Don’t make the same mistakes I did 😳 Sidemount diving with a dry suit

If you watched my DIVE DRY ROAD TRIP, you saw me struggle with becoming a cold water diver. Now I’m sharing tips to make the transition easy for you.
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0:00 Intro
0:25 Expeditions
0:49 Equipment
3:07 Configuration
4:22 Undergarments
5:11 Tanks
7:39 Sidemount specialty
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[@markusknorr6497]

I dive 12 Liter Steel 220 bar tanks which are 13.3 kg each empty. I use a movable D-Ring for them as they get a bit floaty at the rear when below 100 bar, so it is easy to trim them. The steel tank is lighter outside the water than the aluminum tanks and it gets less buoyant when empty, more balanced system with a dry suit. And you need less lead in your wing!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thanks for watching the video and sharing🙏

[@Yggdrasil42]

Great info! I love sidemounting, even the sometimes nitpicking side of it. 😉 I use my sliding d-rings instead of the butt d-rings for my steel tanks. My butt d-rings are used for the pouch and temp storage of the Gopro. I also use it to clip stage tanks so they pull up and stabilize against the sidemount tanks which are trimmed forward. The Steve Martin way. They basically pull against each other which removes any jangle or clanging.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Awesome! Thanks for this🤙🙏

[@timgosling6189]

Right on!

[@TheMarcoflint]

The in-water balance of LP50 is fairly similar to LP85. So if you like the 50s you will most likely love the 85s. And in that case you won't have problem with doing single tank dives ;) Though steel tank (being negative) are not ideal for single sidemounted (imbalance) In general LP tanks have much better buoyancy characteristics than HP tanks especially as doubles (twinset or sidemount).

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thank you for this! Yeah single tank with steel tanks is a beast 🥵

[@timgosling6189]

I started with steels and drysuit so it was fun to try aluminum and wetsuit when we visited the Zenobia wreck last month. But I found the only change I needed to the harness was to tighten the belt, which just sat half an inch or so lower on my hips. And that was a small thing when I was moving weight around anyway to cater for the different buoyancy distribution of the wetsuit. I've also found personally that my steel tanks sit better if I use belt D-rings rather than the square butt rings. Steels can also get a bit floaty at the back as they empty and that gives me the ability to trim them out. And I'm not then going to unclip a tank when I'm going for the pouch!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Great points!

[@theMEGAadventurer]

Great video and information!!!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thanks!🙏

[@RealJonnyDiver]

Great advice, thanks

[@AzulUnlimited]

You’re very welcome!

[@billendres3115]

Very informative, I dive sidemount wet now but do have my beloved DUI and have been pondering going back to dry as my dives get longer. Gracias for the video 😊

[@AzulUnlimited]

You’re very welcome!

[@mikejerney2055]

I use steel lp85s for everything, single tank back mount, side mount and doubles. Best all around tank and good size.

[@AzulUnlimited]

That’s what I keep hearing! I’ll have to give them a try

[@mikejerney2055]

@AzulUnlimited if i dive wet i use no weight or a little of with new students, with dry I'm diving about 14 lbs. I'm 6'1 so idk if that helps you. Sidemount there is much easier management throughout the dive, they don't get floaty much and there is less adjusting during the dive, its easy to offset if diving a single and I'm not so overweight if i need to hand off 1 for some reason.

[@willsmooth45]

Ugh I love my 4th element arctic undergarments and venture heat electric vest omg so worth the money I’d suggest looking into them very budget friendly

[@AzulUnlimited]

I’ll definitely go that route before heading further north for colder diving🙏

[@mikesbigadventures194]

I dive 100s when I sidemount OC. My 50s are when I sidemount CCR with my Choptima. Great tips

[@AzulUnlimited]

Nice. The 50s are perfect for that!

[@gregolm]

More of this please!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Glad it was helpful 🤙

[@gregolm]

When I started sidemount there was tons of info on warm water sidemount with AL80's. It's nice to see someone (outside of cave divers) talking about cold water and steel tanks.

[@AzulUnlimited]

I'll make sure to share more as I learn more!@@gregolm

[@coolsamawe]

For Dry or wet....anysuit Xdeep stealth bcd is good choice. Because It is easy to adjust the spacing.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Xdeep is a solid option. Haven’t used one in years, but I know plenty of people who love theirs 🙏

[@AirwolfCrazy]

Steel 85s for Sidemount! Plenty of air and enough for reserve. However, I totally get why you are sticking to the AL. I used them when I first started SM but once I switched to the steel I was much happier.

[@AzulUnlimited]

I’ll have to find some and try them out!

[@AirwolfCrazy]

@@AzulUnlimited if you are ever in PA I can set you up.

[@AzulUnlimited]

sounds like a deal @@AirwolfCrazy

[@henrygoleau]

What is the benefit of sidemount in open water ndl diving? I can see how for tech diving with mixed gases it became a necessity because you carry so many different tanks with you, or for cave diving in confined spaces, but to dive in the ocean/sea? Personally I just don't see the appeal, it looks like a major PITA, but I also got certified a looooong time ago and I'm pretty comfortable with a single or doubles on my back so to each their own lol.

[@AzulUnlimited]

That’s the thing, it’s a tool that’s available for people who want/need it. I prefer sidemount for solo diving bc I can easily see all my gear. I like the flexibility of moving equipment around in different stages and the comfort in the water. I know a lot of people who choose it bc of back injuries. It may not be for everyone, but it’s good to have options.

[@KWV68]

Hi, i have tried side-mount. In the pool ..not my cup-of-tea..😂 lot of rope..😊 changing mouth-piece etc..but I know now ❤

[@AzulUnlimited]

Totally understand. I like to think of it as a tool that’s available for those that need/want it

[@YouTube_user3333]

Sidemount =steel 100cu/ft (12lt) every time If you find they are too heavy or big, go steel 10LT (85cu/ft) Steel 50cu/ft tanks (7lt) are too small. If you want 7lt size with more capacity, go 7lt hp’s (4500psi)

[@AzulUnlimited]

Great info. Thanks for that🤙

[@AzulUnlimited]

What did I miss? Share you tips on sidemount diving in a drysuit here 👇 XDEEP Bolt Snaps: amzn.to/45Qo511 ✅ Join the Azul scuba community: www.patreon.com/azulunlimited Dive with me in Indonesia 2024: azulunlimited.com/upcoming-diving-expeditions/

[@Alinfinito]

Jasaaaaaawsa

[@AzulUnlimited]

Que te pasaaaaaaaa

[@tanmaydeshpande7528]

Some people are of the opinion that a diver should better consider a BCD with dry suit instead of relying only on Dry suit as a main source of buoyancy control underwater so as an instructor or experienced independent diver what do you prefer and also share your viewpoint about it.

[@AzulUnlimited]

I relieve suit squeeze with the drysuit but control buoyancy with my bcd. I’ve heard arguments for both ways, but that’s the one I prefer

[@tanmaydeshpande7528]

@@AzulUnlimited Thanks Sarah....

[@RyanVintheSea]

Although far less experienced than her, I'd like to share additional food for thought in the interest of safety for you and others who read this comment: consider that BCDs have listed and tested lift capacities. For the stealth 2.0 Tec, it's 19kg of lift. You will never find a published lift capacity for a drysuit because it's not intended to be used for that purpose. The valves, seals, seams etc are not designed to contain significant volumes of air as you may have when using a drysuit as your sole buoyancy compensation system. The risk is magnified the further you are from optimal weighting. The more weight you have in your system, the more compensation will be required and the more air your drysuit would have to have in it. For single tank diving (ie rec single tank back mount), the tolerance for being overweight is more generous and for ease of learning, it appears common practice to teach students to only use their drysuit for buoyancy. Being overweighted and/or having multiple tanks (especially steel) is introducing a risk of suit failure - the one area where you have zero options for redundancy during a dive. Good luck and happy diving!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Great points. Thanks for sharing! @@RyanVintheSea

[@Mikesworld777]

You just need a sidewinder with lp 50s cave filled

[@AzulUnlimited]

Those 50s tanks are cute and so easy to maneuver. But with limited space, it's just not realistic. Thanks for the suggestion though!

[@stucorbett]

I don't have the experience to say this myself but it seems a lot of the pro undergarments need a significantly more weight than ad hoc undergarments. Also doers anyone know if there really is a reduction in bulk?

[@timgosling6189]

Yes there is. My undersuits at least are much more effective than regular warm clothes with a fraction of the bulk. So my weighting has definitely decreased. On the other hand you wouldn’t want to wear them for mountaineering or hiking 🤣

[@AzulUnlimited]

I wear mine for hikes sometimes 😆🤫 multipurpose items 😅

[@timgosling6189]

@@AzulUnlimited This gear is just too efficient. Cold diving for me is mainly just relaxing; my problem wearing it for hiking or whatever is just getting too hot!

[@AzulUnlimited]

@@timgosling6189 totally get that!

[@maltret5857]

Praise the holy taco

[@AzulUnlimited]

Blessed be 🤣

[@gbsailing9436]

Do they not sell steel 80's in the States? Australia has a number of different tank sizes. 50's, 65's (although they are posing them out), 80's, 100's, and even 120's (which are way too FAT!). I have to admit I hate diving with AL. Like you, I have over years, become used to the dynamics of diving with your system. Having to occasionally go back to AL is annoying. Also, in the back of my mind I know how soft aluminium is as a metal and I really get scared that one could rupture given surface damage or a serious blow to the side wall. It's only happened once to my knowledge where the tank compromised (out of test) in some way. The filler lost his leg. So for those reading this who have a tank out of test, don't take it to a shop and ask them to fill it. (even just one fill). It can be fatal. You may care to look into the NEW Avelo diving system which helps reduce/remove diving weights using a combination of carbon fibre tanks and a bladder inside the tank system. I'll give you the link to the video. It has some drawbacks in my mind (which I can alert/discuss later) but it will be pushed here in Australia and in Europe next year. You should find it well supported in the States '23-24. Here is the webinar for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWO5dq2YnJ1_jcU

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thank you for this! There definitely are more sizes of steel tanks here. I just don’t have personal experience with them. Great point about tank safety. Very important. I’m going to check out Avelo at DEMA! Stay tuned🤓

[@gbsailing9436]

Thanks for the prompt reply.@@AzulUnlimited

[@MrBear2002]

I dive steel 133s. Size depends on you. I’m 6’2. 240 pounds. I find zero issue with them.

[@gbsailing9436]

🤣🤣🤣 I know where you can get a 'G' size tank that might suit you. @@MrBear2002

[@muellermaxwell]

Overfill the 50s..

[@AzulUnlimited]

😂😂

[@muellermaxwell]

@@AzulUnlimited I can tell you've never been to central Florida

[@AzulUnlimited]

I have not@@muellermaxwell

[@thirstybonsai1888]

Did you break up witb your boyfriend?

[@AzulUnlimited]

I have a partner, but I haven’t shared anything about my relationship on this channel🙏

[@thirstybonsai1888]

@AzulUnlimited oh I apologise I thought the long haired other instructor was your partner

[@AzulUnlimited]

It's all good! We use to be together, but we're just good friends now :)@@thirstybonsai1888

[@leezynel7203]

Cool 👍… very informative… was hoping video would include an actual dive using the wet suit equipment you describe… For me.. spending 5-6 months teaching ⛷️ on the snow jades me to diving warm waters with 2mm wetsuits! 🤿🐠🐬🦈

[@AzulUnlimited]

Yeah, I don’t always get all the footage I need, so I make it work. I totally understand about warm water. I’m still very much a warm water diver, but I’m enjoying the cold water adventures