Sidemount 101: Is It Right for You? (And What Gear You Actually Need)

If you've spent any time on a dive boat or scrolling through scuba feeds recently, you’ve probably seen them: divers walking around without a tank on their back, instead carrying a cylinder tucked cleanly under each arm. They look like aquatic fighter jets, moving through the water with effortless horizontal trim.

This is sidemount diving.

Originally invented by British sump divers and refined by Florida cave explorers to squeeze through incredibly tight rock restrictions, sidemount has exploded into the mainstream recreational and technical diving worlds.

But is it just a fad? Is it only for cave divers? Or is it the solution to your diving woes?

At Paragon Dive Store, we are massive advocates of the sidemount configuration. It changes the way you interact with the water, but it isn't for everyone, and it requires a very specific set of gear. Here is the ultimate 101 guide to help you decide if sidemount is your next step, and exactly what equipment you need to get started.

Why Dive Sidemount? (The Pros)

Divers don't switch to sidemount just to look cool (though that is a nice bonus). They switch to solve problems.

1. The End of Back Pain: A standard back-mounted steel tank and BCD can weigh 50+ pounds. Walking to the water or climbing a boat ladder with that weight crushing your spine is exhausting. With sidemount, your back is completely free. You can walk to the water wearing just your harness, have a buddy hand you your tanks in the water, and clip them on while floating.
2. True Redundancy: When you dive sidemount, you are carrying two completely independent air sources. Two tanks, two valves, two first stages. If a regulator free-flows or an O-ring blows, you have an immediate, full backup system right next to you.
3. Ultimate Valve Protection and Access: In a backmount setup, your tank valve sits behind your head. In sidemount, your valves are located right under your armpits. You can see them, reach them easily, and identify a problem instantly.
4. The "Fighter Jet" Trim: Because the weight of the tanks is distributed along the sides of your body, right at your center of gravity, achieving a perfectly flat, horizontal trim is incredibly easy.

The Challenges (Is It Right for You?)

We love sidemount, but we are also candid about its learning curve. It requires a different mindset.

• Task Loading: You are no longer breathing from one tank. To keep your buoyancy balanced, you have to switch regulators (breathing from the left tank, then the right tank) every 500 psi.
• Rigging Time: A jacket BCD is "plug and play." Sidemount is an art form. It takes time to size the bungees perfectly, adjust the bolt snaps on your tanks, and route your hoses cleanly.
• Boat Logistics: Diving sidemount from a small, crowded boat requires a solid plan with the captain on how you will enter and exit the water (usually clipping tanks on a tag line).

What Gear Do You Actually Need?

You cannot simply strap two tanks to a regular BCD. A proper sidemount setup requires a dedicated, purpose-built kit.

1. The Harness and Wing

A sidemount system consists of a minimalist webbing harness and a specialized wing that sits flat against your back. It features attachment points for the bottom of the tanks, and a bungee system to hold the top of the tanks tight to your armpits.

• Top Picks: XDeep Stealth 2.0, the Dive Rite Nomad, or the Halcyon Zero Gravity.

2. The Regulators (The Sidemount Kit)

You need two separate regulator sets. Purpose-built sidemount regulators feature a rotating turret and a 5th low-pressure port pointing straight down, allowing hoses to route tightly against your body.

• Left Tank: A short hose with your backup second stage (worn on a bungee necklace) and a short BCD inflator hose.
• Right Tank: A long hose (usually 5 to 7 feet) for your primary breathing regulator, and a short drysuit inflator hose if needed.

3. Tank Rigging Hardware

You will need a rigging kit for each cylinder, consisting of a heavy-duty hose clamp, tubular nylon webbing, and two large stainless steel bolt snaps.

4. The Tanks (Aluminum vs. Steel)

• Aluminum 80s (AL80): The standard for warm water and travel. They become positively buoyant as they empty, requiring you to clip the bottom to a lower D-ring during the dive.
• Steel Tanks: Excellent for cold water diving. They remain negatively buoyant the entire dive, providing exceptional stability.

The Next Step: Get Trained

The most important "gear" you need for sidemount is proper instruction. Do not buy a harness, watch a YouTube video, and jump in the ocean. The magic of sidemount relies entirely on millimeter-perfect adjustments to your harness and bungees.

Ready to drop the weight off your back and experience the freedom of sidemount? Visit Paragon Dive Store in Tucson. Our expert instructors can help you select the right harness, build your regulator kit, and get you enrolled in a Sidemount certification course that will transform the way you dive.

Explore Our Complete Range of Sidemount Harnesses and Regulators!