Home >> Sidemount bcds technical diving

scuba divers would certainly have encountered divers that have dive tanks under each arm and no dive tank on their back, these are sidemount divers. sidemount bcd mounted tanks alongside the diver, or below the shoulders, or along the hips. Using double cylinders or sidemounts for diving originates from the world of tech diving, in order to give yourself the best opportunity to penetrate these caves you need to take up as little room as possible. This is the reason it is better to wear your cylinders on the side instead of on the back. They are slung in a custom harness, and hang under each arm. the benefits for operating in confined spaces were recognized by divers who conducted technical wreck diving penetrations. When diving in small tight spaces such as ship wrecks or small caves you are able to maneuver much easier if you are using sidemount bcd for scuba diving.

The new wave in the diving community is side mount. Side mount was used exclusively by a few several years ago, but now it has become mainstream. At least one sidemount bcd is featured by almost every manufacturer. Sidemount bcd specialties have recently been included in the standards and policies of PADI and NAUI.

A bungee system that runs from behind the diver's back to under the arms holds the tank valve in place with the use of a safety clip. Each tank has its own short-hose pressure gauge and diving regulators. Hoses must be carefully sized for each diver and the hose port locations.

The new 25lb sidemount bcd has double bladder construction, harness is made by 1680D nylon which is non-fading in high tenacity, inner bladder is made by 420D nylon. Accessories of 6 pcs SS D-ring, comfort shoulder padding, buttplate and three pcs 5lb back non-dumpable weight pockets, also includes sidemount rigging kit and outer nylon dust bag.

21lb, 25lb are made with 420 denier nylon TPU bladder, and 1000 Denier nylon material for outer bag, with a soft backplate, two stainless steel 304 cam buckles, two tank bungees, four stainless steel bolt snaps and line, sternum strap, crotch strap. Inner located elbow to avoid overhead interference.

Recreational divers find this rig type comfortable and versatile. Some of these systems are among the lightest diving systems in the world. They weigh extremely little and the harness supports all of the more common diving configurations, with only minor adjustments whether using one or two tanks.

35lb, 42lb are made with heavy duty 1000 Denier material for outer bag, and 420 Denier nylon with TPU bladder. with a soft backplate, two stainless steel 304 cam buckles, two tank bungees, four stainless steel bolt snaps and line, sternum strap, crotch strap. Inner located elbow to avoid overhead interference.

Divers who make use of a backmount system carry the extra cylinders as stage bottles, slung over and under their arms. When using sidemount cylinders you quickly run out of side area. You can have two more cylinders when diving backmount, regardless of how many you are carrying under your arms. The placement of the cylinder on your back allows for better weight distribution.