Sidemount or Backmount for Wreckdiving

As we are planning the 2024 ISE Wreck Safari to Coron we ran into this discussion and I found this a very nice topic for a video.

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Achim Schlöffel
c/o InnerSpace Explorers
Obere Dorfstrasse 16
83539 Pfaffing
Germany

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[CoastalDevelopment]

I love this, as it is super controversial, that guarantees much more engagement than those "how to clips, " and it brings the haters out of their caves 😂

[eddieguyvh]

For my part, I went full sidemount 4 years ago, and that's always my number one choice. I'm almost always the first one on the water, wether it is from a RIB or any other type of boat. I don't need help to get on the boat either. And it's a pleasure for gear transportation, I can also dive with one, two three or four tanks without changing anything on my harness. I still have a small double 8.5L for shallow or non-technical diving, but that's not my preferred setup.
I'll be getting a CCR certification soon, on the Flex2.

[grantmacdonald]

I sidemount off boats. I giant stride or backroll with tanks on no problem. Cant walk back up on ladders too.
People are rarely waiting on me, usually the opposite.

Biggest benefit is when traveling I can always run doubles no matter what tanks are available. Also my bcd folds up very small.

[timgosling]

Both have their advantages and disadvantages; I look at what I'm going to do and pick accordingly. For general open water diving I do prefer sidemount; I just find it more comfortable. But I do both because I enjoy having the skills for both.

[tss]

I wish you would do more videos where you teach techniques preparation and how to carry equipment for local and airline destinations, thanks.

[robertrichard]

95% of the time I'm shore diving and sometime with long walk, so sidemount is way easier. I think it depend on each one of us but for me I would go sidemount for that trip because I'm more effective due that I allways dive that way.

[eternaljonah]

We do a lot of exploration in remote areas in Índia, and any dive we need 2 tanks or more we do in sidemount for the simplicity and flexibility it offers. Even for the divers who prefer Backmount doubles it’s mostly independent doubles.

[matthewwyjad]

I actually enjoy jumping in with side mount period there is a dive that we do regularly where I live off a pier. There are two ways to get in one walk around and down the boat launch or two jump off the pier. It's an eight foot drop, but that is the way I go in now.

[EricStott]

I side mount dive exclusively.
I appreciate that i can travel anywhere and sidemount. My XDeep Stealth BC is travel friendly. I bring my tank straps and anywhere rents two tanks.
I love hauling my tanks to the water's edge just out of my vehicle. Going back and getting all of my gear on, then (relaxingly) walk down (carrying hardly any weight) and strapping the tanks on in the water.
I love the acrobatics i can do in the water. Millennium Falcon'ing (a term my backmounted doubles dive buddy has termed) through obstacles.
MOST IMPORTANT: i doff my tanks before i get out of the water, and without putting my nitrogen loaded tissues under pressure, walk to my vehicle without the extra load. Change out of my drysuit and after a while, go grab my tanks.

[cbakopanos]

Very good and justified opinion on a very controversial topic! Love it!

[jabberwolf]

The only time I would use doubles, would be because I would need multiple stage tanks for deco in open water.

[bbl]

Be lucky you have a good back and are strong enough to carry doubles. For those of us with back issues, sidemount is a godsend for open water. Also it’s great for shore dives as you don and doff in the water rather than enter with everything on your back.
Also the independent systems for redundancy. If your backmount doubles manifold blows, you’re screwed. Sidemount is much safer

[valtterimattila]

The biggest argument for sidemount for me is that you can use the same tool for everything. Backmount could be a better tool for something but you'd have to own two different tools and be able to operate both equally competently. Not to mention carrying all the tools or trying to find a set of doubles in the destination. So this question is really for people who already have all the tools and skills. For people interested getting into technical diving, especially overhead, I would always recommend sidemount as the do-it-all tool.

[redolds]

5:10 for some reason at this point in the video I imagined an extremely long long-hose configuration

[seanstevenson]

Backmount provides more failure response options in the form of the isolation manifold than does sidemount. Logistically, a failure response option which provides continued access to the entire gas supply is superior to managing sidemount supplies in the same failure scenario. Ergo, sidemount is a tool that I move to only when clearance issues preclude backmounts.

[GerardoDiaz-wk]

Hello Could you please tell me where you got your tee shirt of Darth Vader Diving

[jjnxyz]

Backmount is more stable, side mount more agile. With back mount the tanks are a solid extension of you, while with side mount they can move separately from you.

If they made a solid side mount that stayed perfectly on your side and didn't move around like a loose rec single with a flexible strap... Then sides would always win...

[Bierstadt]

Sidemount diving off of boats is a skills/training issue. I sidemount everywhere. That said, it isn't for everyone. Every configuration has its own advantages and drawbacks and the weight of those varies based on the scenario and the diver in question. As far as mixed teams, the sidemount diver has different points in gearing up and recovering to the the boat than a doubles diver but again, this is a skills and experience issue. It's nice to jump in light with an equipment line festooned with tanks and not have to waddle around with 4 tanks, but a fully kitted up jump is the go-to in rough weather just like with doubles. Sidemount and doubles go together quite well. Single tank backmount is fine too. Open circuit and rebreathers is not a good mix; it's two teams going together on the same dive.

[avances]

Hello Achim! I'm a fan of yours from Spain. I've been watching you for years, not missing a single video. I hope you never stop!

The topic is very interesting, although I see it differently. You yourself acknowledge that sidemount extends the limits of diving, but in wrecks, there are many situations like that submarine, many. And it's not superhardcore penetration simply because you can't fit with your doubles, you just couldn't enter through doors or places that you could have entered with sidemount, with the same (or more, in my opinion) safety.

I respect that you prefer not to penetrate through wreck sites, but sidemount cannot be refuted by talking about an explorer with a 7L in nomount. Sidemount has the same safety as doubles, which doesn't make it a dangerous hardcore penetration, it simply allows you to see more areas of the wreck, and ultimately, that's what we like.

Furthermore, and this is a personal opinion, I believe that well-executed sidemount doesn't keep anyone waiting and is very convenient to set up from a boat in calm waters. So, in my opinion, backmount should be called "a tool for a need: jumping from a boat with currents or heavy waves, " and not sidemount as "a tool for passing restrictions."

Thank you for sharing so much knowledge and for all I've learned and debated with you!

[jacobkrause]

I would love to hear why you disagree with mixed teams, specifically OC and CCR. I personally feel it requires a bit more planning on the CCR divers part, but can be done 100% safely. You always bring a great different perspective to these issues. I want to hear your thoughts!