Sidemount scuba is simply a well polished approach to gear configuration for cave diving in unusually tight conditions. It employs innovation and discipline to produce an arrangement of scuba unlike any the typical diver is accustomed to.

Sidemount Cave Diving is quickly gaining popularity as an alternate method of gas management. Instead of carrying a redundant primary air source on the back, Sidemount utilizes the versatility of the advanced cave diver to split the typical twin cylinders and relocate them under each arm. In doing so, the cave diver minimizes direct physical contact with the cave, and is able to proceed through unusually tight passages.

The low vertical profile of the cave diver’s air supply allows the scuba cylinders to be easily manipulated, and carried in a less cumbersome manner. The absence of large scuba cylinders on the back helps to avoid damage to critical life support equipment from careless strikes to the cave ceiling.

Even in conditions that don’t necessarily call for the specialization of Sidemount, a diver may choose to incorporate such techniques simply as an added means of cave conservation, advanced gas management or simple comfort.

The boundary between distinct limestone layers are what cave divers call bedding planes. Bedding planes provide an excellent place for underwater passageways to form. Unfortunately, such passageways, while wide, are often not tall enough to permit divers with back-mounted cylinders to pass. Cave divers responded to this challenge by developing the technique of sidemounting.

Additionally, some divers who suffer from back problems or disabilities that affect use of their legs find that sidemounting provides a welcome alternative to the use of heavy, back-mounted doubles.

For many years, it was impossible to purchase off-the-shelf equipment for sidemounting. For a long time, the terms best used to describe sidemount equipment included words such as home made and jury rigged. Fortunately, these days are over.

Then designing the Transpac II, Lamar Hires also developed a system for modifying the Transpac harness and Trek Wings air cell so that the same harness can be used for sidemounting, as well as for backmounted singles and doubles. Switching back and forth between these configurations takes only a matter of minutes.

( Articles by Lamar Hires and Bill Rennaker )

Sidemount Equipment Requirements:

• 1- Dual or single bladder sidemount system with 15” inflator hose or hoses
• 2- Stainless Steel tank Cam Bands
• 4- Stainless Steel Butterfly snaps
• 2- Stainless Steel weight keepers
• 1- 1/4 inch bungee cord for second stage necklace
• 1- Regulator with 7 foot lp hose and 1 second stage
• 1- Regulator with 34 inch lp hose and 1 second stage
• 2- Tanks of your choice (minimum size 40cf)
• 2- Hp gauges with 6 inch hoses
• 2- Stainless Steel Omni or like swivels
• 1- Stainless Steel small bolt snap for second stage regulator

Other equipment needed for Tec class:

• 1- Dry suit, wet suit or both
• 1- Mask, fins, hood
• 1- 15 or 8 inch dry suit hose inflator hose
• 2- Retainer straps for securing long hose on tank
• 1- 10 watt or equivalent primary light
• 3- Back up lights with at least 1.5 hours of burn time each
• 1- safety spool with 140′ of line
• 2- jump or gap spools with at least 60′ of line
• 1- multi gas computer
• 2- deco regulators with 34 inch lp hose, pressure gauge with 6 inch hp hose and rigging kits
• 1- 100 lbs lift bag
• 1- wrist slate with 3 tables
• 1- wet notes
• 1- timing device
• 1- depth gauge
• 1- z- knife