Sidemount Principles For Success Verified |top| Direct

Ideally, use left- and right-handed modular valves. This "mirrored" setup allows valve handles to face outward and regulator first stages to face inward, protecting them from impact and streamlining hose routing.

One of sidemount's greatest benefits is the ability to kit up in the water, which is ideal for rough shore entries or small boats. Success here means having a consistent process, such as always donning your primary (left) cylinder first.

Achieving proficiency requires moving beyond just "clipping tanks on" and mastering the specific that separate expert sidemount divers from the rest. 1. Master Your Equipment Configuration

The first foundation of sidemount success is a deep, intimate knowledge of your specific rig.

In sidemount, your valves and regulators are directly in front of you, making it easier to identify and fix problems than with backmount. Success depends on these drills being second nature.

Because sidemount uses independent cylinders, you must switch regulators at predetermined pressure increments (e.g., 30 bar or 500 psi) to keep your gas supply and cylinder buoyancy balanced.