Back mount VS side mount – plus equipment and training tips

8 am wow

Will your mistakes be the same as mine?

Super fun video as always! As a tec diver from the north east (NH🥶) now living in Yuc MX I felt totally out of place. Back mount doubles, dry suit etc, is not the norm here. I took a side mount course and totally reconfigured my kit, $$$$, Im now in heaven, side mount, for some reason, came easy to me and love it!!! Open invitation if your ever in the area.
🌴 😎🌴

One of the pro’s of back mount doubles that I believe you missed is the added redundancy the manifold gives. In a 1st or 2nd stage regulator failure you still have all of the gas available. In the same failure in side mount you loose that tank or 1/2 the available gas

I was fortunate that sidemount came easy to me. We did sidemount/ cavern/and cave together. I was still fairly new to diving (only 2 years experience at the time), but the instructors that took the class with me struggled a lot more. I THINK that perhaps their long ingrained habits made it more difficult for them to transition to sidemount.

I was taught in a razor that was very comfortable, but as you said took some time to set up. I bought an OMS when I got home and have hated it ever since. Just ordered a Katana2. Can't wait to dive it!

Comparing sidemount to backmount is a bit like comparing wrenches. They all do a similar job but each has a place where it's the most appropriate kind of wrench for the job.

My sidemount cavern and intro to cave is at the end of march. I will let you know how it goes. Thanks for the great video as always.

I have a dive rite Nomad LS sidemount system, and i realy like it. The materials are strong and durable. Only problem that its very complicated to adjust, mainly the 2 strap to addjust the system for your height. But with some small modification its a lot easier. But all in all its a great setup.

Good info Sarah, I have not tried side mount yet except for the occasional stage bottle. What's your pendant?

Good summary as always. There're always people who prefer aluminum to steels in SM, and vice versa. But it's like SM and backmount: each has its place. The nett buoyancy change through the dive is the same for both kinds of tank, what is different is where the weight is. Al tanks are heavier on land but more buoyant in the water and easily go positive when empty; steels are lighter but always negative. So you will need more weight in your rig with alis, which makes for even harder work out of the water, and less weight with steels. But if you're going into tight spaces where you need to move tanks around, well as I learnt on my course it's possible with steels, but a lot easier with alis.

around 4minutes into the video: What brand is the table Matt uses to place his double tank?

A note re fin carrying: I use a free double-dog clip (that I carry anyway) to attach to the fin straps. If your strap doesn’t have a decent place, simply attach a very small bungee loop to the heel end of the strap and clip to those. Either clip them off to a chest D ring if you need the height, or waist D ring or buttplate while walking to/ from the entry point. Works great but not overly crowded on my snaps and not carrying an extra carabiner. 👍 love the vids! Wish I could join you on your trips but the west coast is a trip in itself for me

I was at a point in my learning that I was ready to learn backmount doubles. I then had an injury followed by surgery to my shoulder. Afterwards my right arm could not reach the valves. I was introduced to Sidemount and I have never looked back. I use it for nearly all my diving now. Backmount single is still good for creek diving.

Currently, I don’t have any desire to try sidemount diving but who knows I’m the future. And as always, you provide great information and tips! Thanks for being you!

Haven’t tried side mount yet - but maybe someday. Can I do it with my tiny steel 80’s? Lol I’m so short so I like that tank best.

Again awesome Video and your not alone, I was feeling quite stupid too while I did my sidemountcourse..🤣

I dive point lobos quite a few times. I hope I can see you there!

Haha. Your intro. “Welcome to Lobos in Summer”. 😃. We stage our sidemount tanks off floats off that boat launch (or most other beach locations in Monterey area). Matt is also a dive buddy of mine and a good diver.

Not sure I will ever feel the need switch to side mount but I enjoyed the comparison. Thanks.

What kind of cylinders do you dive with? I have LP80's (4 kg each at 2400 psi). My Razor rig has a hard time supporting that weight. My aft d rings are behind (posterior) my prominent hip bone and I am using 8mm bungees.

Not to mention - sidemount might be the only way to dive for people with spinal problems where attempting to lift up a twinset (or even a single tank) presents the risk of having a serious injury. I like my twinset, I just wish the sidemount divers made a move on at the dive site, they're always so incredibly slow to get in the water 😆

Loved backmount singles and doubles but my knees loved sidemount and I listened to my knees and back. 😁 Razor is the way to go in sm.

Great video again, I like the way you talk about the differences in these configurations and styles of diving.
I stopped diving backmount doubles, for now I only dive sidemount or single tank backmount,
In backmount I dive 12ltr 300B tanks, in sidemount I have several tanks (all aluminium)
I did my weighting without any tanks, and during my dives I have hardly problems with too much positive buoyancy when the tanks getting empty, diving 2 80cuft tanks until they are almoset empty (when 1st stages getting loose from the valves 🤪) With 7ltr thick-walled tanks also no problem, they stay almost neutral when empty.
Both for backmount and Sidemount I dive with Xdeep wings, for backmount I use a Zeos (dir style) and for sidemount I use a Stealth 2.0 TEC (single bladder)
I started learning sidemount bij my Course Director, he also helped me out with the first configuration, after that I had myself filmed several times to make small adjustments and I'm doing fine now, wrote down al different setups when changing tanks, multiple tanks (up to 5), undergarments and stuff. I did several courses: Sidemount, TEC Sidemount and TEC40 & 45 in Sidemount configuration, I Didn't do the TEC50, because I think you should use trimix going to that depth.
Almost al my tanks have dedicated regs, all Apeks (DST, DS4, XTX40 and 50, and a overrated too expensive FSR&XTX200) because I don't like to change hoses a lot, and rebuilding those regs, I'm too lazy for that 🤣

using your bungee for you fins it genius I wish i had though of that

Great video.I think sidemount works well in lake and cave diving but i still prefer my twin set for sea diving.

I ordered the Katana 1 which was on clearance so I can try sidemount before I invest in an XDeep or Coutour. Played with in a pool and its pretty comfortable.

Hoping an awesome instructor makes a trek and can teach me to join the two tank crew (wink)

The side mount is fiddly, and I still find it fiddly. There is a good streamlined back mount style (thank you GUE). I am going through Steve Martin and other styles, but I am finding the side mount gets more cluttered, once you start adding stages to the side mount. I have no problem with two stages, a reel, spools, and lights in the back mount.

I like how you float in the side mount.

I also find you need time in each system. Switching between systems isn't smooth. The first day in each system after a while is a right off. I also come to terms I need a complete regulator set for each system as well.

I am still learning side mount.

Excellent video …. I had my class with a Nomad I had to get new webbing sewn to accommodate my shoulders on my Katana 2 dual bladder. I have it maxed out size wise. If you are a tinkerer then it’s the BCD you want. Especially if you plan on getting the sidewinder. It has taken about 30 pool dives to tweak and adjust. I love mine . Changed out my bungees . I would do it all over again

I moved into SM a short while ago and have been very lucky, took to it very easily and had no trouble with buoyancy or trim. The Xdeep tech was the first and only harness I've ever used and it works very well for me. I've dived with both steel and aluminium tanks, With steel I have no need for any lead weights so that is a bonus but if diving off a boat, it's a pain dealing with steels at the end of the dive, if I'm passing them to the boat crew and we drop one it can be a very expensive loss. Wwith the alu tanks, due to their positive buoyancy they are a bonus.when dealing with boats. I deal with the aluminium tanks extra buoyancy as they empty with sliding D rings on the waist belt and the Michurs triangle set up which has made a huge difference to keeping the tanks where I need them. Saving up for some Steels as well as they both have their place IMO just depending upon where you dive

What kind/brand of the table that Matt is using for his doubles? Thank you!

Great video! Love the pros and cons. For me the draw to sidemount was complete redundancy The ability to fix and manage malfunctions while diving; more air vs single tank; ability to manage restrictions. I dive solo most of the time and all these points are very important to me. The learning curve equipment wise was fairly steep. I have about 40 dives in the sidemount configuration and haven't looked back. It allows me to do what I want to do. I use XDeep Tec2, Aqualung Fusion Dry suit, Deep6 regs. Love it and would encourage everyone to give it a shot. The more you do it the better it gets! Love how real and unassuming your channel is. Keep it up!

I’m a 5.6 female. Have the Xdeep stealth tec bcd full setup but an expandable Razor butt pouch. Love XDeep.

"I use the bungees to hold my fins while i'm making entrance and exits"

Aaaaaand subscribed. You are a genius.

Did my first tryout with tecline avanger in the Pool, i loved it. I tried with Aluminium 80, but as we only have Steel Tanks and I need an lot of weight I will continue with Steel 10l. Not bought my setup yet, still choosing between a rec Version with a additional dump valve on top und adjustible Harness and the avenger with just the dumpvalve at the butt. As Im also new to drysuits I havent figured out if I can dump air when im a little Head up while dumping my drysuit. Will train more drysuit with backmount first before trying drysuit and backmount again. But for deeper dives I will switch to sidemount, as doubles arent for me, above and under water.

I totally agree with your recommendation to take significant time to get comfortable with side mount before adding new courses/skills. My tech instructor required 30 SM recreational dives before any tech courses. It sounded excessive at the time but he was right. I love Sidemount and am glad i switched, but definitely plan on several dives to adapt

Thank you again! I watched this video a couple years ago as I was beginning my Sidemount journey. It was super helpful then. Just for the heck of it, I just watched again! Without a frame of reference, like 60% of the details went right over my head in that first viewing!! Super confirming now! I've had great success in Sidemount, thanks to people like you and my formal instructor. Since then, I dive Sidemount whenever possible! If you are ever in New England, say Hi!

Great video, as are all your videos. I watched your earlier videos on side mount to help me set up mine. First dive was a nightmare, all over the place in near zero viz. Two years on and 60 side mount dives later its all sorted and I LOVE it. I use a Diverite nomad LTZ with fixed weight down the spine in a dry suit. I gave up twin set diving as have a bad back, the ability to carry just one cylinder at a time works well. Thanks for all the tips.

I teach sm both rec and tec. Haven't dove bm in years, but I had to teach it last week. I was "told" that bm is better off shores and beaches, but I demonstrated why it is not. With experience comes more advanced techniques which adds comfort in all situations, and my students who learn sm from the start (yes, it does take a bit longer at first because of configuration) develop trim and buoyancy much quicker. Everything is a preference, but over time, those who stick with sidemount learn the benefits. Still, to each his/her own.

Just found this channel. Good information. I’ve looked at sidemount from time to time but am not ready for all new gear (bc/harness). I’ll be watching more of your videos.
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I use the DR Nomad as well with LP95's trim is Awesome. I have used it with singles, double (DR classic wing w/95's, and in SM of course. The harness is one time fit-and-go. I had Ed at Cave Adventures set mine up might be why I had no problem from 1st dive in it. Dives like a dream.

Love those double 20's

This is the fork in the road I hit diving with single Al80 with a slung 40 but I had 3 options go back mount doubles side mount doubles oooor pull the trigger on a rebreather I decided rebreather as when I get back into vanlife I won’t have to travel with a shot load of big tanks haha I’ll have the same amount of tanks I have now I’ll be taking one of my AL80s and making a pure o2 bottle that I’ll use as a fill tank for my smaller liter o2 bottle saving money on o2 fills sorry for the long explanation I love the channel dive on friend !

Sidemount only! You don’t need to cave dive or do tech to appreciate its advantages. The most important thing is the level of control it offers, let alone special perks like effortless buoyancy and trim. Once I got my Nomad XT, i never looked back.

I’m a cave diver so side mount is my go to configuration. Just broke down my last set of back mount doubles about a year ago. I see absolutely no need to ever dive back mount doubles again

I feel bad to say it.. but all the struggle you had with sidemount was the exact same struggle I had over 2 years trying to make Backmounted doubles work.

Within 2 dives in sidemount, it was like all those skills I worked for over hundreds of dives in backmounted were immediately unlocked. I have never had better luck with one change in setup in hundreds of dives.

Still all of the frustrations you voiced about switching to side mount was my exact situation in back Mount. I could never get it just right and I was always feeling like a contortionist to make my back bend in such a way that I could have proper trim. Yes, in photos or if I was being filmed I could get it and I could hold it for a little while but it wasn't enjoyable

I used the Dive Rite Nomad XT system amd loved it. Never did a course as it felt completely natural. In the end I did my advanced trimix trainng in sidemount...I will never go back to rear doubles.