Sidemount Newbie Configuration

[atedeschi]

I have created a PDF file with my sidemount setup, from the wing & harness to placement of different tools. It is what I dive in cave or open water and is setup in a way so that no matter what types of diving I am doing from shallow to deep, cave to open water, or backmount to sidemount all the configuration remains the same so in emergences there is no confusion. I am not saying this is the way you must do it just a good place to start, because this setup will get you pretty far in your diving before you would need more then this and this is not a replacement for proper training but allows you to get gear setup and try it out before your courses. I hope you enjoy this because I had fun putting it together.

[battles2a5]

Thanks for the file, great job putting it together. Couple of questions

- What are the hose lengths? You mention the long hose length, but I am intersted in the drysuit, bc, and back-up reg lengths as well
- How do your stage/ deco tanks ride with that configuration? It seems like they would ride below the SM tanks? Have you tried stacking them on top of the SM tanks?
- Any tips/tricks on trimming the system out?

I'm hoping Santa Claus will drop a Nomad down my chimney this year, so this will be very helpful :)

[atedeschi]

Thanks for the file, great job putting it together. Couple of questions

- What are the hose lengths? You mention the long hose length, but I am intersted in the drysuit, bc, and back-up reg lengths as well
- How do your stage/ deco tanks ride with that configuration? It seems like they would ride below the SM tanks? Have you tried stacking them on top of the SM tanks?
- Any tips/tricks on trimming the system out?

I'm hoping Santa Claus will drop a Nomad down my chimney this year, so this will be very helpful :)

One thing I forgot to mention is I use 90 degree adapters on both my second stages.

Hose Lengths:
They are going to be different with different body types, but here is what I use:
Right Side: 5' reg hose, 15" Inflator hose & 6" hp hose
Left Side: 22" reg hose, 15" Inflator hose & 6" hp hose

Stages:
My material length of the clips on the bottom of my stage bottles are as short as they can be and the hard d-ring is almost right next to the cam buckle, but I showed the pic as being more on top of the tank to make it easier to explain. You are going to have to play with everything but this should give you a good start. Dont worry about stages yet, get everything else figured out and dive it.

As far as trimming I did not have to do anythig special, i guess just follow the adjustment guides in the nomad manual.

Hope this helps and feel free to ask more questions.

[serge]

Anthony, how long are your tank bungees for cold water diving? Thanks.

[atedeschi]

I use the same for both coldwater and warm water, and i believe they are 15" but not exactly sure. I know they are not bigger then the stock ones and they are not 13", so they are either 15" or the standard 17" bungees.