A Guide to Tec Sidemount Diving: Advantages and Gear You Need

A Guide to Tec Sidemount Diving: Advantages and Gear You Need

Technical diving requires precision, skill, and the right equipment, and one configuration that has gained popularity among technical divers is sidemount diving. Originally used by cave divers, sidemount setups are now widely adopted in deep, wreck, and technical diving due to their flexibility, redundancy, and improved comfort underwater.

If you're looking to expand your technical diving skills, this guide will walk you through the advantages of sidemount diving, the essential gear you need, and why it might be the perfect choice for your next technical dive.

What Is Sidemount Diving?

Unlike the traditional backmount setup, where divers carry cylinders on their backs, sidemount diving involves mounting one or two cylinders on the sides of the body. This configuration offers better balance, increased redundancy, and easier cylinder management, making it an excellent choice for technical and cave divers.

Advantages of Tec Sidemount Diving

1. Enhanced Redundancy and Safety

In technical diving, redundancy is critical. With sidemount diving, each cylinder is completely independent, meaning you have separate first and second-stage regulators. This setup ensures that if one system fails, you still have another fully operational cylinder to rely on.

✅ Benefit: Increased safety in decompression dives, wreck penetration, and cave diving.

2. Better Trim and Streamlining

Sidemount diving promotes a horizontal, streamlined position, reducing drag and improving buoyancy control. This makes it easier to maneuver in tight spaces like caves and wrecks while also conserving energy during deep dives.

✅ Benefit: Effortless buoyancy and improved air efficiency, especially in overhead environments.

3. Easier Equipment Transport and Handling

Unlike backmount setups, which require lifting heavy twinsets, sidemount cylinders can be carried separately and clipped on in the water. This is particularly beneficial for shore entries, boat dives, and traveling divers.

✅ Benefit: No need to carry heavy tanks on your back before entering the water.

4. Increased Gas Supply for Extended Dives

Technical divers often require multiple gas mixes for deep diving. Sidemount configurations allow for easy gas switching, making it ideal for trimix dives, extended decompression stops, and staged cave penetrations.

✅ Benefit: More gas capacity and flexibility when planning deep and long dives.

5. Customization and Comfort

Sidemount rigs are highly customizable, allowing divers to adjust tank positioning, regulator routing, and harness fit for maximum comfort. Unlike standard backmount setups, sidemount allows for personalized adjustments to suit different body types and dive styles.

✅ Benefit: More control over your gear setup, leading to a better diving experience.

Essential Gear for Tec Sidemount Diving

To transition into technical sidemount diving, you'll need the right equipment. Here’s a breakdown of the essential gear:

1. Sidemount Harness and Wing System

A proper sidemount system consists of a harness and wing-style BCD designed to accommodate side-mounted cylinders while ensuring buoyancy and stability.

✅ Popular Choices:

  • Apeks WSX-45 – Ideal for technical sidemount diving.
  • Hollis Katana 2 – Compact, durable, and great for wrecks and caves.
  • XDeep Stealth 2.0 Tec – Offers high modularity and excellent buoyancy control.

2. Cylinders and Regulators

Technical sidemount diving requires two or more cylinders, typically aluminum or steel tanks, depending on buoyancy needs. Each cylinder should have its own first and second-stage regulator, SPG, and long hose for gas sharing.

✅ Recommended Setup:

  • DIN valve cylinders for better sealing in high-pressure dives.
  • Balanced first-stage regulators (e.g., Apeks XTX50, Scubapro MK25 EVO).
  • Long hose (2m/7ft) on one regulator for gas sharing in emergencies.

3. Bungee and Cylinder Attachment Clips

Bungee systems keep the cylinders in place under the arms, maintaining a streamlined position. Bolt snaps or cam bands secure the tanks to D-rings on the harness.

✅ Key Accessories:

  • Adjustable bungee loops for tank positioning.
  • Bolt snaps or quick-release clips for easy cylinder attachment.

4. Backup Lights and Dive Computer

Technical sidemount diving often involves wreck penetration and cave diving, making backup lights and an advanced dive computer essential.

✅ Recommended Equipment:

  • Primary and backup lights (e.g., Dive Rite LX20, BigBlue VTL2600).
  • Multi-gas dive computer with sidemount mode (e.g., Shearwater Perdix AI, Garmin Descent Mk2i).

Is Sidemount Right for You?

If you’re a technical diver looking for greater flexibility, comfort, and redundancy, sidemount diving might be the perfect upgrade for your diving career. Here’s how to get started:

✔ Take a Tec Sidemount Course – Training is key to mastering sidemount skills. PADI and TDI offer specialized courses for technical sidemount diving.
✔ Choose the Right Gear – Invest in a high-quality sidemount harness, regulators, and accessories for your diving needs.
✔ Practice, Practice, Practice – Spend time fine-tuning buoyancy, gas switching, and emergency drills in a controlled environment before attempting complex dives.

Start Your Tec Sidemount Journey with Extreme Water Sports

At Extreme Water Sports in Fujairah, UAE, we offer:

✅ PADI & TDI Sidemount Diving Courses – Learn the skills to safely dive with a sidemount setup.
✅ Technical Diving Expeditions – Explore deep wrecks and caves with expert instructors.
✅ Equipment Rental & Gas Blending – Get trimix, nitrox, and sidemount-specific gear for your next dive.

📅 Ready to experience the freedom of sidemount diving? Contact us today to book your sidemount training or guided dive experience! 🌊🤿

Back to Blog Posts