Sidemounting with Aluminum Tanks

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 19th June 2006, 16:34

After seeing a picture of myself (a great way to see how your gear configuration is working out), I changed my sidemount setup, lengthening the tail straps on my aluminum 40 tanks. However, even when full, the tail is floating up. With an oxygen bottle down to 500 psi, it floated so much that it was in the way when I went to practice shutting down the oxygen valve during a solenoid stuck open drill.

If you carry aluminum 40s, how much weight are you adding to your tanks to keep it from floating up? I want the minimum possible. I am guessing that two pounds should do it. This would be for salt water.

Crazyduck · 19th June 2006, 17:11

I am using 2lbs in freshwater for Al40's and 4lbs for Al80's.

Since I use a tank strap on the bottom of the tank I thread it through there. It does scar the tank. I was thinking of moving to Diverite weight/trim pockets for vacationing and moving in between different tanks.

Some people like a certain amount of lift to show the tank is empty- not myself.

I would be interested in any pictures.
Is this turning into a low profile- Optima.

Andrew

dive2dive2000 · 19th June 2006, 17:58

Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami)

After seeing a picture of myself (a great way to see how your gear configuration is working out), I changed my sidemount setup, lengthening the tail straps on my aluminum 40 tanks. However, even when full, the tail is floating up. With an oxygen bottle down to 500 psi, it floated so much that it was in the way when I went to practice shutting down the oxygen valve during a solenoid stuck open drill.

If you carry aluminum 40s, how much weight are you adding to your tanks to keep it from floating up? I want the minimum possible. I am guessing that two pounds should do it. This would be for salt water.

I sidemount my bail out AL 40 keeping the tail clip almost at the bottom of the tank and no weights on the bottle. Being my Rebreather is on my back I weight my rig and body and not my bail out bottle. I rig my bottle this way because it hands directly on my side and under my arm. When diving OC side mount there are other factors to consider with triming because nothing is on your back, remember side mount slinging is a modification so somethings will alter from traditional OC sidemount rigging. If you start weighting your BO bottle it is past your center of gravity and your trim might be altered drasticly.

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 19th June 2006, 18:19

I guess I should have mentioned another thing: I am not using the bungee cord for the top of the tanks. I am clipping them to my shoulder d-rings. So, the top of the tank is low, and the bottom goes high. I figured that lengthing the back and weighting it a little would keep the tanks parallel to me although a bit lower than using a full sidemount setup with bungees.

I haven't used the bungees because I can't see how you can remove and install the bottles quickly when having to pass them back and forth while using open circuit during a bailout. Perhaps I am missing something here. If so, please give me the good word about this.

Thanks again.

dive2dive2000 · 19th June 2006, 18:43

Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami)

I guess I should have mentioned another thing: I am not using the bungee cord for the top of the tanks. I am clipping them to my shoulder d-rings. So, the top of the tank is low, and the bottom goes high. I figured that lengthing the back and weighting it a little would keep the tanks parallel to me although a bit lower than using a full sidemount setup with bungees.

I haven't used the bungees because I can't see how you can remove and install the bottles quickly when having to pass them back and forth while using open circuit during a bailout. Perhaps I am missing something here. If so, please give me the good word about this.

Thanks again.

Then why side mount? You should be able to don and remove just as easy, not sure what you are doing. Your set up does not make sense to me, you are hanging the neck of the bottle in front of you and trying to hang the bottom behind you

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 19th June 2006, 18:51

Well, this is why I said that I might be missing something. So, please explain to me how one reaches back and removes a tank with a deployed regulator from the bungees, and how long this takes. What do you do if your buddy does not use sidemounts, and you have to trade bottles back and forth?

I have put a d-ring on my waist just in case others in my team do not have the same setup. So, I can clip a bottle on the side in a pinch.

dive2dive2000 · 19th June 2006, 19:30

Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami)

Well, this is why I said that I might be missing something. So, please explain to me how one reaches back and removes a tank with a deployed regulator from the bungees, and how long this takes. What do you do if your buddy does not use sidemounts, and you have to trade bottles back and forth?

I have put a d-ring on my waist just in case others in my team do not have the same setup. So, I can clip a bottle on the side in a pinch.

I sent you a pm

Curt Bowen · 19th June 2006, 21:55

Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami)

Well, this is why I said that I might be missing something. So, please explain to me how one reaches back and removes a tank with a deployed regulator from the bungees, and how long this takes. What do you do if your buddy does not use sidemounts, and you have to trade bottles back and forth?

I have put a d-ring on my waist just in case others in my team do not have the same setup. So, I can clip a bottle on the side in a pinch.

Sounds like you need to come to N florida, or I come to Miami and give you some in water, sidemount pointers.

Clipping your stages to your chest D-rings completely defeats the reason to sidemount.

I am planning on coming over to the east coast next month for some wreck dives and photography for some editorial for issue 24. Feel free to join the group if you wish. Dont know the dates or costs yet???

Curt Bowen

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 19th June 2006, 22:17

Quote: (Originally Posted by Curt Bowen)

Sounds like you need to come to N florida, or I come to Miami and give you some in water, sidemount pointers.

Clipping your stages to your chest D-rings completely defeats the reason to sidemount.

I am planning on coming over to the east coast next month for some wreck dives and photography for some editorial for issue 24. Feel free to join the group if you wish. Dont know the dates or costs yet???

Curt Bowen

Sounds like a plan. Just let me know when you are headed to the east side.

**UWSojourner** · 19th June 2006, 22:54

Quote: (Originally Posted by Curt Bowen)

Sounds like you need to come to N florida, or I come to Miami and give you some in water, sidemount pointers.

Clipping your stages to your chest D-rings completely defeats the reason to sidemount.

Hey Curt,

I tried the sidemount system for the first time last week. I probably have some adjustments to make (cam band lower I think), but any general info you have might be nice for the rest of us also. I couldn't get everything setup by myself, especially getting the bungee looped around the tank ... couldn't get hold of the bungee.

Kevin

19th June 2006, 16:34	#1 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 1,890	Sidemounting with Aluminum Tanks After seeing a picture of myself (a great way to see how your gear configuration is working out), I changed my sidemount setup, lengthening the tail straps on my aluminum 40 tanks. However, even when full, the tail is floating up. With an oxygen bottle down to 500 psi, it floated so much that it was in the way when I went to practice shutting down the oxygen valve during a solenoid stuck open drill. If you carry aluminum 40s, how much weight are you adding to your tanks to keep it from floating up? I want the minimum possible. I am guessing that two pounds should do it. This would be for salt water. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com Last edited by ScubaDadMiami : 19th June 2006 at 16:38.
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19th June 2006, 17:11	#2 (permalink)
Crazyduck Underwater Mechanic Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: TEXAS, Dallas/ Ft.Worth Posts: 694	Re: Sidemounting with Aluminum Tanks I am using 2lbs in freshwater for Al40's and 4lbs for Al80's. Since I use a tank strap on the bottom of the tank I thread it through there. It does scar the tank. I was thinking of moving to Diverite weight/trim pockets for vacationing and moving in between different tanks. Some people like a certain amount of lift to show the tank is empty- not myself. I would be interested in any pictures. Is this turning into a low profile- Optima. Andrew __________________ Howdy Senor- What’s Happening! Rob Davie April 2005- Presently in a state of transition from Open Circuit to Closed Circuit. "You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by it." - Buddha. Last edited by Crazyduck : 19th June 2006 at 17:14.
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19th June 2006, 17:58	#3 (permalink)
dive2dive2000 PRISM DIVER & LUVIN IT! Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 775	Re: Sidemounting with Aluminum Tanks Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami) After seeing a picture of myself (a great way to see how your gear configuration is working out), I changed my sidemount setup, lengthening the tail straps on my aluminum 40 tanks. However, even when full, the tail is floating up. With an oxygen bottle down to 500 psi, it floated so much that it was in the way when I went to practice shutting down the oxygen valve during a solenoid stuck open drill. If you carry aluminum 40s, how much weight are you adding to your tanks to keep it from floating up? I want the minimum possible. I am guessing that two pounds should do it. This would be for salt water. I sidemount my bail out AL 40 keeping the tail clip almost at the bottom of the tank and no weights on the bottle. Being my Rebreather is on my back I weight my rig and body and not my bail out bottle. I rig my bottle this way because it hands directly on my side and under my arm. When diving OC side mount there are other factors to consider with triming because nothing is on your back, remember side mount slinging is a modification so somethings will alter from traditional OC sidemount rigging. If you start weighting your BO bottle it is past your center of gravity and your trim might be altered drasticly. __________________ Safe Diving, Martin "but what's the fun of getting what you need, instead of what you want?"
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19th June 2006, 18:19	#4 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 1,890	Re: Sidemounting with Aluminum Tanks I guess I should have mentioned another thing: I am not using the bungee cord for the top of the tanks. I am clipping them to my shoulder d-rings. So, the top of the tank is low, and the bottom goes high. I figured that lengthing the back and weighting it a little would keep the tanks parallel to me although a bit lower than using a full sidemount setup with bungees. I haven't used the bungees because I can't see how you can remove and install the bottles quickly when having to pass them back and forth while using open circuit during a bailout. Perhaps I am missing something here. If so, please give me the good word about this. Thanks again. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
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19th June 2006, 18:43	#5 (permalink)
dive2dive2000 PRISM DIVER & LUVIN IT! Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 775	Re: Sidemounting with Aluminum Tanks Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami) I guess I should have mentioned another thing: I am not using the bungee cord for the top of the tanks. I am clipping them to my shoulder d-rings. So, the top of the tank is low, and the bottom goes high. I figured that lengthing the back and weighting it a little would keep the tanks parallel to me although a bit lower than using a full sidemount setup with bungees. I haven't used the bungees because I can't see how you can remove and install the bottles quickly when having to pass them back and forth while using open circuit during a bailout. Perhaps I am missing something here. If so, please give me the good word about this. Thanks again. Then why side mount? You should be able to don and remove just as easy, not sure what you are doing. Your set up does not make sense to me, you are hanging the neck of the bottle in front of you and trying to hang the bottom behind you __________________ Safe Diving, Martin "but what's the fun of getting what you need, instead of what you want?"
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19th June 2006, 18:51	#6 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 1,890	Re: Sidemounting with Aluminum Tanks Well, this is why I said that I might be missing something. So, please explain to me how one reaches back and removes a tank with a deployed regulator from the bungees, and how long this takes. What do you do if your buddy does not use sidemounts, and you have to trade bottles back and forth? I have put a d-ring on my waist just in case others in my team do not have the same setup. So, I can clip a bottle on the side in a pinch. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
(Offline)

19th June 2006, 19:30	#7 (permalink)
dive2dive2000 PRISM DIVER & LUVIN IT! Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 775	Re: Sidemounting with Aluminum Tanks Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami) Well, this is why I said that I might be missing something. So, please explain to me how one reaches back and removes a tank with a deployed regulator from the bungees, and how long this takes. What do you do if your buddy does not use sidemounts, and you have to trade bottles back and forth? I have put a d-ring on my waist just in case others in my team do not have the same setup. So, I can clip a bottle on the side in a pinch. I sent you a pm __________________ Safe Diving, Martin "but what's the fun of getting what you need, instead of what you want?"
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19th June 2006, 21:55	#8 (permalink)
Curt Bowen RebreatherWorld Sponsor Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: USA, Florida Posts: 244	Re: Sidemounting with Aluminum Tanks Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami) Well, this is why I said that I might be missing something. So, please explain to me how one reaches back and removes a tank with a deployed regulator from the bungees, and how long this takes. What do you do if your buddy does not use sidemounts, and you have to trade bottles back and forth? I have put a d-ring on my waist just in case others in my team do not have the same setup. So, I can clip a bottle on the side in a pinch. Sounds like you need to come to N florida, or I come to Miami and give you some in water, sidemount pointers. Clipping your stages to your chest D-rings completely defeats the reason to sidemount. I am planning on coming over to the east coast next month for some wreck dives and photography for some editorial for issue 24. Feel free to join the group if you wish. Dont know the dates or costs yet??? Curt Bowen
(Offline)

19th June 2006, 22:17	#9 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 1,890	Re: Sidemounting with Aluminum Tanks Quote: (Originally Posted by Curt Bowen) Sounds like you need to come to N florida, or I come to Miami and give you some in water, sidemount pointers. Clipping your stages to your chest D-rings completely defeats the reason to sidemount. I am planning on coming over to the east coast next month for some wreck dives and photography for some editorial for issue 24. Feel free to join the group if you wish. Dont know the dates or costs yet??? Curt Bowen Sounds like a plan. Just let me know when you are headed to the east side. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
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19th June 2006, 22:54	#10 (permalink)
UWSojourner Pacific Northwest Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 556	Re: Sidemounting with Aluminum Tanks Quote: (Originally Posted by Curt Bowen) Sounds like you need to come to N florida, or I come to Miami and give you some in water, sidemount pointers. Clipping your stages to your chest D-rings completely defeats the reason to sidemount. Hey Curt, I tried the sidemount system for the first time last week. I probably have some adjustments to make (cam band lower I think), but any general info you have might be nice for the rest of us also. I couldn't get everything setup by myself, especially getting the bungee looped around the tank ... couldn't get hold of the bungee. Kevin
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