels!
Great video
Hi, great videos and thanks for educating, especially the newbies like me. I have a question on looping the bungee over the tanks like Toddy does? I am wanting to use both tank with same standard valve like in Toddy’s video but the loop wraps over my hoses an also comes off from the tank when I am in the water with the knobs pointing forward. A video on this detail will really help. Thanks in advance for your support!
Great video, love the modularity of the setup! Would it be possible to get the manufacturer and model of the butt plate?
Question because the straps hold down the wing how much pressure do you feel on the body when the wing is inflated ? I like the Idea that with a little modification it could also be used as a single tank back plate Thanks
Hi. I am interested to hear about how the inflation and deflation of the wing goes. Seems like since it is cinched by the webbing you will not be able to inflate the wing properly. Also, when you deflate, some areas are prone to air traps, again due to the webbing technically cinching the donut.
I like the backside backplate (4:30 and on)... from the ones I’ve seen so far, it’s my favorite at least when it comes to the punched holes on the outside. They are so many and I definitely like having choices for adjustments and tryouts. Who’s the manufacturer?
Greetings from Lower Bavaria and thanks a lot for the impressions... and your answer in advance 😃.
solid love it .... Thanks for sharing
Hello, I use a similar SCUBAPRO system but all the straps are fixed on the inner plate for air circulation in the wing (donut). For your concept, does the air circulate well? Do straps not block the air in the wing (donut)?
Have you had any issues with galvanic corrosion with the long term use of ali steel combination.
How do you think this setup would fare with an STA for single tank use? Seems like it could do both side mount and single tank pretty well. I do see one might need a washer spacer to offset where the top strap crosses the back backplate.
Great job!
What is the main reason to choose for such a setup?
Hello
Does someone knows what « glue » should be used on dump valve disk (when replacing cord for exemple) ?
Hello A.S. My question is now. Looking at the volume of a single tank wing will it not be restricted between the two backplate. Asking this as a double wing all air volume is outside the backplate, only looking at the shape. Looking at a single tanke some volume will be inside the backplate.
What is the benefit of webbing 2 bp together
is it wrong if you just bolt both BPs, with the one on your back with the harness, and the rear one with buttplate ?
I can see a snag issue but can you feel that ?
What backplate had the skull, sword, and crossbone? Have you ever considered making a Jon line? I doubt this is something you would even use, seeing as it's a crutch and as a diver you should be able to maintain depth, but thought one made from Paracord would be interesting. If so, can you make a video on how you would make it?
Hi, the plate was a presnt from a student a couple of years ago. You are right I do not use jonlines as - if the current is too strong to stay at the line effortless I prefer to do a drifting deco and therfore have no issues with the current at all. But that is again a bit of a philosophy. Generally speaking - deco should be as relaxed as possible :)
why have the wingnuts on the side against your back ?
Great video! How is during diving? I am thinking to buy sidemount system, but now, maybe only with other steel plate is enough
Thanks for your videos
thanks for share sir..
That's interesting, you didn't use the same Scubapro back plates you tore out of the plastic for the actual assembly.
question: in your video about attaching boltsnaps you nicely explain why metal to metal connections should be avoided. shouldn't therefore the bunge rather be connected with line to the upper backplate? i mean especially in sidemount which is used to swim through tight places you wouldn't want that safety screwing carrabiner to get stuck. thx!
Well - interessting point. for me the carrabiner is part of the backplate and the bungee is the connection to the tank and it is cutable, matal to metal would be if I attach a boltsnap to the tank with a hoseclamp and then clip the boltsnap to that carrabiner.
I hope this makes sense.
Hi, I'm sub. on your videos and found them really useful.
About TS system SM, please correct me if I'm wrong but aren't SM initially was invented to allow a diver to have full body flexibility when he crawl through very small and tight passages in caves and minimize risk to be stuck? Just disconnect your tank push into small passage and then crawl as a snake/worm twisting/flexing your back and adapting you body shape to the cave profile, but with hard steel plate on your back you just reduce the whole SM concept? More hard surface on your body without possibility to flex it? just extra point that can increase the risk for being stuck?
Yes and no... Even with this setup you have a lot less volume on your back (the tank is missing...)
with the shortened corrugated hose, how do you clip of/on the IP hose in case you need to?
Looks great but doesn't the wing nuts dig into your back?
Not convinced but would like to try the rig in the water and be proved otherwise.
What exactly is the benefit of the second (upper) backplate? Wouldn't it be possible to just wear the wing like in the backmount configuration and just add a buttpad and the bungees for the bottles to the backblate? thx!
Hi, beside ading weight, it protects the wing and prevents it from flaping around when inflated. As ther eis no tank the sides would flip up and be all over the place.
aaaa I didn't think about that! thanks!
Would you suggest integrated hip weight pockets? With my single wing I usually take 10Kg and an aluminum backplate. What do you use for dump weights?
Hi, no such think as hip weights! Weight should distributed on the back through a backplate with the weight needed and if needed a P-weight. Ditchable weight is a kind of weired idea from ancient times when people dive without bouyancy devices. if you dive a balanced rig - meaning you can swimm it up even in case of a loss of bouyancy - you do not need dropweights.
Thanks! I used to use OMS Ballast System Horizontal but I found them to be bulky. I also use trim pockets (cam bands) but never used p-weights before... doesn't seem I deal for travel but I got a wing because it can be configured.
Great🤙
Why do you remove the dump valve pull tab?
Because it is a snag hazard, get it caught and it can rip out the entire valve. Speaking from experience on that one
IMHO and I am not a sidemount diver it seems like more work and not that much cheaper than buying a system for sidemount. Not knocking it just my opinion. Like your videos though.
Hi, Thanks!
well it depents. A lot of divers have the components flying around, or need only an additional backplate. The other benefit is that the system "feels" very natural to most divers that are used to dive a plate - at least that was our expirience when we did "Test-Days" with different systems. If you need all parts you are right of course - no big difference.
Welp, from as far as I can say, not true. You can get tecline donut 15 for as low as 300 euros, both backplates for 100 euros maximum, and the webbing, D rings and buttplate are like 70 euros max. Commercial sidemount rigs go for minimum price of 555 euros for the tecline side 16 avenger, which was cheapest sidemount directed BCD I would consider buying, if you really wanted to get all of this from scratch. Converted to euros, prices from a little googling, converted to euros from my currency, instructor discounts added.
What is the purpose of cutting the knob off the kidney dump?
Snag hazard
@@Robert_H_Diver nonsense
@@TheLoosenit2 ok buddy
Thanks for the video! It looks like you could fairly easily add a STA if you wanted to quickly switch back to to a back mount system?
Tom what is an STA?
Single tank adapter
this is your personal configuration, but this is not sidemount.....
hm - I suggest you watch it again (maybe with tone) and then... Toddy style sidemoutn is a well established SM config not only on europe so your commend does not make much sense. Why it is not sidemount is another mystery - because then - what is sidemount (no - please dont!)
Great video