Diving with stage bottle

I have seen many articles and talked with divers who utilize a side mount scuba tank for many applications.   Exclusively as side mounts, bail out bottle and stage bottle are some of the applications I have learned about researching this was of carrying tanks.  I have wanted to try a side mount to learn the buoyancy  and trim required.  The first challenge was rigging the tank to carry it on my harness.  I asked for some help on the google plus SCUBA board and got some great suggestions.  One site has a good pictorial on how they set up the side mounts.  There are numerous variations that I am certain all have applications.  If you can tie a knot the setup is easy.  The most challenging was finding a car inner tube to make a band, most tires are tubeless these days.

 

 

I have a set of twin 80's on my back so getting in the water with a side mount was a bit daunting for the first attempt.  I rigged a line in the water and clipped off the additional tank.  There was quite a bit of current, I was a little nervous when the tank was trailing behind the boat like a flag in the wind. 

 

It was much easier than I thought clipping the tank in place while in the water.  I found it extremely comfortable and little change in buoyancy.  I didn't really notice the 4 additional pounds a full aluminum 80 cylinder adds.

 

The dive wasn't the best, conditions were pretty lousy, lots of current and surge.   Southern California diving can be challenging even in the warm summer months.  The water is much colder than one would generally think.   I enjoyed the opportunity to try the stage bottle.  I am anxious to get some additional training and take advantage of the additional air when I return to Mexico to go cave diving again.