Sidemount- Principles For Success Jun 2026

The most common failure in sidemount diving is asymmetrical gas consumption. Divers will breathe one tank down to 500 PSI (35 bar) while the other remains at 2,000 PSI (140 bar). This is not just poor practice; it is a safety hazard.

In sidemount, your center of gravity is lower and more adjustable than in backmount. Sidemount- Principles For Success

When you clip on a full tank, the valve should sit just below your armpit, and the bottom of the cylinder should rest neatly under your buttock, not behind your hamstring. The most common failure in sidemount diving is

One universal rule: the long hose routes under the top tank bungee and over the lower cylinder. Any other routing guarantees entanglement. Sidemount- Principles For Success