HOW TO SETUP YOUR SIDEMOUNT CYLINDERS | Where to place the boltsnaps on Sidemount Cylinders Tanks

[@benjaminhawkins1129]

nice work

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

Thanks mate

[@yekimphoto]

Hi Andy, it was nice meeting you and talking to you yesterday at Capernwray, I always found your videos useful and full of really good tricks and tips.

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

You too mate thanks for saying hi, new videos coming soon I hope 🤞🏼

[@paulgee8253]

Nicely and clearly shown.

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

Glad you liked it

[@Mrveescuba]

Very well xplaned mate!!

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

Thanks pal

[@dazzafett3331]

I suffer from lower back pain after needing 2 surgeries 10 years ago due to a ruptured disc. I can manage a single 15L with no issues but next year I want to progress into Tech and feel that side mount will be the way to go instead of twins.

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

I agree to some end but would argue there’s pros and cons to both mate the carrying of SM cylinders to the waters edge can be hard work depending on the ground and it can be hard to don them in a swell. Just as a heavy twinset can be hard to don without a bench to rest it on or a buddy to help. There’s balance in all walks of life, I just use it as another tool I my box of tricks!

[@dazzafett3331]

Good points. My plan would be to take both the Twinset and Sidemount training so as to see how I get on with both plus also really be able to evaluate what works best for me 👍

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

@@dazzafett3331 Good plan mate

[@Yggdrasil42]

The large Xdeep boltsnaps are also nice for this purpose. Big finger loop, large gate and trigger, yet not as heavy as these boltsnaps.

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

Agreed, they’re on my Christmas list

[@DaveDoc666]

But im never Sure which side the whole should be, cause its looped on just one side

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

I guess trial and error to work out what suits you, half the time I can’t even find the loop / tab

[@aliasincognito0]

I personally put my "waist" band around my prominent hip bone. But it varies from person to person and cylinder to cylinder.

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

I agree, everyone feels their kit is better in different places tahn others - each to their own

[@matjazrepnik]

For cave diving is important where screw is. At begining i have many times dangling in that srew (L or R), after movit it on top of cylinder, problem was solve. Never want it on dry suit side, since swim frog kick, and destry dry suiy as well on that part. ;)

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

Thanks for watching mate

[@hannahmiller2616]

Thanks for the video. Why the difference in position for the aluminium and steel cylinders?

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

Ali’s are more buoyant than steel especially when they’re empty

[@brockmorrell]

Great video Andy. The only question I have is I thought everyone in the UK was metric? Where did the imperial tape come from?? 🧐...🤣🤣

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

Hahahahah thanks Brock, weirdly, we pick and choose which denomination suits us! Our tape measures generally have imperial over metric, I choose which ever is easiest to see on the tape. However I still use miles for distance and speed in my car, meters for depth and shorter linear distance, measuring fluids is in cups of tea ;p

[@brockmorrell]

@@AndytheNorthernDiver Cups of tea, love it!

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

@@brockmorrell I thought it'd put a smile on your face mate!

[@addohm]

Most intense eyes on youtube :D

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

Hahahah really 😳

[@Jordee05]

Thanks Andy, excellent video. My steel tanks (12L Faber) hang a bit low at the rear i.e. hanging a little lower than my legs. Ideally, should the tanks be perfectly parallel and next to my legs? I think I need to make the adjustments you suggest particularly as I use steel tanks which are very heavy in the water. The tanks clip off behind my butt using the square clip on Hollis Katana 2 BCD, so I don't think there is an issue there. Also, I am unsure about having the screw mechanism of the band on the outside of the tank as you suggested, would that be a snag hazard? I face mine inwards towards my body.

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

In trim is the way to go mate yeah. I keep the adjustment screw away from my expensive drysuit and in turn stay away from snags but carry cutters for any expected snags on that dive. Thanks for watching mate glad it’s been some help.

[@h.b.1887]

Andy, nice vid. Why is the locking system on the opposite site? Why not between yourself and the tank? Especially when using xdeep tankstraps with the buggle.

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

I’m not really sure what you’re asking

[@h.b.1887]

@@AndytheNorthernDiver you are showing and telling that you put the locking bolt on the opposite site of the boltsnap. Is there a specific reason for that? I have placed my locking bolt on the side of the boltsnap so it is between me and the tank. Just to avoid tangling hazard. Would love to meet one day at the water to chat bout sidemount..

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

do you mean the fastener on the jubilee band? if so it's so that it doesnt rub a hole in my dry suit. Thanks for watching mate

[@Yggdrasil42]

@@h.b.1887 I also have it at the same side as the boltsnap and feel that works too. When the cylinder is rotated correctly by the bungee the fastener ends up in the down position, not towards me, so no damage to the drysuit.

[@DubaiDiver]

Good one any do you usually dive sidemount?

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

Pretty much exclusively yes unless I'm teaching new open water students. Positioning cylinders has been a thing I've been fighting to get 100% happy with and talked about on my podcast quite often. It's a personal thing, but this is certainly a good start point. Thanks for watching.

[@DubaiDiver]

@@AndytheNorthernDiver Think I am going to have to take the plunge and try it thanks

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

@@DubaiDiver biggest single change that I made to my diving, seek out the best instructor though mate, there’s some shocking ones out there!

[@DubaiDiver]

@@AndytheNorthernDiver I know but fortunately I know a couple of top sidemount instructors here in the UAE

[@marcell7547]

are there any differences between heavy and light faber steel cylinders?

[@AndytheNorthernDiver]

I’ve never heard there are heavy or light variants of that brand mate sorry. Although if your looking for a more balanced steel look a euro cylinder