Here are the core principles for success in sidemount diving. The Foundation of Trim and Buoyancy
To succeed, you must treat gas switching like a religion. The gold standard is the . Every time the active regulator’s pressure drops by 200 PSI, you switch. Sidemount- Principles For Success
"Sidemount: Principles for Success" by Andy Davis is a 251-page guide focusing on the technical, philosophical, and gear-optimization shifts required for proficient sidemount diving. The resource emphasizes accessibility, streamlining, and mastering foundational skills in open water before attempting advanced environments. The ebook is available for $25, with details on Scuba Tech Philippines and the author's Buy Me a Coffee page. Here are the core principles for success in sidemount diving
: Crucial for determining where cylinders connect to your hips. Shoulder & D-ring Placement Every time the active regulator’s pressure drops by
: Because cylinders are independent, you must manage them as two separate systems. Regulator Switching
When you breathe your left tank down to 500 psi (empty), and your right tank is still full (3,000 psi), you have a massive buoyancy imbalance. The empty tank (positive) wants to float up. The full tank (negative) wants to sink. If you do nothing, you will roll violently onto your side.
The principle here is the . Your two lower buttplate clips (or hip clips) should attach to a point that allows the cylinders to lie parallel to your torso, not splayed outward like a drunken sailor.
