The length of the cord used to tie bolt snaps to your cylinders dictates how close the tanks sit to your body. Keep these cord loops short to minimize tank twisting and prevent the cylinders from sagging below your body line. 3. Streamlining and Hose Routing
Sidemount is inherently more streamlined than backmount diving. The goal is to eliminate snag points and minimize water resistance.
Your cylinders must stream perfectly parallel to your torso. If your tanks are flaring outward or dropping too low, your drag increases and your stability suffers.
Success in sidemount is measured by how "clean" your profile is. Every bolt snap, hose, and bungee serves a specific purpose. Sidemount- Principles For Success
To succeed in sidemount, you must commit to the following action plan:
Sidemount encourages carrying only what is necessary. A clean setup reduces the risk of entanglement, which is crucial for technical and cave penetration scenarios. 3. Trim and Buoyancy Control
This article is based on principles taught by leading sidemount educators including Andy Davis, Steve Davis, Roger Williams, and the Sidemount Pros team. For further learning, explore the Speaking Sidemount podcast, the InDEPTH magazine sidemount editions, and the TDI/SDI sidemount diver programs. The length of the cord used to tie
Will you be diving in or cold water/overhead environments ?
Minimizing drag by keeping tanks, hoses, and equipment tucked close to the body, preventing snagging hazards.
Before your first open water sidemount dive, practice on land. Put on your rig with full tanks. Sit on a bench. Close your eyes. Reach for your left valve. Now your right. Do this 50 times. Muscle memory is the only thing that will save you in zero visibility. Success means you never have to look or fumble to find which regulator is which. Streamlining and Hose Routing Sidemount is inherently more
At its simplest, sidemount diving means carrying your cylinders at your sides rather than on your back. In practice, a diver wears a harness designed to accept two (or more) independent cylinders, each clipped to D‑rings on the left and right sides. The cylinders are kept close to the armpits, often with a that runs over the valve, holding the tank snugly against the body.
As you breathe down your gas, the tanks change weight. Achieving success means mastering the "swimming" of your tanks—moving the lower bolt snaps to forward D-rings on your waist strap mid-dive to keep the cylinders perfectly aligned with your body line. 3. Mastering Balance and Trim
Rotate 360 degrees on a fixed axis using your fins alone, allowing you to turn around in tight spaces without shifting your body profile.
The guide breaks down sidemount success into several critical areas: Sidemount: Principles For Success (eBook) - Buy Me a Coffee
Because sidemount uses two independent cylinders, you are your own "manifold." This requires a disciplined mindset.