It doesnt have to be for the uber wreck diver or the tec cave diver, it can be for you! Honestly, who hasn\u2019t wanted to spend more time down there on that perfect dive during the summer we have just had. The photographers amongst you will love the ease of maneuverability to capture that perfect shot. The hunters have more air to burn, the explorers are able to go around the next corner. Wreck and cave divers have the slimlined profile without the diet! But all of us should want that increased safety, and to quote Pete Humphris from his previous blog entry and why we should continue to train, I believe I can now put my hand up and say \u201cYes, if you have problems I can help\u201d. <\/p>\n
But onto the blog about it all\u2026…<\/p>\n
So one day I walked into Dive & Ski HQ with a big heavy 15Ltr cylinder needing filled after a dive with some mates. As soon as I entered the door Claire immediately looked guilty and asked if my ears were burning. It turns out she wasn\u2019t just standing there waiting to hurl friendly abuse to the next person in the door, the exact opposite in fact, she was standing there talking to Chris Clarke.
\nAfter the introductions were completed, Claire explained that Chis has just moved to Wellington and he teaches sidemount diving. My grin started then and hasn\u2019t stopped since!<\/p>\n
Well, Trying not to sound too biased after the course is going to be hard for me. Sidemount diving is a release for carrying loads of lead around, its a pleasure on my back, its safer and its just enjoyable. Honestly I am really still grinning. But truly the benefits taught are real benefits that will see me continuing to use sidemount as my preferred method of diving.<\/p>\n Flexibility<\/strong> Accessibility<\/strong> Streamlining<\/strong> Safety<\/strong> Comfort<\/strong> Redundancy<\/strong> So, anyway about the course\u2026\u2026\u2026. So in the space of 5 hours Chris had managed to instill the basics of the list below in me – Saturday came around and we met early for a bacon buttie, coffee and a brief. Three dives were planned for this day (but only because of my own time constraints). So Chris wanted to get one dive completed as the club arrived. <\/p>\n![\"PADI](\"http:\/\/www.divestore.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/562145_10151319675917172_382272767_n.jpg\")
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\nSidemount diving offers divers significant benefits to the flexibility of their approach. Unlike back-mounted doubles, acquiring and transporting sidemount suitable cylinders is often much more convenient and accessible, after all you just need two 12 Ltr aluminum cylinders. Sidemount diving equipment is also considerably lighter, and less bulky than back-mounted alternatives \u2013 allowing for easier and cheaper travel.<\/p>\n
\nUnlike back-mounted cylinders, the sidemount diver has immediate access to, and are able to see the regulators and tank valves of their cylinders. This enables immediate problem identification and allows for a faster resolution, without recourse to \u2018behind the head\u2019 shut-down drills that require a higher level of mobility, flexibility and freedom to operate.<\/p>\n
\nSidemount diving configuration places the cylinders under the diver\u2019s armpits, in line with their body. This decreases water resistance which should help us all improve our air consumption and reducing fatigue.<\/p>\n
\nIncreased accessibility to your life-supporting regulators, first-stages and valves improves efficiency and speed of critical cylinder shut-down procedures, allows immediate gas-loss identification and provides the diver with quick access to alternative safety procedures; such as regulator swapping (between cylinders), valve-\u2018feathering\u2019 to access gas within a cylinder whose regulator is malfunctioned or free-flowing.<\/p>\n
\nAs soon as I had entered the pool my body wanted to remain, without any effort, the correct trim. This allowed me to completely relax and concentrate on the enjoyment of the dives that we all get. It is also less physically tiring to carry, and get into, sidemount equipment than with traditional back-mounted doubles \u2013 especially when operating from a small boat or a rough shore entry.
\nThe ability to attach, remove and replace cylinders whilst in the water allows the diver to avoid ever having to carry heavy-weight back-mounted cylinders. This is combined with reduced physical exertion when conducting regulator shut-down procedures, which is a major benefit to technical divers who suffer from shoulder or back discomfort or reduced mobility from old injuries.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSpeaks for itself really, sidemount diving with two cylinders helps resolve stability and streamlining issues, and ensures that a truly capable redundant supply of air is maintained. <\/p>\n
\nFirst evening we met at Dive & Ski HQ at around 5 at night, Chris then took me through an interesting presentation on the history and origins of sidemount diving, the learning outcomes and all sorts of other interesting \u201coh yeah\u201d moments. I\u2019ll not ruin anything for you, go find out yourself. We then tried on the Hollis 100 SMS harness and wing, adjusted everything and generally made it snug. It is a bigger beast than Chris\u2019s Hollis 50 but baby steps are required and a lot more control before moving onto the sleekit beastie* (thats Scottish for smooth and shiny). After that the cylinders are set up and a load of straps are strapped on, stuff is stuffed in and clips are clipped on, yes it does look daunting at first but in the end due to the repetitive nature of all things in diving it gets seared into your brain pretty quickly. There is also the \u201cthat doesn\u2019t feel right\u201d factor where if it doesn\u2019t feel right you know instantly because your body tells you.
\nAnyway, with that done we are off to Huia pool for some “essentials training”. The first thing I notice is how comfortable the sidemount system is under water. You have complete freedom to move and twist and turn. We work on buoyancy, trim and movement first, before doing some basic drills. A lot of emphasis is placed on the basics, because they have to be spot on before continuing. We spend a lot of time practicing hovering, completely motionless, and swimming in different orientations – left side, right side, even on our backs. Hanging inverted (head down) is a lot of fun, as are doing forward rolls and back flips. After that its unclipping the cylinders and swimming through hula hoops. All in, the pool session was enormous fun and the time flew by leaving me with that cant wait to get into the sea feeling. <\/p>\n
\nLevel 1: “Recreational (Rec or Basic Sidemount)”
\n\u2022\tEquipment configuration and assembly
\n\u2022\tPre-dive safety checks
\n\u2022\tAttaching tanks on land and at the surface (shallow and deep water)
\n\u2022\tDescent procedures
\n\u2022\tTrim and buoyancy
\n\u2022\tPropulsion techniques \u2013 frog kick, modified flutter kick, back kick, helicopter turn
\n\u2022\tGas planning and management (independent cylinders)
\n\u2022\tRegulator switching
\n\u2022\tAir sharing – donor and receiver
\n\u2022\tTank positioning and adjustment for continual good trim
\n\u2022\tRemoval of single tank while swimming
\n\u2022\tRemoval of two tanks while swimming<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n