Tech Diving: Sidemount vs. Backmount – Which is Better?
Technical divers have two primary equipment configurations to choose from: Sidemount and Backmount. Both setups have advantages and are suited for different types of diving, including wreck, cave, and deep technical diving. Your choice depends on your dive environment, comfort, and diving goals.
Sidemount Configuration
Sidemount diving involves wearing cylinders along the sides of the body rather than on the back. This configuration was originally developed for cave diving but has gained popularity among technical divers in open water and wreck environments.
✅ Advantages of Sidemount Diving:
✔ Streamlined Profile – Reduces drag, making it ideal for narrow caves and wreck penetration.
✔ Easy Cylinder Management – Divers can attach, remove, and switch cylinders in the water.
✔ Redundancy & Safety – Independent gas supply from two tanks increases redundancy.
✔ Less Back Strain – Cylinders are carried separately, reducing the strain of heavy back-mounted doubles.
✔ Better Trim & Control – Sidemount allows precise buoyancy adjustments for improved trim and horizontal positioning.
Backmount Configuration
Backmount is the traditional scuba setup where tanks are secured to the diver’s back, either as twinsets (doubles) or single cylinders. It is widely used in deep technical diving and open water exploration.
✅ Advantages of Backmount Diving:
✔ Proven & Widely Used – Standard configuration for deep and open water tech dives.
✔ Easier to Learn – Most divers are already familiar with backmounted setups.
✔ Efficient for Deep & Trimix Diving – Suitable for carrying large gas volumes.
✔ More Support from Dive Centers – Most dive shops and liveaboards are set up for backmount diving.
Final Thoughts
Both sidemount and backmount configurations have their place in technical diving. Many divers train in both setups to be versatile depending on the dive site and conditions. The key is to train, adapt, and choose the best system for your dive environment.
Are you considering sidemount or backmount for a specific type of dive? Let me know, and I can guide you on training options or gear recommendations! 🌊🤿
Tech Diving Sidemount or Backmount