Sumpmount?

[skip]

I don't know, not having much experience, but it seems to be that Sidemount and Sumpmount are two different things and may be best served with different equipment configurations. I have an idea or two about the difference, but does anyone else?

just curious,
-skip

[rchrds]

I don't know, not having much experience, but it seems to be that Sidemount and Sumpmount are two different things and may be best served with different equipment configurations. I have an idea or two about the difference, but does anyone else?

just curious,
-skip


Is this a troll, skip? :)

okay, so yes in most cases, "sidemount" and "sumpmount" could be very different configurations. It depends entirely on the approach to the water. If the approach is short and easy, there is no reason to not bring the standard sidemount rig, with all of the large wing, heavy harness, large tanks and large light.

On the other hand, if the approach is difficult or long, or worse, other people are carrying your equipment, then it is necessary to minimize. Smaller tanks and minimal rigs, such as one piece "bat belts" and separate shoulder bungee with smaller backup lights and such would be much more prudent. You might have seen chrissy and my setup that we use in snail shell (and most other places) which is nothing more than a loop of bungee wrapped around the shoulders to secure the tank necks, and a weight belt with weight to counter the drysuit bouyancy (8 lbs for me in my CF200) and two low profile d-rings on the hips to which the tank carabiners attach. everything else attaches to that- reels, lights, etc. This whole rig rolls into a ball that you can hold in one hand. Nice for packing.

Really, the equation comes down to this- how much can I do without, so that I wont have to carry it to the water? From there, the decision is up to you.

J

[FW]

You have seen mine, too. It is similar to a Transpac, but has D-rings on the waist belt. It doesn't have any tank hangers or butt plate. Those are fine, if you don't have to go a long way to the water, but really get in the way in tight crawls, climbs, etc. I haven't had to do a real nasty long crawl recently, but if I did, I would use a rig like Jason's.