The Fundamentals of AK Aspect Mount
The underwater world beckons, a realm of silent magnificence and hidden wonders. For divers in search of to discover the hidden depths and push the boundaries of underwater exploration, the AK facet mount diving configuration has change into an more and more well-liked selection. Providing unparalleled versatility and effectivity, AK facet mount permits divers to entry tight areas, handle gasoline extra successfully, and streamline their profile for a extra pleasurable expertise. This complete information delves into the world of AK facet mount programs, exploring the different sorts out there and offering the data you might want to make an knowledgeable resolution.
What’s AK Aspect Mount? Merely put, AK facet mount entails mounting your cylinders on both facet of your physique, fairly than in your again. This configuration permits for elevated flexibility, improved buoyancy management, and a streamlined profile, making it superb for a variety of diving environments, from open water to difficult cave programs. This method is commonly most popular for its superior gasoline administration capabilities and the flexibility to navigate restrictive passages.
The aim of this text is to supply an in depth understanding of the varied AK facet mount system sorts, in an effort to grasp the basics and select a system that matches your diving wants.
AK facet mount programs provide divers a flexible method to underwater exploration, and understanding the different sorts out there is essential for choosing the proper setup.
Earlier than diving into the specifics of AK facet mount sorts, it’s vital to know the elemental ideas and benefits of this configuration.
The historical past of facet mount diving will be traced again to cave exploration and rescue diving. Early pioneers acknowledged the advantages of a configuration that supplied larger maneuverability in confined areas. The unique facet mount configurations developed from necessity, and over time, they’ve been refined and tailored for various diving environments. This evolution highlights the adaptability and persevering with relevance of facet mount strategies.
A typical AK facet mount system contains a number of key elements working in concord:
Cylinders: These are the tanks that maintain your respiration gasoline (normally air, nitrox, or trimix). The selection of cylinder materials (metal or aluminum) and dimension will rely upon the diving surroundings, deliberate backside time, and particular person gasoline consumption.
Harness: That is the system that secures the cylinders to your physique. Harnesses can be found in varied designs, every offering totally different options and ranges of adjustability.
Regulators and Manifolds: These elements regulate the circulate of gasoline from the cylinders to your second levels, making certain a constant and breathable provide.
Buoyancy Compensator (BCD): This machine gives buoyancy management, permitting you to take care of impartial buoyancy and regulate your place within the water.
Weighting System: This technique ensures you’re correctly weighted to your chosen surroundings and gives a method to fine-tune your buoyancy.
In comparison with conventional again mount diving, AK facet mount boasts a number of notable benefits:
Streamlining: The positioning of cylinders permits for a lower-profile configuration.
Redundancy: Having two impartial cylinders and regulators provides a considerably elevated margin of security. Within the occasion of a regulator failure, a diver can simply change to the opposite tank.
Fuel Administration: Aspect mount lets you rigorously handle your gasoline provide and change between cylinders, optimizing your dive profile and lengthening backside time.
Entry to Confined Areas: The power to take away a cylinder and feed it to a teammate or place the cylinder in a good spot, or to make passages simpler to traverse.
Consolation: Aspect mount can distribute the load of the cylinders extra evenly throughout the physique, decreasing pressure on the again, resulting in a extra snug expertise.
Main Classes of AK Aspect Mount Methods
Now, let’s delve into the first classes of AK facet mount programs out there in the present day:
Traditional Fashion
These programs typically symbolize the extra conventional method to AK facet mount. They usually include a harness, a BCD, and a weighting system. They’re typically identified for his or her simplicity and streamlined profile.
These programs typically make the most of a bungee wire system to safe the cylinders near the physique, minimizing drag. Many use a primary webbing harness with adjustable straps to customise the match. The BCD is normally a wing model, offering glorious buoyancy management.
Key Options and Traits
These programs are inclined to give attention to simplicity and performance. They typically characteristic minimal {hardware} and a give attention to streamlining. They’re designed to supply important performance with out pointless complexity. Adjustability is commonly current to supply tailor-made match for the diver’s physique.
Professionals:
Simplicity: The diminished variety of elements could make the system simpler to know and keep.
Streamlining: The design typically prioritizes a modern profile, minimizing drag and bettering hydrodynamics.
Light-weight: The minimal {hardware} can lead to a lighter setup, which will be advantageous throughout journey or when deploying in difficult environments.
Value-effective: Typically, these programs are supplied at a lower cost level in comparison with extra built-in programs.
Cons:
Potential for Slippage: With no correctly designed and fitted harness, the cylinders would possibly shift or slip, impacting the diver’s steadiness and streamlining.
Restricted Options: Some programs could lack sure options, resembling built-in weight pockets or extra attachment factors.
Much less Adjustability: Relying on the mannequin, adjustability is likely to be extra restricted in comparison with the extra feature-rich hybrid or built-in programs.
Goal Diver:
This kind of system typically appeals to skilled divers, notably these concerned in cave diving, who worth simplicity and a minimalist method. It can be appropriate for open water divers in search of a streamlined and versatile setup.
Hybrid Configurations
These programs typically symbolize a center floor, incorporating parts of each conventional AK facet mount and again mount BCD designs. They usually combine options resembling adjustable harnesses, built-in weight pockets, and extra subtle BCD designs.
Key Options and Traits:
These programs provide enhanced adjustability and built-in options. They typically include extra attachment factors, which give larger potential for personalization and the addition of equipment. The BCD designs can range, however they typically provide larger raise capability and buoyancy management.
Professionals:
Extra Integration: Hybrid configurations typically combine weight pockets, attachment factors, and different options, simplifying setup and bettering comfort.
Elevated Adjustability: These programs ceaselessly permit for a larger diploma of customization, enabling divers to fine-tune the match and efficiency.
Enhanced Buoyancy Management: The BCD designs normally provide improved buoyancy and trim management, contributing to a greater diving expertise.
Versatility: The built-in options and adjustable elements permit for a wider vary of diving environments and kinds.
Cons:
Elevated Complexity: The elevated variety of elements and adjustability choices can add complexity to the setup course of.
Potential for Bulk: The built-in options could improve the general bulk of the system, which may change into a problem in sure conditions.
Greater Value: Hybrid programs are usually costlier than the fundamental conventional designs.
Goal Diver:
Hybrid configurations attraction to a wider vary of divers, together with leisure divers, technical divers, and people in search of a flexible and adjustable system. They’re typically superb for divers who desire a mixture of streamlined efficiency and added comfort.
Backplate and Wing Methods for AK Aspect Mount
Some divers favor to adapt their backplate and wing programs for AK facet mount diving. This method leverages the modularity of backplate and wing programs, providing glorious buoyancy management and a well-recognized setup for divers already accustomed to this configuration.
Key Options and Traits:
The important thing characteristic is a well-recognized backplate and wing setup is utilized. Typically these programs include extra harness choices, and cylinder attachment programs for facet mount configurations. The BCD includes a wing design providing raise and buoyancy.
Professionals:
Familiarity: These programs present a well-recognized interface and setup for divers who’re accustomed to backplate and wing configurations.
Wonderful Buoyancy Management: Backplate and wing programs are identified for his or her distinctive buoyancy management and stability.
Modularity: The modular design permits divers to customise the system to their particular wants and preferences.
Cons:
Potential for Bulk: Relying on the wing dimension and backplate materials, the system could also be bulkier than devoted AK facet mount configurations.
Harness Adjustability: Attaining the optimum trim can typically be difficult with a backplate and wing system.
Added Weight: The sturdy elements of those programs can lead to a better weight.
Goal Diver:
This method appeals to divers who’re already acquainted with backplate and wing programs and need to transition to AK facet mount. Additionally it is appropriate for divers who want distinctive buoyancy management or require a modular system for his or her diving wants.
Elements: A Nearer Look and Their Variations
Understanding the particular elements and their variations is important for making knowledgeable choices about your AK facet mount setup.
Harness Methods
The harness is the muse of your AK facet mount system.
Completely different Harness Designs: Harness designs range considerably. Some make the most of primary webbing with adjustable straps, providing simplicity and adjustability. Different harness programs could incorporate bungee cords and provide extra complicated adjustment mechanisms for a greater match.
Materials Concerns: The fabric of the harness influences its sturdiness, consolation, and weight. Webbing is sturdy and cost-effective, whereas extra superior supplies could provide larger power or consolation.
Buoyancy Compensators (BCDs)
The BCD gives the buoyancy management vital to take care of impartial buoyancy and management your place within the water.
Wing Design: Wings are available in varied designs, together with donut, horseshoe, and modified kinds. The donut wing gives glorious trim and stability.
Quantity and Carry Concerns: The wing’s raise capability ought to be applicable to your diving wants. Over-lift could be a security hazard, whereas inadequate raise will make it tough to handle buoyancy.
Materials Concerns: BCDs are usually constructed from sturdy supplies like Cordura, chosen for his or her resistance to abrasion and the surroundings.
Regulators and Manifolds
The regulators and manifolds management the circulate of gasoline out of your cylinders.
Regulator Configuration: Regulators are crucial for protected and environment friendly respiration. Regulators are usually set as much as have one main regulator linked to every tank.
Hose Routing Concerns: Correct hose routing is important for streamlining.
Cylinder Choices
The cylinders maintain the respiration gasoline that sustains your dive.
Cylinder Sorts: Cylinders are generally created from metal or aluminum. Metal cylinders are heavier however provide larger buoyancy, whereas aluminum cylinders are lighter and extra buoyant.
Dimension Concerns: Cylinder dimension ought to be primarily based on the diver’s gasoline consumption and dive period.
Valve Sorts: Take into account the kind of valve, whether or not it’s DIN or yoke.
Selecting the Proper AK Aspect Mount System: The Determination Course of
Choosing the precise AK facet mount system is a vital step in constructing your superb diving setup.
Diving surroundings: Take into account the place you’ll dive. Cave diving requires a streamlined, minimalist setup, whereas leisure diving could profit from a extra feature-rich configuration.
Expertise degree: Skilled divers could favor the simplicity and customization of conventional programs.
Funds: AK facet mount programs vary extensively in worth.
Private preferences: Take into account your consolation.
Significance {of professional} coaching and steering. Skilled coaching is important for studying protected and efficient AK facet mount diving strategies.
Suggestions for inexperienced persons. Begin with a good coaching course and get fitted correctly by an skilled teacher.
Upkeep: Preserving Your Funding
Correct upkeep is crucial for making certain the longevity and security of your AK facet mount system.
Common inspection of apparatus. Carry out a visible inspection of your tools.
Cleansing and storage of apparatus. Rinse your tools completely with recent water after every dive. Retailer it in a cool, dry place.
Significance {of professional} servicing. Common service from a professional technician is important for the protection and reliability of your regulators and different tools.
Conclusion: Embracing the Freedom of Exploration
AK facet mount diving is a flexible, rewarding method to underwater exploration. By understanding the totally different AK facet mount sorts, you may select the system that most accurately fits your diving wants, price range, and preferences. Keep in mind that correct coaching and steady follow are important for safely and successfully using an AK facet mount system.
The journey to deeper waters awaits, and with the precise AK facet mount setup, you may be well-equipped to embrace the liberty of exploration and uncover the wonders of the underwater world.
