sidemounting

Sidemounting, in the context of scuba diving, is a configuration in which breathing gas cylinders are carried along the diver’s sides rather than on the back. This setup is used for both recreational diving and specialized environments such as caves and wrecks, offering different handling, gas management, and redundancy compared with traditional back-mount configurations.

The typical sidemount arrangement involves two cylinders mounted on either side of the diver’s torso, attached to a harness, backplate, or purpose-built sidemount rig. Each cylinder generally has its own first stage regulator, and divers commonly use a primary regulator from one cylinder, with a secondary or bailout regulator from the other. Additional bottles, such as a redundant bailout or stage cylinders, can be mounted as needed. Hoses and valves are arranged to minimize snag hazards and improve access, with careful attention to gas planning and the ability to share gas if necessary.

Advantages of sidemounting include enhanced gas management and redundancy, easier access to regulators, and a more streamlined profile in overhead environments. The configuration can facilitate entering and exiting tight spaces and may reduce back strain by distributing weight differently. It also allows divers to carry larger gas supplies without a bulky back-mounted rig and to adjust buoyancy more precisely during the dive.

Training and safety are essential, as sidemounting requires careful setup, weighting, buoyancy control, and gas planning. Divers typically learn specific procedures for assembling, checking, and de-rigging sidemount gear, as well as emergency gas sharing and bailout practices.