Sidemount

Sidemount is a scuba diving equipment configuration which has scuba sets mounted alongside the diver, below the shoulders and along the hips, instead of on the back of the diver.

It originated as a configuration for advanced cave diving, as it facilitates penetration of tight sections of cave, allows easy access to cylinder valves, provides easy and reliable gas redundancy, and tanks can be easily removed when necessary.

Benefits associated with sidemount configurations.

The first and foremost of these benefits is that the weight of scuba cylinders can be removed from the back. Cylinders can be carried to the water, attached in the water, and later removed prior to exiting the water.

Second, a sidemount configuration creates a redundant air source. Two separate cylinders with different regulator systems ensure a redundant air source is available in the case of a major emergency. Dual cylinders also allow for the possibility of carrying a larger gas supply on regular dives.

Combined, these factors may allow a diver to extend dive times in a safe fashion within no decompression limits.