UTD Z-Side-Mount Diving

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Basics of Z Side-Mount Diving

Z-Side-Mount System

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Basics of UTD Z-Side-Mount System

Z-Side-Mount is a standardized system of Side-Mount diving that includes our roots of DIR/Hogarthian diving and yet incorporates and adheres to our UTD Principles and Convenants. - It is Scalable, Consistent, Integrated and Minimalistic*.

Side-Mount diving places the scuba cylinders under your arm/s, instead of mounting it or them on your back. The Z-Side-Mount System is a standardized configuration that allows you to realize the liberation and ease associated with not having the cylinder/s and/or weights on your back. Side Mount diving was born in cave diving, however the configuration was often incompatible with UTD/DIR/Hogarthian configuration.

The Z-Side-Mount System configuration now allows for full compatiblity, intergrated, scaleable and unification of the team, when side-mount diving is needed. For example, when recreational or technical diving from a zodiac, or kayak or when one needs to make a difficult shore entry, Z-Side-Mount Diving has proven to be a viable alternate to back-mounting your cylinder/s. Of course when "advanced side mount cave diving", meaning you are crawling around in some really tiny places, or even when do a general cave dive, side-mounting the cylinders can be of great advantage, especially when one can now stay consistent and unified in their configuraiton, skills and approach towards the dive. Another area that has taken advantage of Z-Side-Mount Diving configuration is divers with disabilities or physical limitations and they need to remove the weight off their backs while on the surface. The reason Z-Side-Mount Diving configuration has such advantages for divers in the above examples is that it allows you to put the cylinders in the water prior to entering the water and then attaching them to the diver prior to descending.

Z-Side-Mount diving takes advantage of the the cylinders
mounted on the side but remains “Team” oriented by still having the
donateble long hose, necklace hose, bcd inflation hose and drysuit
hose - if needed all feed by the cylinders that are plugged into
the distribution block (Z-Manifold). The Z-Side-Mount Diving
configuration allows for this. The system consists of a Z-Harness,
a Z-Manifold (Distribution block), a Z-Trim Device/Z-Plus-Trim Device and Z-Weights. These components can be used together independently to provide you with an Z-Ultimate experience. For more information about the system go to http://utdequipment.com/zsystem1.html

Benefits of the UTD’s Z-Side-Mount System Configuration for Side Mount Diving

Z-Harness (a basic Side-Mount Harness) can be custom fit to each diver. The advantages include comfort, ease of movement,
simplicity, and minimal drag.
Z-Trim Device or Z-Plus-Trim Device is a low profile, streamline "buoyancy" device which enables buoyancy, balance and trim control resulting in a
more streamlined profile making moving through the water easier and
more efficient.
Z-Manifold (Distribution Block) is a extremely robust distribution block which allows one to have one or two "inputs" and up to 6 outputs.
This allows the diver to plug in the gases of choice and then
provide the diver with a donatable long hose, necklace, BCD,
drysuit and even drive a side mounted rebreather.
Z-System Side-Mount Diving makes is easier for entries and less stress on the body by staging tanks in the water. Great for divers
with physical limitations.
A safe option for air management as there is easy access to cylinder valve(s), first stage(s) and alternate regulator should a
problem arise.
100% compatible and integrated into DIR/UTD back mounted configuration and rebreather configuration and our signature "team"
diving approach.
Less bulk for easier dive travel.

See the Z-System Setup Video's

In the Z-Side-mount system, we use the Z-Manifold (distribution block) to "enhance" the functionality of the system and DO NOT RELY on for the dive. By distributing the gas, one is able to enjoy all the benefits (Long hose, necklace, bcd and so on at all times) with far less risk than an isolator knob on a set of doubles (z-manifold is low profile, low pressure, static o-rings). If you have any issues with the Z-Manifold, your first line of defense is bailout to "traditional" side-mount and then ultimately to your buddy. By bailing out to traditional side-mount you can simply unplug the cylinders and use a standard second stage to breath the gas, you can orally inflate the BCD.

With the Z-Side-Mount System and the Z-Manifold Block (Distribution block) what one get's is all the benefits, as listed below, without increasing the risk, in fact the risk is less than an isolator knob on a standard set of doubles manifold.

Benefits of Z-Side-Mount System over Traditional Side-Mount

Scalable - One can use ONE system for all diving... Single (1) Tank (Recreational), 2 tanks (Tech-reational), 3 tanks(Technical), 4 tanks (Trimix). Deco bottles, Stages...Imagine that you can now stage a cave with cylinders, and deco bottle, plug them into the system and always have donate-able long hose, necklace, bcd, drysuit and even rebreather function with any cylinder in the cave. Even Rebreathers (PSCR and mCCR) - See MXZ mCCR Rebreather Configuration - One CANNOT do this with traditional Side-mount.

Consistent - Within a UTD/DIR Team and all environments. One can easily dive within a mixed team (back-mount, rebreather and side-mount) and still have the donate-able long hose wrapped around your neck at all times. (NO MORE Stuffing the long hose) Most importantly one can ALWAYS DONATE FROM ONE'S MOUTH - again something traditional side-mount configuration does not offer. With Z-Side-Mount System we can even do better than with traditional UTD/DIR back-mount in that we even have donate-able long hose at all times even during DECO.

Minimalist - Only take what you need. One does not need to configure every tank and/or stage bottle with two regulators, drysuit hose and BCD hose. Again when staging a cave ( dropping stage and deco bottles) to do big cave pushes, one does not worry about the fact that the stage bottle only has a single regulator on it anymore (traditional Back-Mount and side-mount) Now when one uses stages, we have the ability to plug it into the Z-Side-Mount system and get FULL functionality.

Integration - It integrates perfectly into our already established 20 years of UTD/DIR/Hogarthian system. The light is still on the right side, the argon is still worn on the left side, the 7'/2m long hose still wraps around your neck and tucks under the light or knife, One still breaths the donate-able hose at all times, you still have a necklace regulator always ready to go, one still uses rock bottom gas management, one still uses Ratio Deco... blah blah blah.

Essentially it fully meets the 10 covenants of UTD.

Education - Click Here for Details

UTD’s Essentials of Z-Side-Mount Diving class is designed to compliment your current certification level. You can add the advantages of using a Z-Side-Mount System into your personal recreational diving. These classes are not designed to be classes based on “gas certification” or “teach you to dive” but rather to highlight “how to” use the Z-System within your current certification level.

Basic Z-Side-Mount System Equipment System Outline

Primary regulator on a 7 ft. primary hose, donatable and worn in the traditional UTD/DIR hogarthian style
Back-up regulator, necklaced and worn in the traditional UTD/DIR hogarthian style
Non-split variety fins.
Backplate or Z-Harness system
Back inflate style trimming device - Z-Trim Device.
At least one depth-measuring device
At least one time-keeping device
One spool with minimum 100 feet of line
One surface marker or lift bag for OW only
Exposure suit appropriate for the environment you will be diving in.
Note regarding cylinders:
- AL80’s/11l or Al40’s/6l depended on volumetric needs
- Single tank worn of left side
- Z-Manifold for input and distribution of gas.

UTD Z-Diving System - A Recreational Side Mounting System from Unified Team Diving on Vimeo.

Discussion Forum

New method of attaching Tank Bungee to Z-Plate or Backplate

Started by Unified Team Diving. Last reply by Jan-willem De Bleser Apr 15. 8 Replies 1 Like

GuysPeople have being asking how we attach the tank bungee (new way) to both the Z-harness and/or the backplate when side-mounting the tanks. I have included 4 pictures below for your review. We…Continue

Tags: z-bungee, bungee, zsystem, z-system

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Comment Wall

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Comment by George K. Watson on March 8, 2011 at 3:43pm: I did a pair of cave dives in Mexico with it last week and continue to be impressed with the overall 'diveability' of the system. It's super comfortable even in a more aggressive cave configuration. The stability is there and the management is pretty easy.

Comment by John Bailey on March 8, 2011 at 3:05pm: I had a chance to try it in Mexico last week. I've never been in sidemount so I can't compare it to other sm rigs. I found it very comfortable and immediately felt stable in the water. I would have liked to have spent some more time in it and think it is definitely worth considering as an alternative to traditional doubles for some applications.

Comment by Jan-willem De Bleser on March 8, 2011 at 3:00am: I find myself a little underweighted with a drysuit but I'd like to avoid having an excessively heavy weight belt. Any Europeans out there know a good place to get bullet or pass-through style weights to put in the trim device pockets? There's a UK company selling 3 lb weights, but they haven't gotten back to me with dimensions yet. Most other online stores are in the US (expensive shipping) and my LDS's distributor doesn't have them.

Should have thought to bring some back with me last time I was in the US...

Comment by Don Chennavasin on January 22, 2011 at 7:28pm: Just came back from two dives in Monterey, CA. Recreational sidemount with AL80 and drysuit.

Given the surf and lack of buoy, I kitted up on the stairs leading to the beach. Found that I likes the slim side profile for breaking through the waves.

Even with choppy surface conditions, the Z-Trim device kept my head comfortably above water (similar to a good 30# singles wing).

In water is what I expected - slick. Great ease of movement you associate with sidemount, with a lack of bulk because of the a simple harness and streamlined trim device. Because I had a drysuit, was able to effectively compensate for the change in weight of the AL80 throughout the dive.

My only complaint, the pull dump string is tiny. With drygloves, it takes a little to feel and find. Easy replacement though.

Comment by Unified Team Diving on January 18, 2011 at 5:27am: Hi Andrew

DId a dive yesterday at Cueva de los Murcielagos this cave involves some dry caving and going through two tight restrictions in the dry part to get to the water, I had the harness and wing on I was expecting to get caught up on the rock a bit at least, I did not at all my back slid nicely along and the wing did not get caught up at all so in the water I am sure it will be even easier.

The wing is great UW, I picked up a big rock to test the "compression" feel if very inflated and it was super comfortable, I inflated the wing to well beyond what I would ever do and it was a bit tight as excpected but comfortable, air dumps super easy, lift is nice and in the hips.

I use no BC device with two tanks and to tell you the truth this wing is actually more comfortable than a deflated MSR. I did not even know it was there, it is great.

On the way out through the dry cave I the restrictions I tried to get caught up on purpose, and these are tight, but it slid through as with no wing no problem.

I will just leave it on my harness since it is totally out of the way when not in use and also makes the Razor look way cooler..lol

Great product and so far other than the teeth thing we spoke about (not really an issue anyway) I have not found any faults with the design.

If I find anything that I feel may work better or improve the design (I doubt it) I will let you know.

Sorry I woke you up the other day I thought you were in CA

Speak to you soon

Pics of the Cueva de los Murcielagos in the link below

http://dr-ss.com/drss/media/gallery/Cueva-De-Los-Murcielagos/index....

Phillip

www.aquavistafilms.com

www.dr-ss.com

1 829 340 3104

Comment by Unified Team Diving on December 17, 2010 at 11:32am: John

http://utdequipment.com/index.php?cPath=31_37

UTD

Comment by Unified Team Diving on November 18, 2010 at 7:20pm: Harry

Thank you for the questions. Let me reiterate that the system is designed for "Fun" recreational diving in shallow water and much like "normal" recreational divers with a standard regulator and tank system or even a recreational "DIR" system and/or long and necklace, a shutoff and OPV is unnecessary, even if a free flow happens. Also keep in mind that the 2nd stages act as OPV's and if the manifold or hoses were to "fail," one would simply do as you would do in recreational diving that has one air source and turn to a team mate for gas to bailout and go home.

Some divers may feel the manifold has more failure points than a first stage, however keep in mind that it is a static marine grade brass block with 8 o-rings. That is about half the failure points of any first stage mounted on your back, let alone that a first stage is dynamic and has more potential to fail than static items.

As far as it as a more technical/cave system with tanks on either side of the divers, feeding the block, with isolators and the 2nd stages on the tanks and being able to donate the long hoses, this is all in testing by our test team, and let me assure you that it is no problem to donate the hose, even with a bottle on the right side. But I really cannot let the cat out the bag until we have completely tested the configuration and built materials and so on to support that style of diving. But stay tuned, it is a super exciting development in the scuba industry and being received very well at DEMA.

As far availability the entire systems they are currently available. We will be shipping in the next two weeks.

Andrew

Comment by Harry on November 18, 2010 at 9:17am: Hy I have some Questions on the Z-Mainfold.

In the current version only one first Stage delivers Gas through the QC 6 Conector to the Mainfoldblock. There 2 Second Stages are attached.

1.) Why there are no Shut Off Valves in front of each Second Stage?
2.) Why there is no Over Pressure Valve in the Mainfold block?

It is clear that as long as there are no Shut OFF Valves the Over Pressure Valve isn´t required.

But
Case 1.) Free flowing second Stage.
How can I stop this?
In the current Version the only way to stop the Freeflow and prevent the total loss of gas is to shut off the Valve of the Stage Bottle or to disconect the QC 6. But in both cases I also Closed down the only Air supply

If 2 Shut Off Valves and one OverPressureValve would be added to this configuration The reachtion in the same Situation would be.
only to close the Shut Off Valve in front of the freeflowing Second Stage.

So why did you decide to turn this option down?

I have an additional question on the use of more than one bottle.
If the bottle is attached on the rigth side of the diver. How can he deploy his longhose in the current configuration?

My aim is not to afford sombody. I watched all the availible material about the Z-Harnes. Then the questions I listed above came up.

Kind Regards
Harry

Comment by Daniel Schelvis on November 18, 2010 at 7:35am: If the backplate that Andrew dropped is not good anymore, please give it to me :-D. Same thing for the Al80 with the Deco configuration .....

Comment by John Walker on November 18, 2010 at 7:14am: Currently, the two wing pouches hold 5# each/ 10# total. Weight pockets can be added to the harness waist belt providing an additional 20+ pounds .