Sidemount Principles For Success Verified ^hot^ Official

You can read these principles a hundred times. Use this checklist before your next dive:

Through extensive research, interviews with experienced sidemount divers, and analysis of best practices, we've identified the following verified principles for success in sidemount diving:

You must decant (equalize) your tanks at the start of every dive, and every 20 minutes thereafter. sidemount principles for success verified

Because sidemount relies on two completely independent gas sources, you cannot simply breathe from one tank until it is empty. Active gas management is a critical safety principle. The Rule of Safe Balance

As you breathe down your gas, the buoyancy characteristics of your cylinders change. You can read these principles a hundred times

Bottom attachments (leashes or boltsnaps) must allow the tank to pivot forward as it becomes buoyant. Harness Geometry

: Tuck away all pressure gauges, inflation hoses, and backup lights against your harness. Active gas management is a critical safety principle

The verified success metric: While in perfect horizontal trim, reach back with your ipsilateral hand (left hand to left valve, right to right). Your thumb should contact the valve wheel before your elbow touches your side. If your elbow hits first, your tanks are too high or your shoulder mobility is insufficient.

: The harness and BCD must work together to keep the tanks from "flopping" or shifting. A successful setup feels like the tanks are an extension of the diver's own body. Accessibility and Ease of Use

Zero shifting or rolling of the harness when executing twists or inversions.

Open water divers do a buoyancy check at the surface. Sidemount divers do a buoyancy check .