Backmount

Backmount is a mounting configuration in which equipment is carried on the back of a person. In scuba diving, backmount refers to a system in which gas cylinders are mounted on the diver’s back, usually on a backplate and harness, rather than on the side or in front. This arrangement is common in technical diving and cave diving, where gas management and trim are important, and it facilitates carrying larger gas supplies for extended dives.

Backmount setups may use a single backgas cylinder or a twinset, consisting of two cylinders mounted on the back and connected to regulators. Regulators can be attached directly to each cylinder or linked via a manifold depending on the configuration. The backmount approach also pairs with a buoyancy compensator (BCD) or wing and a harness, enabling the diver to distribute weight on land and in water.

Advantages include improved gas supply capacity, better balance and buoyancy control with certain cylinder sizes, and flexibility for overhead environments where access to cylinders from the side is restricted. Backmount can also simplify entry and exit in some boat and overhead-wreck scenarios. Disadvantages include increased equipment weight and bulk, greater setup complexity, and the need for specialized training and procedures to manage gas switching and emergency procedures.

Outside diving, backmount can refer more generally to any equipment mounted on the back of a person or platform. However, the term is most often encountered in scuba diving literature and training, where it denotes a distinct approach to cylinder configuration and gas management.