Single tank sidemount diving - The perfect travel scuba gear

[@AzulUnlimited]

Share your favorite single tank sidemount tips here! Join the community: www.patreon.com/azulunlimited Dive with me: azulunlimited.com/upcoming-diving-expeditions/

[@zyan]

I have been diving with single tank using razor in tropical water region since 2019. I also changed the fixed D ring on my razor to sliding D ring when I saw it on my buddy’s Xdeep stealth and I really love it very much. As for the tank band, I using the one belt type but with hook type quick release buckle rather than the Velcro type. I also have added a triglide with teeth to the belt and secure the bolt snap by sandwiching the paracord of the bolt snap between the triglide and belt. I do it the way to keep the buckle away from my D ring and harness. It is much easier to change the tank or make adjustments in water. Otherwise, the regulator setup is pretty much the same.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Nice. Great tip for the bolt snap 🙏

[@garyliebmann]

I am a new side mount diver and use loop bungees around the modular valve stem. I would love a video explaining how I can modify my gear to compensate for rental tanks without the modular stems as well as both hand wheels on the same side. Great videos! Keep’em coming !

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thanks so much. Honestly, there’s nothing special about what I do for that. I just put the bungee around the short stem on the left tank and the valve on the right tank. It’s not ideal, but for basic recreational diving, it works.

[@morganames8142]

Recommendation: For hose retainer bands, go to a bicycle shop and get (FREE!!!) used tire inner tubes. With scissors, cut out the inflation valve (so you have a long, linear tube. Then, you can cut the tube lengthwise (usually you'll get four long bands - - PLENTY for sidemount diving!!!!). Cut the long flat lengths into shorter sections (appropriate to your cylinder circumference(s) and tie a square ("reef") knot "[left over right, then right over left"] with enough of a tail for you to be able to grab and pull away from your cylinder for hose "housekeeping". These bands will NOT roll and they're EASY to use with our without gloves!!... And did you catch that (since bike shops discard them since they likely have a perforation and don't hold air anymore) ... THEY'RE FREE!!!!!!!!!!

[@AzulUnlimited]

I love this tip. I’ve used those in the past but went to bungee cuz it was the only thing available when mine broke. Thank you for sharing!! We love a good recycling moment 🫶👏

[@jabberwolf7348]

Ive done it and surprisingly it was easy except for maybe the last 10 minutes for stops. Benefit of 2, they usually arent even close to empty, and are less floaty. Also I have my camera rig with me on the other side :D Bungees are great, easy, and you can make them onboard... BUT yeah they are squirrely when you're prepping the tank to hand over to the boat.

[@AzulUnlimited]

All great points 🙏 thanks for watching

[@jrsob3026]

Try adding a tri-glide on the tank band to keep the paracord/boltsnap together, that way you wont lose it when changing from tank to tank, it also makes it easier when setting distance from valve to band. I also ad a loop of paracord around the neck holding it together with a doubleender to use it to clip off the tank to the front of myself when getting in and out but that's just me.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Great tips. Thank you🙏

[@stevemichel801]

I start my side-mount quarry training this weekend. Learning the ring bungee system. Cant wait!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Amazing! Have so much fun💪

[@huertix4393]

This is a must to seeVideo.. Muchas gracias Azul. 😍

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thank you!

[@MikeDodds]

I just completed my Sidemount certification and I LOVE it. In the pool part of the class I was diving two HP steel 100s while wearing a 3mm wetsuit!!! Talk about overweighted!!! Holy crap!!! I made it work but my buoyancy control was on a razor’s edge. During the open water dives I was wearing a 5mm and that was better. I have a crushed cell neoprene drysuit and I’m thinking that the two HP steel 100s will rock with that setup. I’m considering getting a couple of LP steel 60’s…

[@muellermay]

I dive 2 10L (around 60cf) old Faber Tanks with 200bar with my drysuit, they are much lighter and nearly neutral when under 100bar. Also they dont bump your tights when frogkicking. Need a bit more weight than with standard tanks though.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Lp 50/60s are great for that. I would go that way if I didn’t have limited space in the van

[@SNIFFtheBOX]

hello azul. i just did the side mount course i finished it this weekend.my opinion is that it was nice. for safety and for streamline .how ever the gear set up i felt it very complicated and stressful ..how you have to pass the bungee from under the valve and over to the other side. while its very hard. when in a Sigle tank just setup quick and dive with no hassle ...now this can of course be a skill issue where i just need more practice and hopefully i will get the hang of it... my instructor said i did very good because i managed to get control of all the tanks (2 + stage) underwater.....also my dry suit got flooded then i felt a lot of cold and i just lost all concentration on skills practice. Well overall i had a bad experience because its stressful. maybe someday i will change my mind and try again.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Sorry you had that experience but you’re right. It just takes time and practice to make it feel easy. If possible, I would give it another go before the skills feel rusty💙

[@ryanroach9848]

I use the cambands for sidemount and love the ease of changing from tank to tank. Also yes the 9-10lbs on the right side for steel 100 HP tanks is rough to put it politely but I’ve gotten use to it for what it is. Thanks for your videos. Always informative and gives new ideas to my setups👍

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thanks for the info and thank you for watching!

[@martinmason3020]

So much good stuff in this video! I love diving single tank sidemount with an AL80 (monkey style) super minimalist. I do oral inflate in cold water, but am going back and forth on how to route a drysuit hose. I think a cuff dump solves some of the problems with dumping the drysuit. I will try the idea of routing the long hose to a fixed port. I bring two hose clamps and use a tiny screw driver to put them on the tanks. It is a hassle, but prefer how small the are (and they fit in the reg bag nicely) I made some mods to the NEX plates(Cut some new Al plates) to cut weight out of the harness and improve routing. I replaced the belt with a revision from SumpUK that integrates a crotch strap buckle and attachment points for the wing bungees. I run the same NEX wing(thanks Jared) and love that it all packs down to under 2 pounds. I also love that the back length is adjustable (I have a long torso) Question: Fill stations along Baja? Ricardo was still there in Bahia de Los Angeles last year. There was a compressor in Mulege in 2018, but I don't know if they are still there. I heard that Blue Nation was up for sale in Loreto. What other places for fills on the sea of cortez side north of La Paz? Cheers!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Ricardo is still in Bahia de Los Angeles and there are a couple of dive shops in Loreto. Otherwise, you can get fills in La Paz, Cabo San Lucas, and San Jose del Cabo.

[@theck672]

Hi Sarah❣️ Hi Abby ❣️

[@Mrveescuba]

Spot on the hall video ..this is exactly almost what i teach to the sm course...jealus for the miflex hose with black metal parts..

[@AzulUnlimited]

They’re very pretty. Nex set me up proper🥰

[@peacebypiece9012]

How do you deal with most travel locale rental tanks being setup for yoke first stages instead of DIN.

[@AzulUnlimited]

I let them know beforehand and sometimes they can accommodate. Otherwise I just take an adapter. It’s not recommended to use them for technical dives but I don’t have an issue using them for simple open water dives

[@Raphael_NYC]

Thank you.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thank YOU for watching. I appreciate it🙏

[@godfoca]

You can also just bring two clamps, set up two tanks, and take them one on each dive (since you'll usually be doing two dives per day, so you don't have to be fiddling with tools on the boat if you're going single tank SM). Also: nut driver >>> screwdriver for adjusting clamps. It's so much faster and easier. Best investment into my traveling toolbox I've made in a long time :)

[@AzulUnlimited]

Great tip. Nut driver is definitely the way to go. I still don’t have one 😆😆😆

[@dr4gvt]

The video is beautiful! congratulations, but I have a small question for you Azul: regardless of how long the hose is, isn't there a risk of choking a bit when it's positioned like that? you can show how you do? thanks

[@AzulUnlimited]

Nope. No choking around these parts👌

[@craigstjohn4470]

& where do you go to,wash your suit /+ you to, Rinse off the, ocean water, after the dive??!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Sometimes there are shower and rinse facilities. If not, I carry water with me.

[@SeattleRingHunter]

Yes the addition of the wireless mic is a sweet and ups your game! The lave mic under the collar of the shirt and tucked away is also a major setp up. Having been a sound-man in previous chapters of my life I never cared for the in your face DJI clip on mic look but that just me. At least we can clearly hear your content and I think if you track your analytics you may see an uptick of viewing hours. All though your content is always engaging and the audio was good in the past now its great! Congrats. I considered running a wireless mic but its hard when your a one may show with a GoPro on a baseball cap and interviewing the people I help on the side of the road with the camera at arms length blog style LOL. Lighting at night and sound are two key elements I can use to up my video productions. It's always a work in progress. Underwater action camera Paralenz was a favorite for its time but they are no longer a company. I still have one limping along but will have to convert to another option in the near future for underwater hands free dive recording. Clipped to my mask it get enough footage to tell a story mot of the time, not the best quality but good enough.

[@AzulUnlimited]

It really is the little details that can make all the difference. Thanks for the other tips! It's hard to beat the GoPro for a handsfree underwater camera. The Paralenz was great. It really is too bad they are no more. Thanks for watching!

[@scubadiverhaley]

Thank you for this video ❤

[@AzulUnlimited]

You’re very welcome!

[@jmrm67]

You are so natural 🥰, Great...we appreciate the spanish videos. Regards from Barcelona

[@AzulUnlimited]

Amazing! Super glad to hear it🙏

[@timgosling6189]

I haven't done it myself but I think I would only ever do single sidemount with an aluminum tank, for exactly the reason you state. And the bungie for hose retainers does work fine. Even in thick gloves it's easy to find the knot and easy to pull it up and slide the hose under; that's all you need.

[@AzulUnlimited]

I definitely think it’s the most comfortable option 🙏 thanks for watching!

[@pimkevnkids]

great intro to sidemount, been curious so thanks! try the Novus scratch remover on your SPG lens, I use it on my dome ports. It will be crystal clear in about 10 minutes.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Good to know! I’ll check it out

[@nfthach]

I’m not that far into my diving journey, side mount seems complicated when I’m running through the gear config in my head - I can see the use cases for it like in caves and cenotes.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Different configurations are useful for different scenarios. As you progress, you will decide what is best for you. And that can and may change over time. Thanks for watching!

[@leOon47]

Hi ! How do you manage weight distribution when you dive SM with 1 tank ? Consuming air will empty the tank more and more making it lighter, so you need to get some weight back on your tank side, no? (Not talking about the weigh you put on the other side of the harness to counterbalance the weight of the tank) Thanks !

[@AzulUnlimited]

Honestly, I balance the weight of the tank and then add it empties I just use a little sculling with my fin to keep me steady. On normal recreational dives I don’t tend to get too low on air so it’s not a drastic difference

[@leOon47]

@@AzulUnlimited what do you mean by "add it empties" and "little sculling" please ?

[@AegeanEpiphany]

Tried browsing NEX online but there's no info - just a logo. Are they related to TUSA/TABATA (Japan). Are they made in the USA?

[@AzulUnlimited]

Interesting. Maybe their website is under construction. They are made in the USA. Monterey, CA specifically.

[@hershshah9215]

“I’ve got a lot of hose” 😂😂 Mr Hadfield is an amazing instructor too! Would love to see a collab about your experience!

[@AzulUnlimited]

I have a video with him in Yellowstone and he interviewed me on his FB community.

[@pinaise88]

Do you compensate in any way for the fact that an aluminium 80 goes from negative to neutral to positive depending on how full it is? As I understand you add a few pounds of weight on the other side. But during the dive it will probably change quite a bit. Does it affect your balance a lot?

[@AzulUnlimited]

Yes, it does change, but it doesn't bother me much. I currently wear 2 pounds on the right and deal with the emptying tank by occasionally skulling with my fin toward the end of the dive. I'm betting there could be a simple solution with moveable weights. I'll look into it :)

[@Scheistermeister]

I single tank sidemount all the time. Mine is kind of a DIY razor setup with plates and wing from Ali-express. I don't do any spare weights on the side though. Usually only need half a kilo on the spine, then dive an al80. Moving the tank around on the sliding d-ring with small amount of air in the wing balances. I don't use a SPG, just a single pod for a teric (I bring a spare battery and a spare pod on trips). I also use the single bungie, but don't loop across, I attach it to the bottom of the first stage instead of the nub on tanks. If they don't have DIN valves (or just refuse to remove the insert like the terrible Aggressor fleet) You can still loop to the bottom of the first stage with a yoke adaptor. I commonly use my right sliding d-ring to clip off fins while walking or camera when I don't feel the need to use it.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thanks for sharing and watching!

[@scottclose6206]

Get the 11/2" cam band, I think dive rite has them less bulky

[@AzulUnlimited]

Good to know. I was in a time crunch and just went with the Amazon buy.

[@saublesurfer8197]

Curious but not changing from back mount, my BC was $700 Canadian. Which is more streamlined in current? Back or side mount? What happens with a single side mount scenario if you lose or have to dump your weight? With my back tank I can use ankle weights or a tank weight besides belt or pocket weights. Does being unique with a single side tank as complicated as reinventing the wheel? It confuses me and in a rescue scenario could I react to a side mounted diver in distress quickly enough? Not expecting a reply but I'm an older diver somewhat confused. I get people like to be unique and try new things like bungee jumping for instance. Fun to watch but not going there myself.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Fair enough! There are tools for all kinds of diving. This is the tool I choose😁 stay safe out there

[@TheRedbaron11]

This video is at such a great time for me. I have been thinking of going into sidemount and using that as the only way I dive. Looking at this it definitely seems possible. Can you, Sarah, or anyone else, go into the disadvantages of what I am thinking of?

[@AzulUnlimited]

I think the main disadvantage is if you have to wear the tank on the boat before jumping in the water, it’s off balance so you have to be careful about falling. Other than that, I love it.

[@TheRedbaron11]

@@AzulUnlimited Thank you. You're awesome

[@cameronleong]

Hi Sarah, I have a question for you: you explained the weight compensation when you dive single tank, how do you deal with the situation at the end of the dive when your aluminum tank is empty and started to ‘float’ - your right side will become more heavy with the weight block, right? Well, I am struggling with it right now, and am thinking a way to move weights from right to left. Your advice is much appreciated. Thank you.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Yes, it does change. I currently wear 2 pounds on the right and just deal with it by occasionally skulling with my fin toward the end of the dive, but I'm betting there could be a simple solution with moveable weights. I'll look into it :)

[@cameronleong]

@@AzulUnlimited Hi Sarah, thank you for your reply, look forward hearing from you soon. Cheers!

[@saublesurfer8197]

@@AzulUnlimited 'I'm thinking if you had one of those old fashioned uncomfortable waist belts with 3 or4 1lb weights that slide easily on those belts, put 2 lbs on the right side, 1 lb in the middle and 1 lb on the left. as your tank becomes buoyant slide the center weight to the right and secure with an elastic to a weight there and slide the one on the left to center. Does that sound right? Have the belt release to the side or back.

[@harambeexpress]

That Nex BCD looks a lot like the Yushin/SUMP UK design.

[@martinmason3020]

It is the same. Jared has a partnership with bruce and imports them. I know he has special coatings on the regs. The NEX version is laser marked differently.

[@harambeexpress]

@@martinmason3020 Ah cool, thanks for clarifying. It wasn't a criticism by that way. From what I've seen I'd happily use Nex gear if it had an Australian distributor/servicing.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Martin already covered it 🙏 great partnership on a cool design

[@Teampegleg]

The biggest issue with having the long hose on a fixed port but not the turret is that with flex hoses if they pull hard enough to kink it, it can cut off the slow of gas. Just an issue that you need to be aware of using an air share.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Very true. I never actually flake out the full length of the hose when sharing in open water, but very good point 🙏

[@AlexArrigoni71]

Nice regulators :)

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thanks, I love them. I got to custom design and build them with NEX.

[@craigstjohn4470]

NO one is to dive / swim alone!!!!/. NO matter how good you are!!!!/. specially with the RIGHT , SPOUSE!! ✝️👑🙏😇💒

[@AzulUnlimited]

Well, until then...

[@saublesurfer8197]

I had a hard time following your sidemount explanations. Too bad you didn't have a blowup doll ( or do you lol) to dress in your BC with a tank for demonstration explanation instruction. Sorry but I do find part of my comment funny. (wouldn't take up much room in the van and may actually be helpful when traveling alone.

[@AzulUnlimited]

no thanks 😆 Sorry, this explanation was more geared toward people who already have experience with sidemount and would understand the verbal walk through. A class will be helpful to get your sidemount skills locked in. Thanks for watching. I appreciate you.

[@armandoarango721]

Great content, thanks. Your attitude is greatly admired. I teach the same way, whatever set up makes you comfortable & safe, and take what you like, leave what you don’t! Not everyone needs the same gear or setup. 🫡👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate that!

[@Rik-l2d]

Ummm... I was taught, by US Navy Seal Cmdr R. Pierce, that the 1st stage is where the rescue diver will grab your incapacitated body to bring you to the surface. Be safe.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thanks!