danglies in sidemount

[CptTightPants21]

I'll let others comment on the sidemount except to say I agree with rddvet on just about everything.

Regarding frog kick from the small snippet of video. Looks like it took a few strokes to get going. You have the ankle flex down which is good, that is usually one of the hardest aspects to master. Your legs are not close enough together and you don't have enough horizontal movement in your kick stroke. These issues are hindering you from achieving maximum efficiency with the kick and I suspect this is why it takes you a couple of strokes, with knees dropping, to build forward momentum.

I would estimate that your legs should be 50% closer together and that where you currently start the kick should be where your legs stop after they complete the horizontal aspect of the motion. Hard to say with this video, but it looks like this might also be the issue with the helicopter turn. Legs started too far apart with not enough horizontal motion to generate force so you are dropping your knees to compensate.

There is a modified frog that has less horizontal movement (not sure if this is the frog you were attempting), but either way, legs need to be closer together.

[twaldo]

I'll let others comment on the sidemount except to say I agree with rddvet on just about everything.

Regarding frog kick from the small snippet of video. Looks like it took a few strokes to get going. You have the ankle flex down which is good, that is usually one of the hardest aspects to master. Your legs are not close enough together and you don't have enough horizontal movement in your kick stroke. These issues are hindering you from achieving maximum efficiency with the kick and I suspect this is why it takes you a couple of strokes, with knees dropping, to build forward momentum.

I would estimate that your legs should be 50% closer together and that where you currently start the kick should be where your legs stop after they complete the horizontal aspect of the motion. Hard to say with this video, but it looks like this might also be the issue with the helicopter turn. Legs started too far apart with not enough horizontal motion to generate force so you are dropping your knees to compensate.

There is a modified frog that has less horizontal movement (not sure if this is the frog you were attempting), but either way, legs need to be closer together.

Yeah, starting out I'm afraid I will throw my buoyancy off so everything is a little weird.... same for helicopter turn... once I'm cruising everything tightens up.. However I appreciate the comments and maybe I can apply them to help my efficiency over all.

[twaldo]

So... today was first chance to get back in the water and I made some modifications. First on the 72's I had the clip tied pretty much AT the tank so DUH yeah they were definitely higher than they should have been... I was blaming it on the tanks being floaty... I lengthened the cord between the tank and the clip by about 3 inches and WOW did it make a difference. I might have some video later (my gopro battery died). However I was able to run my hands back down the tanks and they felt much more level to my butt and it did bring my gauges up.

I also put matched high pressure hoses on my gauges which helped a lot when I was diving the LP85s. I do have video of the LP85 configuration but the Perch REALLY liked the gopro today and I'm not sure I can salvage enough video to post it.

Last but not least, I tried wrapping my long hose across my chest and around my head.... WOW did that take care of the stowing issues.... Wasn't 100% comfortable with it but then was the first time I have tried it since the FIRST time I tried it and thought I was going to die of strangulation when I was still diving the Frankenstein transpac.

I'm thinking there was at least 50% improvement from my last dives. I still need to put mirrored valves on the 72's. I did figure out why my bungies were long/loose.... I had to put an extra link on them when I was diving the drysuit with extra fluffy liners because I couldn't get the bungee to reach the valves, leaving the extra link for now because its almost time to start diving dry again (no so hot to have a heat stroke before I make it to the water).

I'll try to post some video my dive buddy shot of the 72's and maybe if I can edit the perch of the 85's.

Thanks for playing tweak the Tim, I do appreciate all the feedback.

[rddvet]

What do you mean links in your bungees. Most are adjusted by a knot.

[twaldo]

What do you mean links in your bungees. Most are adjusted by a knot.

It's a dive rite harness, the bungee are connected to the harness by a screw link... I added an additional screw link to each side when I couldn't get the bungee over the tank valve while I was in the drysuit with full thermals.

[twaldo]

72's post tank extension, head wrap.... ignore the camera it's not a part of the normal kit and the finning.

Left hand pressure gauge is about where I want it, can't fix the right hand until I put new valves on the 72's

They are still a bit high in the back... will be lengthing the line probably another inch.
https://youtu.be/Nm9Vte-gyS0

[rddvet]

Still needs work. Those tails are still aframing pretty badly. On top of that if you have expedition pockets on your drysuit full of spools it?ll drive you crazy. Your tank butts and pockets will fight. I cant tell if youre tanks need to go under your armpits more. But the valves do seem to be hanging a little less.
I would call that slight improvement but needs alot of work. At the same time I see people looking much worse at peacock regularly. Really depends on how comfortable you are not looking great. I would continue making adjustments or seek a professional if it was me.
Look at some of the students marissa recently posted. They look pretty good. Not perfect, but what someone just learning sodemount should look like.


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[twaldo]

Still needs work. Those tails are still aframing pretty badly. On top of that if you have expedition pockets on your drysuit full of spools it?ll drive you crazy. Your tank butts and pockets will fight. I cant tell if youre tanks need to go under your armpits more. But the valves do seem to be hanging a little less.
I would call that slight improvement but needs alot of work. At the same time I see people looking much worse at peacock regularly. Really depends on how comfortable you are not looking great. I would continue making adjustments or seek a professional if it was me.
Look at some of the students marissa recently posted. They look pretty good. Not perfect, but what someone just learning sodemount should look like.


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yeah, they felt awesome compared to what they were... but I am definitely lengthening the tank leash at the bottom of the cylinders. And if I took the extra link out it would or should bring my valves up. So next dive will see the tanks drop more. Not going to do much with the bungee because it is so close to time to add back the drysuit and getting some depth to my dives, its just been to hot to put on full thermals and the drysuit.

And I'll say it again, wrapping the long hose definitely cleaned up my hose stowage issue.

Not to worried about how I "look" but also want to clean up my kit. I mean you can never make everyone happy. I got half way there with Draker, I'm at least wearing a drysuit sometimes.


-Tim

[Diverlee]

Put your lower bands up higher on the tank and closer to your waist. I still suggest a side mount class. You would be tweaked in one hour But some people enjoy trying it themselves. Aluminum tanks you have to keep sliding closer to your center waist. It?s all very simple and easy once someone shows you


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[rddvet]

Put your lower bands up higher on the tank and closer to your waist. I still suggest a side mount class. You would be tweaked in one hour But some people enjoy trying it themselves. Aluminum tanks you have to keep sliding closer to your center waist. It?s all very simple and easy once someone shows you


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I'm not 100% sure I agree with that. It looks like the valves could go a little more forward (though I am not fully sure based on the video). That would mean bringing the rear cambands back to get them under the arms more.
I may be way off though since I'm having trouble seeing where the valves sit