Diving with 2 tanks in your side, have you ever think about that before? Well that dive called side mount diving, usually the tec dive uses it for cave penetration so they can move more freely in the small cave without worry being trapped with the tank behind.
We had the opportunity to learn about tech dive level and this time one of the examiner taught us about all of that information. First he told us about level in tech dive. What we have to do to take the first level and higher level. He shared brief information about Tec 40 until Tec instructor, maybe someday we want to continue our education to be Tec instructor and with this level we can go deeper and longer than the ordinary recreational diver. Of course with more equipment and different gas blend.
Beside Tec dive, he also taught us about rebreather dive, the different between CCR and SCR, he told us in brief but its already enough to make us amaze with the cool video. We can close to aquatic life without disturb them because it will be less bubble if we use it. For rebreather it also divides into 2 recreational rebreather and Tec rebreather. Of course Tec rebreather more complicated than the recreational one which designed automatic use.
And the last but not the least, side mount diving. He showed us the cool video about the diver exploring cave with the side mount equipment... need a lot of practice to move like that I guess ;P PADI will announce this new specialty maybe next year so if you want to discover a new way in diving, you can take this specialty ( check Crystal Divers )
The benefits of side mount are:
1. Ease of streamlining equipment. When you need or want more than one cylinder, side mount provides a very streamlined package compared to many back mount configurations. This can reduce drag and avoids contact with the environment.
2. Easier equipment transport. Most people find it easier can be more easily managed on land because the cylinders than one set of doubles because you can carry them separately. When making dives that require three or more cylinders, this simplicity becomes increasing noticeable.
3.Versatility. Side mount works well with many types of recreational and technical diving, making it a great way to expand your capabilities with a single basic configuration.
4. Equipment availability. In some places, it can be difficult to get manifolded doubles, whereas you can get single cylinders any place people dive.
5.Accessibility. In sidemount, the regulator first stage and valves are in front of you where they’re visible and accessible. This makes it easier to spot and deal with problems.
6. Adjustability. Most sidemount configurations allow you to fine tune equipment fit and trim during the dive to enhance streamlining and body position. Most divers find this makes sidemount more comfortable than other configurations.
7. Problem solving. In recreational diving, sidemount makes it possible to handle an out-of-gas problem without your buddy as your primary alternate air source. In tec diving, you always have at least two life support systems; sidemount provides this.
Pool session time!!!! This was what we were waiting for whole day. Thomas let us to try his sidemount equipment. Actually you can use the BCD for sidemount and back mount, all you need to do is change the strap position, one more regulator ( if you use 2 tank) and of course a clip for hang the tanks. He showed us how to assemble the equipment and Eri got the first chance to try it... He was wearing the equipment in the pool with Thomas's help and he was ready to rock! He dived smoothly under the water, he tried to unclip and play with both tanks. Thomas told us that we will have better buoyancy with this side mount and yes indeed he is right!
All the interns had chanced to try this BCD and beside that the other dive master trainees also wanted to try it and we were really having fun the pool. Thanks Thomas for the lesson and the pool dive ^^
