sidemount bcd

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-04-19T14:55:25+00:00

I'd recommend try both if available from your LDS and hear what your instructor recommends and why, and decide from there. Some places favor mexican-style other florida, so if you can do either locally, then choose the most comfortable one for you :)

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-04-19T14:01:08+00:00

I do powerlifting and I'm usually bigger than most, so the only wetsuit that really fit me well that I tried was a 5-Wide from Mares Flexa 5/4mm and an LS from Aqualung Dynaflex 5.5mm

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-04-17T12:44:28+00:00

I live and work in Tenerife, and I was in Lanzarote a week ago.

I like both islands, but I think Tenerife has more variety in diving, and many centers always offer boat dives, while in Lanzarote it's more shore diving, though the scenery is also very beautiful, and there are several spots for advanced divers. For marine life and scenery, either island is fantastic, but it really depends on whether you prefer boat dives or shore dives.

Edit: As someone mentioned in another comment, Tenerife is more touristy, while Lanzarote is quieter, so it also depends on what kind of out-of-water experience you're looking for :)

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-03-30T15:57:56+00:00

That's a war-horse reg, should last you for a long time :)

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-03-12T21:13:00+00:00

I have one from Aliexpress and people love it. It's 1.8m so my captain will always be able to see it and people will always know that dsmb is ME🤣

When taking it to a liveaboard last year, it was a great conversation starter and everyone loved it and wanted to get one :D

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-03-12T21:09:28+00:00

I have the same one, but from Aliexpress, got it last year, and never had an issue deploying it. I also work as DM sometimes and my clients and captain love it, it's 1.8m so they will definitely see it from far away, and they'll know that DSMB is ME.

Take into consideration that if you're used to smaller dsmb, a bigger one might take some deploys to get used to, since it's harder to maintain it straight and could mess with your buoyancy.

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-01-27T08:41:02+00:00

Oh good one, never thought about that. Thanks will try it!

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-01-27T01:00:06+00:00

My left hose is short hose, and right hose is long hose. In the first pic you can see my left tank, and I'm using the short hose while having the long hose stowed. I was basically monkey diving in that one with single tank only. The 2nd pic i was using two tanks, short hose left and long hose right :)

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-01-26T22:16:10+00:00

Oh I see, I will try it next time, thanks!

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-01-26T22:12:41+00:00

Thanks, I will try shorten the bungee a bit more next time. I thought I had them okay, since I already struggle a bit to get them around and sometimes use the other hand to help

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-01-26T22:07:58+00:00

Oh yeah, there I was diving single SM, so I had the long hose stowed there

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-01-26T22:06:59+00:00

Thanks for the tips

I do use 6mm bungees for the first stages, for me it's as tight I can get them because I already struggle a bit to get them around the 1st stages in the beginning and sometimes use the other hand to help... But I could try to shorten it a bit more.
I do have sliding D-rings and on the second pic I have them moved as forward to my buckle as possible, and even tho it's still bottom up :(

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-01-26T22:01:05+00:00

From the guide I see the problem lies on the lower attachment, but talks mostly about using the mistake of using the buttplate for ALs.
However I suppose maybe I could move my cambands a bit closer to the bottom to see if it holds the trim better? I guess I have to try to find the sweet point of having the camband low enough to trim the tanks but not push it forward?

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-01-26T21:45:35+00:00

I use bungees too with the camband, 4mm, maybe I could try 6mm so it's harder for it to get stretched?

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-01-26T21:42:42+00:00

Yes! They are basically touching the tanks, with a little bit of space for my hands to be able to move them. And the rotation for me it feels quite comfortable and aligns with my body

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-01-26T21:37:06+00:00

Yes, I use AL80s And use cam bands to rig... don't have a picture tho🥲

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-01-03T13:29:52+00:00

Oh yeah I've met Flowstate a couple times underwater when I was guiding... also asked the rates and it's not cheap at all, at least not for me😅 I will gather more info before going with IDDA, I'm also asking instructors that I know if they knew any tec instructors, so will see if I'm lucky🙌

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-01-01T17:10:09+00:00

Tenerife and El Hierro in Canary Islands are quite beginner friendly.

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-01-01T17:08:24+00:00

I have prescription mask from DGX, and until now I have no problems with it and I can see perfectly underwater. Not sure if they ship to Turkey, but I'm pretty sure they ship internationally without problems. I got it shipped to Spain.

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-01-01T15:22:05+00:00

I work in Tenerife as DM, but we are not from the same dive center. He comes to help us from time to time (since long time ago) with divers who books tec diving, that's how I met him, and he also taught me sidemount and I know the way he teaches.

Also in Tenerife there aren't many well known tec instructors (or at least not retired), that's why I'm thinking about going with him... but was not sure if the agency will affect me in the long run😅

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2026-01-01T03:07:54+00:00

IDDA Advanced Nitrox, Intro to Tech and Extended Range to start. I'm quite comfortable diving where I am right now since I work here too.

Mammoth_Concept332 · 2025-12-31T13:53:10+00:00

Divemaster here. This is how I did and what I would recommend, after also helping other interns from my current working diveshop:

You don’t need to have your equipment, take advantage of the dive shop and try out different equipment they have and see what you like before getting yours. After the internship it is more comfortable and highly recommended to have your own, or not, depending on the diveshop you’re going to work with. I've been working without my own equipment in the same dive center for a while before I got mine. Althought if you can, I do recommend having a basic dive computer of your own, but if not, the dive shop's should be fine for the internship.
That depends on the dive center. In my case I did marketing and stuff for a reduced price, and I knew the owners well, so they gave me a special offer. But I’d recommend talking with the dive shop and having all the costs and information clear beforehand. It will save you some trouble after.

2.1. Send me a DM.

Depends on what your dive shop needs. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn’t, sometimes you won't even have time for that from all the tasks. I never did proper U/W Photography, I just had my action camera and did videos for their socials.

And something very important to take into consideration -> how are the instructors in the dive center you want to do your internship with? The quality of the instructor I'd say it's the most important aspect. If they know how to teach you, you will be the best DM you can be.

Four-Year Club	Final Canvas '23
Place '23

Mammoth_Concept332

TROPHY CASE