WHAT SYSTEM IS BETTER
THE HEATED DEBATE ON SIDEMOUNT VS BACKMOUNT DOUBLES
Before going into this never-ending debate, let’s be as neutral as we can on this topic. But before going into this topic, let us give you an analogy.
A person can get a pair of gym shoes and choose to go running with them, use it for gym workouts, use them for dancing, or just a dress shoe. Is there anything wrong with that? While most people think that it is pretty alright, the truth is, there are sports shoes designed for specific tasks. For instance, a pair of running shoes will be designed to give extra support to prevent damages on shin caused by impacts, gym shoes will be designed with more anti-slip and grip in mind, a dress sports shoes will be designed from an aesthetic rather than a functional point of view etc.
In terms of diving, in the 1990s, when Tec wings were first introduced in Singapore’s diving community, many scuba divers opted for tec wings rather than single wings because they felt that it is a 2 in 1 system. Better to get a bigger wing just in case if they ever wanted to do tec diving. This was a grieve mistake as tec wings, even though it can be adapted for single tank diving, there is too much drag and flaps underwater, causing the diver to lose the ability to streamline themselves and achieve efficient trim.
Like any other sports equipment, each piece of diving equipment is designed for specific use. While there are hybrid systems that are designed for multiple uses, hybrid designs will have their flaws compared to specific designed diving equipment.
ask yourself this question
Why do you want to dive with two tanks or more? Knowing the reason and your goals of wanting to dive with two tanks and more will set the path of training, equipment ownership and ultimately achieve your goals. Below are some of the usual replies we have gathered over the years. Some of them were meant to be funny though.
I have back pain but I will like to dive longer
If you have back pain, and your objective is just to dive longer, sidemount diving might be an answer to you.
I consume my air really fast and i want to dive with more tanks
If this is your reason, we would suggest that your work on your trim, get better equipment, improve your finning techniques and work on your breathing first. Diving with more than one tank to increase your dive time is not an immediate solution. Go to the root of the problem and find an appropriate solution. Is it your physique and stamina that is causing it, or is it the way you fin and move your hands, your inability to keep calm, badly serviced regulator, keep using rental equipment etc.. …?
I want to explore deep wrecks and caves
If these are the reasons, we would suggest getting a proper dive education in backmount doubles first. Diving with backmount with redundancy is needed in such diving conditions and it is honestly easier to handle multiple cylinders in a backmount, especially true for slim people.
Sidemount Tec diving is an option, but it has more restrictions and the ease of using it is not as straightforward as a backmount doubles diving system.
I think both sidemount and doubles divers looks damn cool and I want to join the club
Sure, select either one. But make sure you have no less than SGD$ 30,000 to spend for this look cool factor.
P/S : We know of very good photographers that can photoshop you in tec or sidemount gear. It is probably cheaper.
So which is truly better
There isn’t an answer to that. Both of the systems were designed for specific tasks. It really depends on your goals and final objectives. As a prudent diver, I think being trained in both systems and diving regularly in them, will prepare you for more variation of diving. Both sidemount and doubles require you to develop auto Muscle memory reflexes, so you will be needing a lot of money and time to devote yourself to it.
Oh, did we also mention that you need to be physically in healthy shape as well?
Let’s compare both systems in slightly more detail.
| Sidemount | Doubles | |
| Scuba Cylinders | You can find two single tanks to dive sidemount anywhere in the world. | Doubles with manifolds are not as readily available worldwide. |
| Redundancy | If there is one regulator or valve failure, you lose one tank. There is one sidemount unit to address this but we have very little experience in it. | There is the ability to isolate in the event of a valve or regulator failure, giving you access still to 2 tanks |
| Ease of using more than 2 tanks | Requires more muscle memory and coordination. | Significantly easier compared to sidemount. |
| Number of regulators | 2 x first stages 2 x second stages 2 x gauges Inflator hoses |
2 x first stages 2 x second stages 1 x gauges Inflator hoses |
| BCD | Dedicated sidemount BC systems | Dedicated 40lbs wing. The backplate is identical to your single tank |
Final Verdict
Decide on your goals, financial and time commitment. Once you have decided, it would be easier to decide which is a better system.
