KAYAK DIVERS > GEAR > CYLINDERS, MOUNTS & HARNESSES

Overview: With regard to cylinders and how you mount them the key thing for kayak diving is not use anything too big or heavy, keep it light and simple. Most kayak divers use a conventional rig of either a wing or stab jacket with a single back mounted cylinder, but there are alternatives..... Back Mounting (with a wing or stab jacket): For obvious reasons most kayak divers use this conventional set up, usually with a 10L single cylinder. Consider using something smaller like a 6 or a 7, we reckon 6's and 7's are optimum. Anything bigger just gets a bit awkward and doesn't really increase depth or dive time significantly. GOOD: If you're a diver you probably have the kit for this set up already, except for maybe the smaller cylinder. BAD: Nothing really, but having the cylinder attached to the BCD means that everything is all together in one big lump which at times can make life awkward. REMEMBER: "conventional" and "best" mean different things. Back Mounting (with a back plate and ABLJ): ABLJ's (Adjustable Bouyancy Life Jackets) are old hat but they are still available and for kayak diving have some advantages over wings and stabs. They are lighter, much less bulky and work as a life jacket when paddling. Again, stick to smaller cylinders. You may well find your gas consumption is reduced with this rig due to less mass and better hydrodynamics. GOOD: Keeps weight and bulk down. BAD: Nothing, but.... REMEMBER: You'll look like you fell out of the 1970's. Maybe you did? Kitting up prior to a dive using a single back mounted 10L cylinder on a wing. Enlarge Side Mounting: An alternative to convention is to use side mounted cylinders, a method borrowed from cave diving which brings associated advantages for the kayak based diver. You have to use a special ASM (American Side Mount) harness and an ABLJ BCD for bouyancy control but this combination can make for hassle free ultra lightweight diving. [ More ] GOOD: Very easy to kit up and de-kit with better balance and hydrodynamics in the water. BAD: You probably haven't got the kit for this so it will cost you a load more money. REMEMBER: Other divers will stare at you. Twin 3L side mounts with a Buddy Arctic ABLJ. Enlarge