Sidemount 101 | Philosophy & Equipment

Have you ever watched really good sidemount divers underwater and wondered how they make it look so effortless?Meanwhile, your cylinders float, your trim feels unstable, hoses are everywhere, and it feels like you’re constantly fighting your equipment?In episode 120 of Speaking Sidemount, Steve Davis breaks down the complete philosophy and equipment foundation behind exceptional sidemount diving after:

• 13 years diving sidemount exclusively
• 10 years teaching sidemount professionally
• Nearly 2,000 sidemount dives
• Training with Tom Steiner, Edd Sorenson, and Patrick Widmann

Interviews with many of the world’s best sidemount divers, cave explorers, and instructors.This is not another random gear video.This episode explains WHY good sidemount works — and how the right equipment platform combined with strong diving fundamentals creates calm, efficient, streamlined diving.Steve walks through his complete modern sidemount philosophy including:✅ Why sidemount over backmount✅ The XDEEP Stealth 2.0 setup philosophy✅ Loop bungees explained✅ Sliding D-rings explained✅ Cylinder selection for different environments✅ Steel vs aluminium sidemount cylinders✅ Proper sidemount cylinder rigging✅ Valve positioning and cylinder trim✅ Rotating turret and fifth port regulators✅ Long hose vs short hose debate✅ Streamlining and hose routing✅ Building a stable sidemount platform✅ Common sidemount mistakes divers makeThis episode is Part 1 of a 2-part Sidemount 101 series. This episode will help you build a cleaner, more efficient and more enjoyable sidemount system.In Sidemount 101 Part 2, Steve will move on to putting it all in the water:📘 SIDEMOUNT FUNDAMENTALS eBOOKThe companion eBook for this episode and course manual for Steve's Sidemount Fundamentals course:https://www.sidemountpros.com/store🌍 Learn more about XDEEP:https://www.xdeep.euSidemount Pros:Website: https://www.sidemountpros.com📸 Follow Steve:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nzsteved/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nzsteved/❤️ Support the Podcast:Become a Patron of Speaking Sidemounthttps://www.patreon.com/c/speakingsidemount👍 If you enjoyed the episode:Like the videoSubscribeLeave a commentShare with your dive buddies