Great Video as usual Bryan, very informative. Glad to see you have come to love the Mares sidemount system, mares is top line products, and for all watching this video this guy is a top notch teacher extremely patient and knowledgeable enough to have many way to teach the same technique .
I have just been learning side mount now for 2 weeks, 5 dives so long way to go but love it. I have the Apex WSX 25. Here in Playa Del Carmen now for 3 months. Cenotes, Cozemel and Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Love it. Really enjoy your info and expertise, thanks
Bryan: I use loop bungees when I sidemount, and can assure you that you do not need left/right handed valves: any old tank valves will absolutely work. It's a bit nicer with a correctly-handed valve with an extra-long post, but I've heard this same line from many sidemount divers and it just needs to die. You don't need specific valves. In fact, you should probably be teaching your sidemount students on a variety of different valves in order to show them the differences, why we prefer left/right handed-valves, but also how to make any old valve work. This would make them into more well-rounded divers and make their lives way easier while travelling to dive.
I had noticed you kept diving that Diamond subgravity rig for a while after the Mares rig came out and wondered if you just didn't like it. I set up my SM pretty much the same way except the wing. My wing is WAY different. Do you ever use steel for sidemount? I'm considering it for SMing dry.
Hello K B, I still have my Diamond rig. To be honest, I had high hopes for the Mares XR Pure Sidemount, but was disappointed at first. I typically do not like having to make major modifications to a system that should be ready to go out of the box, but in this case I did. It has grown on me in the last two years, and I have sold several of them. The biggest issue I had with the Subgravity Diamond 2.0 was the straps. There were not very comfortable at all. Its still a bullet proof system though. I occasionally will dive it, especially when a student wants to try my Mares Rig.
@@gnoahg5456 Even mares has one with a 5th port though. I disagree with his bungee for on his bolt snap. It will wear down over time unlike paracord he just needs to upgrade to something like the XDeep large bolt snap. Work great even with thick gloves.
Hello Savage, thanks for the comment. As explained in the video, I prefer a longer low pressure hose so that I can extend the tank out further without the need to disconnect the hose for tighter penetrations. And Mares have several other regulators that work great for Sidemount as well. The XR 75X and the XR 28X are great options as well. As far as X Deep, I currently own an X Deep Sidemount system as well. One perk of working in the industry is, you get to play and purchase a ton of gear. I also own a SubGravity Diamond 2.0 and fixing to purchase a ScubaForce Tech Blade to add to the collection.
@@LakeHickoryScuba I personally dive the Xdeep Tec RB because of the high flow caves we have here in Florida. I prefer their bolt snaps heavily because of how easy they are to use with gloves with my drysuit. With that being said when I do need to remove my tanks for no mount diving I have never had an issue with my LPI being too short unless I'm doing some very advanced penetration that I have only done a couple of times in the wrecks here offshore. I will say from personal experience I run an 8mm bungee instead of a 6mm bungee on my tanks just because once in a while I do run the lp85 with Florida fills. I also personally like having 2 separate bungee loops systems instead of 1 due to there being on failure point resulting in both tank attachment issues. Why don't you just use 2 bungees for the inflator? That is what I personally use and think its a better system than a bolt snap especially if it gets caught on something the bungee will release itself. I haven't had any experience with the mares but I have a good amount with XDeep and Razor and i primarily dive XDeep because when you connect the bladder to yourself it hugs you're body making it even more streamline and compact.
Sounds like the X Deep is a great system for you. That is the beauty of Sidemount, it can be adapted to fit anyone, in any configuration. Happy diving.
Great video, as always. Never dove sidemount, but a few people have suggested it. How do the WetNotes work? I've only ever used the hard dive slates. Does it use something like RiteInTheRain paper, or something else?
Hello Ryan Lantta, wetnotes are typically made of waterproof paper, we will call it plastic for argument sake. The graphite pencil can be replaced with a standard pencil if you lose it. Some wetnotes are reusable, and some you discard after use. The outer shell is usually made of nylon.
@@LakeHickoryScuba thanks! For the reusable stuff, how do you erase what was written? With the hard slates, I usually use Mr Clean Magic Erasers, which work wonders.
Hello Tyler Bick. Aluminum cylinders work fine for me. The weight is perfect in both wetsuits and dry suits. And they are available all over the world.
For those who actually read the comments Certainly not that I'm anybody special But I disagree with a lot of briain's particular set up And I only say that to say this I personally consider Brian a dear friend And a amazing instructor Even in that side mount configuration...lol... On a serious note My point is to hope to encourage more people to take up side mount For the massive benefits For your safety and enjoyability of diving Please don't let some fancy dir guy Tell you There's only one way To do something Side mountain diving is a tool That can expand your journey in the Underwater world
Hey David, we seriously need to plan another trip together. My schedule is so packed right now, catching up on classes that were rescheduled due to Covid, and we are slammed with salvage jobs, I definitely need my Sidemount Buddy to dive with. May plan a trip sometime in February to hit some caves again or some deep wrecks with out any students if you are interested. You know how to reach me.
"Working Double-ender", "Working Double-ender", "Working Double-ender"... What "work" do they do? They're simply just "double-enders", as oppose to a "single-ended" snap bolt. LOL!
Hello Pinnacle diving Company PDC, that is a great question, and one that we cover in depth in our Sidemount Course. As a commercial diving company as well, we routinely use double enders for many task, outside of the typical uses in traditional scuba. The term comes from the versatility the double ender has. Double enders are dynamic by nature similar to a dynamic O-ring. They can be used for many applications, compared to the standard bolt-snap, which is usually attached in a static position. Thus, we do not call the working bolt-snaps.
![Back Mount vs Sidemount {[My Biased Opinion]}](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/M0OpJSzf948/mqdefault.jpg)
![Reels-Spools-SMBs-DSMBs {[How Do I Rig Them]}](/img/n.gif)
Great Video as usual Bryan, very informative. Glad to see you have come to love the Mares sidemount system, mares is top line products, and for all watching this video this guy is a top notch teacher extremely patient and knowledgeable enough to have many way to teach the same technique .
Thanks for the kind words scott young.
I have just been learning side mount now for 2 weeks, 5 dives so long way to go but love it. I have the Apex WSX 25. Here in Playa Del Carmen now for 3 months. Cenotes, Cozemel and Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
Love it. Really enjoy your info and expertise, thanks
You're welcome Robert Meade, glad you find our videos helpful. Enjoy your time in the Cenotes, they are always beautiful.
Bryan: I use loop bungees when I sidemount, and can assure you that you do not need left/right handed valves: any old tank valves will absolutely work. It's a bit nicer with a correctly-handed valve with an extra-long post, but I've heard this same line from many sidemount divers and it just needs to die. You don't need specific valves. In fact, you should probably be teaching your sidemount students on a variety of different valves in order to show them the differences, why we prefer left/right handed-valves, but also how to make any old valve work. This would make them into more well-rounded divers and make their lives way easier while travelling to dive.
You are absolutely correct René Enguehard. However, convenience means a lot to an old salty diver like myself.
Thanks for sharing bryan! I always look forward to your videos!!
You are very welcome Matt Clarke, glad to hear you like our videos.
Great video. Always enjoy watching. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Lessenberry, glad you liked it.
Very cool info . It’s always nice to see how other divers set up their equipment. Some good ideas . Ty
You're welcome Jeff muha, glad you liked the video.
Pretty interesting... But, are you Mares commercial ? 😄
Hello @michelbonnet584, we do sell Mares at our Dive Center.
I had noticed you kept diving that Diamond subgravity rig for a while after the Mares rig came out and wondered if you just didn't like it.
I set up my SM pretty much the same way except the wing. My wing is WAY different. Do you ever use steel for sidemount? I'm considering it for SMing dry.
Hello K B, I still have my Diamond rig. To be honest, I had high hopes for the Mares XR Pure Sidemount, but was disappointed at first. I typically do not like having to make major modifications to a system that should be ready to go out of the box, but in this case I did. It has grown on me in the last two years, and I have sold several of them. The biggest issue I had with the Subgravity Diamond 2.0 was the straps. There were not very comfortable at all. Its still a bullet proof system though. I occasionally will dive it, especially when a student wants to try my Mares Rig.
Why aren’t you using a first stage with a bottom fifth port for the inflator hose? Could save you a lot of hose length
Because he uses mares lol
@@gnoahg5456 Even mares has one with a 5th port though. I disagree with his bungee for on his bolt snap. It will wear down over time unlike paracord he just needs to upgrade to something like the XDeep large bolt snap. Work great even with thick gloves.
Hello Savage, thanks for the comment. As explained in the video, I prefer a longer low pressure hose so that I can extend the tank out further without the need to disconnect the hose for tighter penetrations. And Mares have several other regulators that work great for Sidemount as well. The XR 75X and the XR 28X are great options as well. As far as X Deep, I currently own an X Deep Sidemount system as well. One perk of working in the industry is, you get to play and purchase a ton of gear. I also own a SubGravity Diamond 2.0 and fixing to purchase a ScubaForce Tech Blade to add to the collection.
@@LakeHickoryScuba I personally dive the Xdeep Tec RB because of the high flow caves we have here in Florida. I prefer their bolt snaps heavily because of how easy they are to use with gloves with my drysuit. With that being said when I do need to remove my tanks for no mount diving I have never had an issue with my LPI being too short unless I'm doing some very advanced penetration that I have only done a couple of times in the wrecks here offshore. I will say from personal experience I run an 8mm bungee instead of a 6mm bungee on my tanks just because once in a while I do run the lp85 with Florida fills. I also personally like having 2 separate bungee loops systems instead of 1 due to there being on failure point resulting in both tank attachment issues. Why don't you just use 2 bungees for the inflator? That is what I personally use and think its a better system than a bolt snap especially if it gets caught on something the bungee will release itself. I haven't had any experience with the mares but I have a good amount with XDeep and Razor and i primarily dive XDeep because when you connect the bladder to yourself it hugs you're body making it even more streamline and compact.
Sounds like the X Deep is a great system for you. That is the beauty of Sidemount, it can be adapted to fit anyone, in any configuration. Happy diving.
Great video, as always. Never dove sidemount, but a few people have suggested it. How do the WetNotes work? I've only ever used the hard dive slates. Does it use something like RiteInTheRain paper, or something else?
Hello Ryan Lantta, wetnotes are typically made of waterproof paper, we will call it plastic for argument sake. The graphite pencil can be replaced with a standard pencil if you lose it. Some wetnotes are reusable, and some you discard after use. The outer shell is usually made of nylon.
@@LakeHickoryScuba thanks! For the reusable stuff, how do you erase what was written? With the hard slates, I usually use Mr Clean Magic Erasers, which work wonders.
I use either a Magic Eraser or Brillo Pad
I have a question is the ocean reef mercury new comms unit compatible with the ocean reef extender. Thanks Bob
Hello bob Wilson, it sure it.
Can I ask why aluminum tanks? I'm new to sidemount but everyone seems to swear by steel tanks with less lead.
Hello Tyler Bick. Aluminum cylinders work fine for me. The weight is perfect in both wetsuits and dry suits. And they are available all over the world.
For those who actually read the comments Certainly not that I'm anybody special But I disagree with a lot of briain's particular set up And I only say that to say this I personally consider Brian a dear friend And a amazing instructor Even in that side mount configuration...lol... On a serious note My point is to hope to encourage more people to take up side mount For the massive benefits For your safety and enjoyability of diving Please don't let some fancy dir guy Tell you There's only one way To do something Side mountain diving is a tool That can expand your journey in the Underwater world
Hey David, we seriously need to plan another trip together. My schedule is so packed right now, catching up on classes that were rescheduled due to Covid, and we are slammed with salvage jobs, I definitely need my Sidemount Buddy to dive with. May plan a trip sometime in February to hit some caves again or some deep wrecks with out any students if you are interested. You know how to reach me.
@@LakeHickoryScuba i appreciate that. I'm always ready. You say when and where ill be on the way. 👌
Can you give me a contact for that name tag please
Hello Josh Rowland, use this link. www.etsy.com/shop/Broider?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=846207881
"Working Double-ender", "Working Double-ender", "Working Double-ender"... What "work" do they do? They're simply just "double-enders", as oppose to a "single-ended" snap bolt. LOL!
Hello Pinnacle diving Company PDC, that is a great question, and one that we cover in depth in our Sidemount Course. As a commercial diving company as well, we routinely use double enders for many task, outside of the typical uses in traditional scuba. The term comes from the versatility the double ender has. Double enders are dynamic by nature similar to a dynamic O-ring. They can be used for many applications, compared to the standard bolt-snap, which is usually attached in a static position. Thus, we do not call the working bolt-snaps.