Xdeep with ring bungee system. Allows me to clip on while on a boat or surface if I choose. Any decent charter should be happy to hand you your tanks. You can also sit down on the edge, set up, and side/back roll in. Too many options.
XDeep makes some amazing gear as well. Normally here locally, our charters are more than happy to hand our cylinders down to us. During our recent trip though, several days the seas were to crazy to do it safely.
@@LakeHickoryScuba been there. Another option is to clip them to a line and lower them to the driver, or clip them to a buoy, or put them on on the boat and step/roll in. I do #3 in that case but I've heard of all three. One of the reasons the hard attachment comes in handy
The other option is a safety clip (basically take the paracord and put a normal bolt snap at the end), which accomplishes the same thing but is meant to be on the tank at all times. It even makes donning on a spring easier too, clip the safety clip and you take the weight of the cylinder off your arms and can just concentrate on getting the bottom snap on. Another thing that sidemount divers want to consider while boat diving is the width of their system. On the common Newton dive special that has the table in the middle of the deck, you may want to set your gear up so you don't have to shuffle past it. You have similar considerations on boats with smaller doors. This may seem like a minor annoyance for some, but when you deal with currents or hot drops you don't want to have to deal with your tanks banging into things.
I like this new opening much better. I am a Sidemount diver convert like you mentioned. I am not interested in cave diving but I do enjoy the benefits of having it in open water. I use the XDeep Sidemount system. I also have the safety loops on the tanks as mentioned. The boat diving I have done was not from an elevated deck like you showed in the video. The deck to step off of was a lot closer to the water. I did not need to use he double enders for the entry. Exiting the water is was good to have them. Using the double enders is also useful for when you need to fully remove a tank. The tank can be clipped off to the front D ring giving full access to the tank.
X Deep makes great gear as well. I still prefer to place my cylinders in the water first then take my time getting in and setting up my system. Unfortunately, on these boat dives I couldn't do that. Glad you like the new intro.
I'm just about to make the plunge for sidemount and it looks like I need more deep knee squats in order to carry 2 tanks up the boat ladder (if not passed up) and I was glad to see you exiting with the regulator in your mouth, probably even more important when hauling 2 tanks up the ladder in case you slip backwards.
1:28 sec in: Actually, yes, indeed, you can jump off a boat, roll off a boat, and climb back in, with your tanks on in that configuration. We do it all the time here in Japan. All you need to do is add a small loop of 550 cord to each side that goes around the tank valve at the neck. Just big enough to go over the handle, then over the valve itself, and come down around the neck. You put this on right before you install your 1st stages, at the beginning when you're dressing your tanks before the dive. Last, add a double ender to each side. Clip the double ender to the 550 cord, and the other end to your shoulder D-ring. Regardless of whether you leave the bungee around the neck or not, the double ender provides a hard-mounted attachment to your harness. Leave the bottom of the tanks clipped off to your waist or rails, and climb aboard the boat. Easy. If you don't like double enders for whatever reason, then simply make your 550 cord neck loops with a single ended snap bolt attached to it. Either way is ok. Regardless, saying you can't use a bungee setup for boat entries and exists is inaccurate. Here are a few helpful videos to show how this all works. They are not mine, but they're very good at showing different techniques. th-cam.com/video/ghYYz59TdZQ/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/45tzejwce00/w-d-xo.html The DiveRite Ring System is HORRIBLE. I would never recommend that to anyone.
3:46 in: Ok. You talk about the same thing. Good. LOL! The two videos linked in the initial reply above show many great ways this setup works very well for boats.
I have this system in place but I've found that it's not really needed, I've jumped in and exited many times with just the bungees securing the top of the tank without any problem. I keep the cords on in case a bungee should fail underwater so I can clip it off if needed or if conditions are really rough when exiting.
Thanks for the previous suggestion on the other video! Again great suggestion! I do the same and also use a cave configuration, but instead a double ender and a closed loop Paracord, I just use a butterfly bolt snap fixed on the Paracord for entries... My current equip is a Hollis Katana 2 with Y config. My biggest doubt is how to climb back to boat on heavy seas... Any suggestion apart from strong arms and legs hehe or giving it to boat crew!?
Hello Mr. Felipe Hikari, the struggle is real. Powering through and staying close to the ladder as you climb is the easiest way to do it with cylinders on your side. Ideally of course, handing up the cylinders is suggested, but not always possible in rough seas. One option I have used in the past is to have an extra down line / stern line, with multiple cylinder attachments, where Sidemount Divers can attach cylinders too, just prior to exiting. Once they clip off their cylinders they can very easily swim to the ladder and exit without the cylinders as well. Then the line can slowly be pulled up, removing each cylinder as they come to it.
So i see what you've done, but wouldn't using a stage rig with a bolt snap attached at both the neck of the cylinder and the band to even out more of the load of the tank when out of the water? Something that looks like the dive rite travel stage straps as I see you're using tank bands.
Hello JRSOB, this is a great question. It is all personal preference to the individual diver. For me personally, a lot of the load is still balanced between my hips and shoulders. The cordage holding the bolt snap on at my hips is short enough that it transfers some of the weight to my hips.
Hey, love your videos and thanks for all the great info. On another vid, you switched to using bungee with your tank bands and i wanted to know if the bungee affects you exiting with tanks, i.e. up a ladder like you do at end id this video? Also, did you just make a small loop out of paracord that loops over your tank valve or did you secure it with something else? I can't tell from your video and am looking to set up my rig similarly for travel down to Playa del Carmen cuz i want to dive both cenotes and open ocean off boat.
Hello Brian Nash, the paracord is simply looped and tied in a knot. This gives me something to clip to for entry and exits. I definitely prefer the bungees for securing tanks while underwater as they are easy to use and they help with compensating when tanks shift underwater.
As a sidemount diver, I find that there are many who frown upon diving sidemount from a boat. I have yet to discover a legitimate reason for this other than, “it was never meant for boat diving”. Or “sidemount divers have a harder time diving from boats”. I have not seen or experienced this in person myself and often find that DM’s spend more time helping back mounted doubles divers get in and out of their rigs than anyone else. Is the dive community so stuck in its ways that being open to another way of doing things is not an option? Are they truly diving with people who struggle or is it an us versus them mentality. To be clear, I have never been shamed on a boat for diving sidemount, but there has definitely been raised nose hear and there. And boat crews tend to watch my every move until they realize I’m not the one they have to worry about.
Hello Family Scuba, the struggle is real sometimes. I can remember back in the day before Nitrox was mainstream. The looks and rude remarks I would get from crews when I showed up with Nitrox bottles. I will state this, sometimes the operators who are unfamiliar with particular systems get nervous due to insurance concerns. Most insurance companies strongly encourage operators to verify a paying divers experience with a system before they allow them to dive from their vessel. As divers, we are simply guest on a charter vessel, we still have to abide by their rules. This of course is why we pick and choose the operators we dive with.
@@LakeHickoryScuba thanks for the reply. I had not considered liability concerns from boat operators. That has never come up on boats I have been on. Everyone else, doesn’t make sense.
What are your thought of using sidemount for relatively shallow rough water like NorCal? I'm curious to try, but not sure how compatible or appropriate it is with the style of diving we usually do. We are generally more concerned with being able being fast, agile, and to stabilize ourselves (often wedged in the reef) against high surge conditions, often trying to collect scientific measurements or observations. Most divers want better trim, I'm just not sure yet if this is a good option. Another issue is that we often need to do rocky surf entries, but I'm more thinking of when we're going off boats. Anyway, I get a lot out of your vids and your great attitude, thanks!
I personally wouldn't want to deal with going through surf/surge with a sidemount system. That is another case where backmounted doubles would be better. Though going through surf/surge with doubles isn't going to be fun either.
@@Teampegleg Thanks for that reply. I was more thinking about if it makes sense to dive doubles in rough water even from a boat. But yeah, I guess in that case back mounted doubles would be better, and easier to adjust from diving single tank. Cheers!
Hello John Harreld, as with any setup, whether it is practical for the environment or for the diver using it should be the biggest concern. Personally for me, if the environmental conditions are not suitable for Sidemount, then I would stick with back mount. This of course all depends on your entry method, and how you rig your Sidemount system.
Why would you want to climb up the ladder with tanks. Better to dof in the water and hand them to the boat crew or clip to a rope that you later haul in.
Hello Bert van Leeuwen, for the most part yes, removing the cylinders first is ideal. There are certain situations where we prefer to just climb the latter with them. Environmental concerns is the biggest reason. Depending on how rough the seas are that day, is what really makes a difference. In our experience though, we have found that climbing the latter with the cylinders still attached is really no different than climbing the latter with the cylinders on our backs.
Sidemount doesn't have the weakpoint of the manifold, so it has greater redundancy. Sidemount is lower profile vertically so you can go through some restrictions like a bedding plane much more easily than backmount. Sidemount doesn't require you to carry more than one tank at a time if you don't want to. Sidemount can be done with two normal tanks, while backmount requires banks, new valves, and a manifold. Sidemount is harder to gear up with. Sidemount is wider so it is harder to get through some narrow passages or go through doors on wrecks that are sunk up right. Sidemount often means having to take multiple trips to get your gear into and out of the water. Sidemount is very finicky, what works for one diver may not work for another. Which means if often requires instruction to do it well, while you can get a backmount system pretty much 99% setup and in trim from a short guide. Sidemount makes it harder to stash all your gear, as most of your belt is dedicated to your tanks.
Hello Jess, as with any type of set up, Sidemount will have both pros and cons. Since you specifically asked about the advantages, the 3 most common advantages for Sidemount are: 1. Redundancy that can be dealt with in front of you instead of behind you. If you have a first stage malfunction, you can see it with out having to remove the system. You also have another complete Air Delivery System as a back up in the event you had to shut down one post or the other. This redundancy can be removed to assist another diver in an out of air emergency as well. 2. Some would hate to admit this next part, but Sidemount allows you to cheat when it comes to trim. By moving the cylinders from your back to your side, it places them in a better position across you body's natural fulcrum point, thus forcing your body into perfect trim. 3. And another great benefit with Sidemount, with proper training, it allows easier access to what would be impenetrable environments.....................Oh and in my case, I have back issues, after years of sitting in a Patrol Car with a gun belt digging into my lower back, or years of carrying cylinders on my back as a dive Instructor, Sidemount allows me to remove this weight while in the water. Thus, protecting my back from unnecessary abuse. Hope this helps.
@@LakeHickoryScuba Thanks. I might try sidemount one of these days but I am not a technical diver and I have would rather to stick recreational diving. I don't won't to go pass no decompression limits.
A fix to a system like yours ..hummmm Side note found an Easter egg in this particular video....lol... And a beautiful woman in a ......dive right....... BCD
EASTER EGG, SHHHHHHH, it has to remain a secret for a few more days. I enjoyed diving with you and Kadi. It was fun. Looking forward to doing it again.
Great video Bryan. Here is a not the great video that illustrates your method in detail: th-cam.com/video/45tzejwce00/w-d-xo.html Cheers, #SeattleRingHunter
![Teaching The Sidemount Course {[Commentary]}](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/HCh-tpx30kg/mqdefault.jpg)
![Teaching The Sidemount Course {[Commentary]}](/img/tr.png)
![🎤 ไปกันต่อออ! จับฉลากร้องเพลง x P’ #XXSIVK [EP.2] (1/2) เพลงของใครจึ้งสุดน้าา 💓🎤 #MXFRUIT](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/mLI_K0sAS4o/mqdefault.jpg)
![Back Mount vs Sidemount {[My Biased Opinion]}](/img/n.gif)
Thanks for changing the intro music! Good info for sidemount diving!
You're welcome NCLong, glad you like the new intro.
Xdeep with ring bungee system. Allows me to clip on while on a boat or surface if I choose.
Any decent charter should be happy to hand you your tanks. You can also sit down on the edge, set up, and side/back roll in. Too many options.
XDeep makes some amazing gear as well. Normally here locally, our charters are more than happy to hand our cylinders down to us. During our recent trip though, several days the seas were to crazy to do it safely.
@@LakeHickoryScuba been there. Another option is to clip them to a line and lower them to the driver, or clip them to a buoy, or put them on on the boat and step/roll in. I do #3 in that case but I've heard of all three. One of the reasons the hard attachment comes in handy
love the new music. i have the Dive Rite Nomad XT. have not got the chance a chance to dive it yet. hope to get to a pool to play soon.
Hello b st john, I dove a Dive Rite system for several years, great gear.
The other option is a safety clip (basically take the paracord and put a normal bolt snap at the end), which accomplishes the same thing but is meant to be on the tank at all times. It even makes donning on a spring easier too, clip the safety clip and you take the weight of the cylinder off your arms and can just concentrate on getting the bottom snap on.
Another thing that sidemount divers want to consider while boat diving is the width of their system. On the common Newton dive special that has the table in the middle of the deck, you may want to set your gear up so you don't have to shuffle past it. You have similar considerations on boats with smaller doors. This may seem like a minor annoyance for some, but when you deal with currents or hot drops you don't want to have to deal with your tanks banging into things.
All very true. I leave the para-cord on the tanks at all times, but have dual purpose for my double-enders.
I like this new opening much better.
I am a Sidemount diver convert like you mentioned. I am not interested in cave diving but I do enjoy the benefits of having it in open water. I use the XDeep Sidemount system. I also have the safety loops on the tanks as mentioned. The boat diving I have done was not from an elevated deck like you showed in the video. The deck to step off of was a lot closer to the water. I did not need to use he double enders for the entry. Exiting the water is was good to have them.
Using the double enders is also useful for when you need to fully remove a tank. The tank can be clipped off to the front D ring giving full access to the tank.
X Deep makes great gear as well. I still prefer to place my cylinders in the water first then take my time getting in and setting up my system. Unfortunately, on these boat dives I couldn't do that. Glad you like the new intro.
I'm just about to make the plunge for sidemount and it looks like I need more deep knee squats in order to carry 2 tanks up the boat ladder (if not passed up) and I was glad to see you exiting with the regulator in your mouth, probably even more important when hauling 2 tanks up the ladder in case you slip backwards.
Thanks Hojo in SC.
1:28 sec in: Actually, yes, indeed, you can jump off a boat, roll off a boat, and climb back in, with your tanks on in that configuration. We do it all the time here in Japan. All you need to do is add a small loop of 550 cord to each side that goes around the tank valve at the neck. Just big enough to go over the handle, then over the valve itself, and come down around the neck. You put this on right before you install your 1st stages, at the beginning when you're dressing your tanks before the dive. Last, add a double ender to each side. Clip the double ender to the 550 cord, and the other end to your shoulder D-ring. Regardless of whether you leave the bungee around the neck or not, the double ender provides a hard-mounted attachment to your harness. Leave the bottom of the tanks clipped off to your waist or rails, and climb aboard the boat. Easy. If you don't like double enders for whatever reason, then simply make your 550 cord neck loops with a single ended snap bolt attached to it. Either way is ok. Regardless, saying you can't use a bungee setup for boat entries and exists is inaccurate.
Here are a few helpful videos to show how this all works. They are not mine, but they're very good at showing different techniques.
th-cam.com/video/ghYYz59TdZQ/w-d-xo.html
and
th-cam.com/video/45tzejwce00/w-d-xo.html
The DiveRite Ring System is HORRIBLE. I would never recommend that to anyone.
3:46 in: Ok. You talk about the same thing. Good. LOL! The two videos linked in the initial reply above show many great ways this setup works very well for boats.
Hello Pinnacle Diving Company PDC, thanks for sharing the videos with us.
I have this system in place but I've found that it's not really needed, I've jumped in and exited many times with just the bungees securing the top of the tank without any problem. I keep the cords on in case a bungee should fail underwater so I can clip it off if needed or if conditions are really rough when exiting.
Hello Andreas, we know several divers simply use just their bungees as well.
Thanks for the previous suggestion on the other video! Again great suggestion!
I do the same and also use a cave configuration, but instead a double ender and a closed loop Paracord, I just use a butterfly bolt snap fixed on the Paracord for entries...
My current equip is a Hollis Katana 2 with Y config.
My biggest doubt is how to climb back to boat on heavy seas... Any suggestion apart from strong arms and legs hehe or giving it to boat crew!?
Hello Mr. Felipe Hikari, the struggle is real. Powering through and staying close to the ladder as you climb is the easiest way to do it with cylinders on your side. Ideally of course, handing up the cylinders is suggested, but not always possible in rough seas. One option I have used in the past is to have an extra down line / stern line, with multiple cylinder attachments, where Sidemount Divers can attach cylinders too, just prior to exiting. Once they clip off their cylinders they can very easily swim to the ladder and exit without the cylinders as well. Then the line can slowly be pulled up, removing each cylinder as they come to it.
Would you consider making a video about marking Your dive gear ? 🙂
Hello Bjerke Franchi, we would be happy to make a video about that.
Thank you again from the uk, for such good advice and information.. inspirational as always...
You're welcome David.
Great video. You have some great ideas.. thanks for sharing
Glad you liked the video Matt Clarke.
So i see what you've done, but wouldn't using a stage rig with a bolt snap attached at both the neck of the cylinder and the band to even out more of the load of the tank when out of the water? Something that looks like the dive rite travel stage straps as I see you're using tank bands.
Hello JRSOB, this is a great question. It is all personal preference to the individual diver. For me personally, a lot of the load is still balanced between my hips and shoulders. The cordage holding the bolt snap on at my hips is short enough that it transfers some of the weight to my hips.
Hey, love your videos and thanks for all the great info. On another vid, you switched to using bungee with your tank bands and i wanted to know if the bungee affects you exiting with tanks, i.e. up a ladder like you do at end id this video?
Also, did you just make a small loop out of paracord that loops over your tank valve or did you secure it with something else? I can't tell from your video and am looking to set up my rig similarly for travel down to Playa del Carmen cuz i want to dive both cenotes and open ocean off boat.
Hello Brian Nash, the paracord is simply looped and tied in a knot. This gives me something to clip to for entry and exits. I definitely prefer the bungees for securing tanks while underwater as they are easy to use and they help with compensating when tanks shift underwater.
Learned a lot great into
Thanks Ivory Johnson.
As a sidemount diver, I find that there are many who frown upon diving sidemount from a boat. I have yet to discover a legitimate reason for this other than, “it was never meant for boat diving”. Or “sidemount divers have a harder time diving from boats”. I have not seen or experienced this in person myself and often find that DM’s spend more time helping back mounted doubles divers get in and out of their rigs than anyone else. Is the dive community so stuck in its ways that being open to another way of doing things is not an option? Are they truly diving with people who struggle or is it an us versus them mentality. To be clear, I have never been shamed on a boat for diving sidemount, but there has definitely been raised nose hear and there. And boat crews tend to watch my every move until they realize I’m not the one they have to worry about.
Hello Family Scuba, the struggle is real sometimes. I can remember back in the day before Nitrox was mainstream. The looks and rude remarks I would get from crews when I showed up with Nitrox bottles. I will state this, sometimes the operators who are unfamiliar with particular systems get nervous due to insurance concerns. Most insurance companies strongly encourage operators to verify a paying divers experience with a system before they allow them to dive from their vessel. As divers, we are simply guest on a charter vessel, we still have to abide by their rules. This of course is why we pick and choose the operators we dive with.
@@LakeHickoryScuba thanks for the reply. I had not considered liability concerns from boat operators. That has never come up on boats I have been on. Everyone else, doesn’t make sense.
What are your thought of using sidemount for relatively shallow rough water like NorCal? I'm curious to try, but not sure how compatible or appropriate it is with the style of diving we usually do. We are generally more concerned with being able being fast, agile, and to stabilize ourselves (often wedged in the reef) against high surge conditions, often trying to collect scientific measurements or observations. Most divers want better trim, I'm just not sure yet if this is a good option. Another issue is that we often need to do rocky surf entries, but I'm more thinking of when we're going off boats. Anyway, I get a lot out of your vids and your great attitude, thanks!
I personally wouldn't want to deal with going through surf/surge with a sidemount system. That is another case where backmounted doubles would be better. Though going through surf/surge with doubles isn't going to be fun either.
@@Teampegleg Thanks for that reply. I was more thinking about if it makes sense to dive doubles in rough water even from a boat. But yeah, I guess in that case back mounted doubles would be better, and easier to adjust from diving single tank. Cheers!
Hello John Harreld, as with any setup, whether it is practical for the environment or for the diver using it should be the biggest concern. Personally for me, if the environmental conditions are not suitable for Sidemount, then I would stick with back mount. This of course all depends on your entry method, and how you rig your Sidemount system.
Do have a video using one tank?
Hello ramon ocasio, currently we don't have one, but will be happy to make one for you.
Why would you want to climb up the ladder with tanks. Better to dof in the water and hand them to the boat crew or clip to a rope that you later haul in.
Hello Bert van Leeuwen, for the most part yes, removing the cylinders first is ideal. There are certain situations where we prefer to just climb the latter with them. Environmental concerns is the biggest reason. Depending on how rough the seas are that day, is what really makes a difference. In our experience though, we have found that climbing the latter with the cylinders still attached is really no different than climbing the latter with the cylinders on our backs.
What are the advantages of diving sidemount vs backmount?
Sidemount doesn't have the weakpoint of the manifold, so it has greater redundancy. Sidemount is lower profile vertically so you can go through some restrictions like a bedding plane much more easily than backmount. Sidemount doesn't require you to carry more than one tank at a time if you don't want to. Sidemount can be done with two normal tanks, while backmount requires banks, new valves, and a manifold.
Sidemount is harder to gear up with. Sidemount is wider so it is harder to get through some narrow passages or go through doors on wrecks that are sunk up right. Sidemount often means having to take multiple trips to get your gear into and out of the water. Sidemount is very finicky, what works for one diver may not work for another. Which means if often requires instruction to do it well, while you can get a backmount system pretty much 99% setup and in trim from a short guide. Sidemount makes it harder to stash all your gear, as most of your belt is dedicated to your tanks.
Hello Jess, as with any type of set up, Sidemount will have both pros and cons. Since you specifically asked about the advantages, the 3 most common advantages for Sidemount are: 1. Redundancy that can be dealt with in front of you instead of behind you. If you have a first stage malfunction, you can see it with out having to remove the system. You also have another complete Air Delivery System as a back up in the event you had to shut down one post or the other. This redundancy can be removed to assist another diver in an out of air emergency as well. 2. Some would hate to admit this next part, but Sidemount allows you to cheat when it comes to trim. By moving the cylinders from your back to your side, it places them in a better position across you body's natural fulcrum point, thus forcing your body into perfect trim. 3. And another great benefit with Sidemount, with proper training, it allows easier access to what would be impenetrable environments.....................Oh and in my case, I have back issues, after years of sitting in a Patrol Car with a gun belt digging into my lower back, or years of carrying cylinders on my back as a dive Instructor, Sidemount allows me to remove this weight while in the water. Thus, protecting my back from unnecessary abuse. Hope this helps.
@@LakeHickoryScuba Thanks. I might try sidemount one of these days but I am not a technical diver and I have would rather to stick recreational diving. I don't won't to go pass no decompression limits.
No worries.
A fix to a system like yours ..hummmm Side note found an Easter egg in this particular video....lol... And a beautiful woman in a ......dive right....... BCD
EASTER EGG, SHHHHHHH, it has to remain a secret for a few more days. I enjoyed diving with you and Kadi. It was fun. Looking forward to doing it again.
Great video Bryan. Here is a not the great video that illustrates your method in detail: th-cam.com/video/45tzejwce00/w-d-xo.html
Cheers, #SeattleRingHunter
Hello Seattle Ring Hunter, thanks for sharing the video, we will definitely check it out.