Quick overview of sidemount diving

 

Sidemount diving is a relatively new diving technique that has gained significant popularity in recent years. Sidemount diving involves carrying tanks on either side of the diver, rather than on the back as in traditional back-mounted diving. This technique allows for greater flexibility and maneuverability underwater, making it ideal for cave diving, wreck diving, and technical diving.

 

The origins of sidemount diving can be traced back to the 1960s, when a group of cave divers in Florida began experimenting with different ways to carry tanks while diving in tight spaces. In the early days, these divers simply carried two small tanks on either side of their body using homemade harnesses. While this was a significant improvement over back-mounted tanks, the equipment was still rudimentary and had many limitations.

 

It wasn't until the 1980s that sidemount diving began to gain more widespread acceptance. The key figure in the development of modern sidemount diving was a British cave diver named Martyn Farr. Farr was one of the pioneers of cave diving in the UK and had extensive experience diving in tight, confined spaces. In the mid-1980s, Farr began experimenting with different ways to carry tanks while diving in caves. He developed a system that involved attaching two tanks to a harness that was worn around the waist, with the tanks positioned on either side of the diver's body.

 

Farr's sidemount system quickly gained popularity among cave divers in the UK and Europe, and it wasn't long before other divers around the world began to adopt the technique. In the early days, sidemount diving was primarily used by cave divers, who appreciated the greater flexibility and maneuverability that it offered. However, as the technique became more widely known, it began to be used in other types of diving as well.

 

One of the biggest advantages of sidemount diving is the ability to carry more than one tank. This is particularly important in technical diving, where divers need to spend extended periods of time underwater and may need to switch between different gas mixtures. With sidemount diving, it is possible to carry multiple tanks, which makes it easier to manage gas supplies and reduces the need for frequent ascents to the surface.

 

Today, sidemount diving is a widely accepted and popular diving technique. It is used by recreational and technical divers all over the world, and many diving agencies offer sidemount diving courses. As equipment has improved, like better and dedicated BCDs like the XDEEP Stealth Tech or the Hollis Katana 2  sidemount diving has become even more accessible and easy to learn. With its many advantages and benefits, it is likely that sidemount diving will continue to grow in popularity in the years to come.