critique my config please

[Neil]

After sidemount for 2 months I finally got to see what it looks like. I think the tanks are too low in the front... can anyone help me out with improving this? It doesn't quite look how I imagined:

http://thescubaforum.com/photoplog/index.php?n=30

[Tom Falardeau]

Are you using the bungees? And if so, are you putting them around the tank neck or just around the valve knob? Putting the bungees around the valve knob will pull the tanks in tighter, for obvious reasons.

[Neil]

Are you using the bungees? And if so, are you putting them around the tank neck or just around the valve knob? Putting the bungees around the valve knob will pull the tanks in tighter, for obvious reasons.

I'm using the bungees and they're around the tank neck (and the valve knob too of course). I route the bungee clip around the outside of the tank and under the handle and hoses.

Maybe I've stretched the bungee, or need a shorter bungee. Or maybe slide the shoulder d-ring further up?

[Tom Falardeau]

what you need to do is hook the bungee around the knob only.... lemme see if I can explain this coherently..... your bungee is clipped off to a chest d-ring forming a loop; you clip off the bottom of the tank to the rail on your butt; then you pick up the top of the tank with the opposite hand and hook the bungee around the knob with the other hand. The bungee does not go around the tank neck, does not go around the reg - just around the knob. That'll pull it in closer.

[marc g]

Neil,

You need to move the tanks closer to your armpits there too far away from you. The CAM bands need to move down about 3 inches to the bottom of the tank. If your not anything Wednesday day or evening I would be more than happy to dive with you at the quarry.

[Neil]

Neil,

You need to move the tanks closer to your armpits there too far away from you. The CAM bands need to move down about 3 inches to the bottom of the tank. If your not anything Wednesday day or evening I would be more than happy to dive with you at the quarry.

That would be great. I can be there any time after 6pm on Wednesday.

[JimC]

Are you sure those are sidemount tanks and no man-boobs?

[marc g]

I'll meet you at the quarry for 6 pm.

[Neil]

man-boobs

Thanks guys, I got it all sorted out now.

[JimC]

Well, if you REALY want a critique... :)

First you need to be flat in the water, not ~15 deg inclined. Then, after you get you tanks sucked into your armpits, the tanks and you are flat and level in the water. This isn't backmount where you arch your back around you tanks so you can body english out some sort of convoluted trim.. this is sidemount. You're entire body should be flat like a board from head to fin tips when youre in a hover. The tanks shoudl sit on ether side, dead horizontal and inline with your body. Hanging nether below or riding above or on an angle.