Sidemount setups around the world.... is there a difference???

[neil richardson]

Hi All,

First time poster, so be gentle....

Just got into sidemounts over here in Australia, am loving it so far, and am still in the playing and tweaking stages of things.

Anyhow, from research online there seems to be conflicting comments about different basic setups. This seems to be very much split between the UK setup, and the very few pictures i can see of Martyn Farr etc, and the setup i seem to see being used in the caves in florida. But again, the information is limited, as are the pictures, so is someone able to explain the differences?? and if anyone has any GOOD pictures to explain as well??

R

neil

[DeepSea]

Sidemount begets a very personal approach. Here are some US sources

http://www.advanceddivermagazine.com/armadillo.html
http://www.diverite.com/products/catalog/nomad

[phillip1]

I think that the UK setup is way more striped down as they need to haul gear through dry caves, it seems (from reading Martyn book) that the UK divers are primarily cavers looking to explore dry caves and sumps stand in the way and need to be dived in order to access more cave. I think that the gear they use is aimed at being easy to haul, streamlined to the max and not really designed like a sidemount BCD but more like a climbing harness for diving.
I may be wrong but that is what I understand the main differance to be.
By the way "The Darkness Beckons" by Martyn Farr is a must read!!

[phillip1]

check out this great video http://www.vimeo.com/2266570
when the divers come up and are talking standing on the ice, you can see the setup they are using pretty well, I think that they are using a more streamlined sidemount setup similar the ones in the UK. Tanks seem to be way low on the hips for really tight fighting with the rocks restrictions.

[AMW]

Yes my aim in the UK is to pass sumps to more dry passage, although some times the sumps can be 1000M plus. The side mounts as said also gives ease of movement in low passages. Given larger cave passage (out side of England and Wales) I use back mounts for the comfort angle.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/AMWard/DCP_0027.jpg


But first you have to get to the sump :?
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/AMWard/Ffynnon.jpg


The CDG manual covers the system.

Andrew

[skip]

I have an old simple jacket style BC that I converted for sidemount for sump diving. it works as flotation and as BC, with smaller tanks, not so good for larger. The idea was to simply remove the cam band for the single tank and then add bungees across the back coming around each side to the shoulder straps. I sewed in a D-ring on the upper shoulder straps, one each side, and ran the bungee through those. I use a standard weight belt with D-rings on it positioned at the back for the lower attachment (and lights, a dive-rite pocket, etc.).

But for cave diving, not sumps, I sewed up a harness of 2-inch webbing, and attached a dive-rite classic wing (sewing attachment tabs on the wing) in the style of Richards (rchrds). He posted a rather detailed description on here awhile back with pictures. I tried to search it out, but got tired of looking. With a bit more dedication you can find it. Nice set up and he uses it for sumps and all cave diving.

OMS sells a "soft back plate" for about $40.00 and I've seen those used with a homemade harness to help control the wing and reduce/eliminate snag points on the back.

But in answer to your question: I don't think there differences around the world, based on country, but there are differences around the world based on individuals!

-skip

[Webmaster]

Hi All,

First time poster, so be gentle....

Just got into sidemounts over here in Australia, am loving it so far, and am still in the playing and tweaking stages of things.

Anyhow, from research online there seems to be conflicting comments about different basic setups. This seems to be very much split between the UK setup, and the very few pictures i can see of Martyn Farr etc, and the setup i seem to see being used in the caves in florida. But again, the information is limited, as are the pictures, so is someone able to explain the differences?? and if anyone has any GOOD pictures to explain as well??

R

neil


Hi Neil, one important point to remember is to hook your bungees in the reverse direction of what you see from UK and US divers using. Otherwise the coriolis force could just pop everything loose.

Some folks really end up with 2 side mount setups depending on the type of cave they're doing at the time. A 'US' style rig that includes a wing for general diving and tight passages. And a 'UK' style minimal harness for *really* tight stuff, or sumps where the diving is actually a small part of the entire trip.

What type of diving you're considering will probably drive which general style you go with at least initially. And of course within those general categories are numerous variations in specific design. If you gave some more specifics about what type of use you intended to put it to, you would probably get some more detailed suggestions.

Marbry

[Cindy]

Hi Andrew, what are you wearing, I can't see the front. ASM Dragon Harness? Cindy

[Mark Dougherty]

I've attached a thumbnail with my current sidemount rig. This is a dive site just south of the arctic circle in northern Sweden. Actually it's rather close to a modern CDG rig, ie. a minimalised "American sidemount" rig. The harness is homemade. It's hard to see the shoulder straps because they are blue and so is the wetsuit I was wearing that day.

On some dives I wrap the second stages right around the neck, which is neater and makes less drag.

The "surface controller" wearing the mosquito hat is my daughter (now aged nine, she was eight when this picture was taken).

Mark

[AMW]

Hi Andrew, what are you wearing, I can't see the front. ASM Dragon Harness? Cindy

The diver is Al Wallace in Tucks rift Hepste Valley,I also use an ASM, although I have cut of the under arm straps and small bungy cords and fit a longer one from the centre of the back strap. This makes a better fit as far as I am concerned.

Page 47 CDG manual :roll:

Andrew

[Cindy]

The diver is Al Wallace in Tucks rift Hepste Valley,I also use an ASM, although I have cut of the under arm straps and small bungy cords and fit a longer one from the centre of the back strap. This makes a better fit as far as I am concerned.

Page 47 CDG manual :roll:

Andrew

Sorry I distressed you with my question Andrew. We don't have a whole lot of copies of the CDG manual here in the US. I asked because I have the Dragon, also a handmade Brit side mount rig that Duncan Price made for me and I have seen the one Martyn makes. They all pretty much look the same from the back. I do however feel there are many differences on how they fit, where the tanks hang and where the weight is carried, etc. at least on my body, as diving the Armadillo or the dive rite rig do. I was hoping you would clarify or at least send better photos. Thank you for the clarification. CB Cindy Butler

[AMW]

No problem, a couple more pictures that may help.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/AMWard/IMG_0505.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/AMWard/IMG_1940.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/AMWard/PICT0036-1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/AMWard/PICT0029.jpg


We don't have a whole lot of copies of the CDG manual here in the US

The CDG is always keen to sale them :smt081 via the CDG site shop (Paypal) :clapper

Andrew

[Cindy]

The photos are very helpful!
I have a copy of the book that I am reading that was sent to me for a review for the UWS magazine. It was loaned to Kelly Jessop and a couple of others. The review is pending but I have to say it's very good. You did a great job modernizing the old Manual without losing the "flavor" of Sump Diving. The book is a great introduction to the sport and a good place to learn from. When the book was sent I was told it was one of the last new ones left. I hope you do another printing...Cindy

[AMW]

When the book was sent I was told it was one of the last new ones left. I hope you do another printing...Cindy

We have had another print run so no shortage.

The aim was to stay true to the CDG roots with the manual, myself and Colin spent many a night working on it. A great excuse not to get wet and cold in a cave :dancingbear

Andrew

[Arnold Mesiser]

yet another flavor

http://www.beastproducts.com/userimages/procart18.htm

[Arnold Mesiser]

A Canadian harness made for super long/low bedding planes(in the KM + range at 4 ft wide by 16" to 18" high and long phreatic tubes of small diameter with very tight restrictions.It uses the old Dive Rite j rods (Thanks Forrest -for the name)

It allows the diver the invert easily (as needed in one main restriction) and carry 4 tanks in a small /tight profile not to mention carry lots of weight to compensate for the flow at one site (resurgence in flood for visibility) and as well-underwater digging and drilling.

The harness was created for very specific sites and worked very well.

The site in the photos is a down and dirty bedding plane full of clay so less then beautiful tanks are utilized ;)

[FW]

A Canadian harness made for super long/low bedding planes ..... less then beautiful tanks are utilized ;)
What are the squarish blue containers on his back, weights?

[Arnold Mesiser]

Yes!! to keep him in the passage while the resurgence was raging..this was to clear silt banks for future better vis ( like maybe a foot if were lucky ) :( It is currently- don't take a primary becuase you cannot see it at all.

Comes in handy to overcome the pneumatic drill underwater as well.

There is a a partial comment on this in the latest Canadian caver with a future article on the multi- year underwater dig -coming.

[Danseur]

Many people dive yoke regs SM up there?

[Arnold Mesiser]

In dirt tubes..yes..sacrificial and quasi -faster to swap...Din normally on deeper/more water filled stuff.The multi km bedding plane from the photo is maybe 4 ft deep to a max of 14.This photo is from a rather specific project thus specific kit for it.

For digging..the BRUT is pretty robust and simple.I prefer using metal Cyclons with the modifications recommended by Forrest and Duncan Price. (do not dive now though)

[Spd 135]

What are the squarish blue containers on his back, weights?

I think it is spare .223 / 5.56 mags for the cave monsters. lol