Sidemount Cylinder Rigging: What Matters Most
Proper sidemount rigging determines trim, valve access, and long-term comfort in the water. Small details in attachment points and line length dramatically change how cylinders are positioned during the dive.
Why Cylinder Placement Matter
Common Rigging Mistakes
What Most Divers Get Wrong
Why Cylinder Placement Matters
Scuba cylinders, especially steel cylinders, account for most of the concentrated negative buoyancy on a diver. If the cylinders are streamlined and adjusted so they are in line with your body, then you will be streamlined. If the cylinders are set up so that the bottoms are pulled up high, your legs will be positioned in a lower position than your head. Get the cylinders in proper position and you will be in proper position without struggling to maintain it.
Common Rigging Mistakes
The most common rigging mistake is the position of the cam bands/worm gear clamps.
The second most common rigging mistake is the length of the static cord holding the clips to the cam bands/worm gear clamps.
Finally, the length of the bungees and how they are wrapped around the valves is also a very common mistake. The valves must be tucked into the armpits, and they shouldn’t be easily rotated.
Get those right, and the rest fall into place.
What Most Divers Get Wrong
Even if the bands/clamps are positioned correctly and the static cord is an appropriate length, most divers don’t adjust the bungees properly. While they may appear to work at the beginning of the dive, by the end of the dive, the positioning is sub-optimal.
Learn the Complete Sidemount Configuration System
The full sidemount rigging process, including diagrams and configuration walk-throughs, is covered in the Sidemount Diving Guide.
These concepts are discussed in greater detail in The Sidemount Diving Guide.
Related Articles
How to Choose Sidemount Cylinders
How to Properly Manage Gas in Your Cylinders
How to Choose Proper Hose Lengths
Sidemount Stage Rigging for Cave Diving
How to Rig Top Mounted Stage Cylinders
Common Modifications of the Dive Rite Nomad
Return to The Complete Guide to Sidemount Diving Configuration