Sidemount equipment is an innovative gear arrangement which may be used for all types of diving and is unlike any other gear arrangement that a diver may be accustomed to using.
Sidemount equipment configuration facilitates “spot on” buoyancy within minutes and results in a more streamline profile than a conventional gear configuration.
Sidemount scuba diving is a safe alternative option for gas management allowing the diver to always see their valves and first stages.
Sidemount scuba diving is a different approach to gear configuration which allows the diver to carry both of their tanks on all dives providing greater safety due to the volume of gas.
Sidemount can be used for all recreational, reef, wreck, and wall dives. Interested in technical diving? No need to purchase another set of equipment as your sidemount gear will carry you through these advanced levels of training.
Sidemount diving is becoming the preferred equipment configuration for extended range dives, cave dives, and deep exploration dives.
Sidemount diving is not a new concept, but its application has spread from cave diving to open water recreational and technical diving. Sidemount diving presents divers with a different approach to equipment configuration, and a new set of skills to master.
The purpose of the PADI Sidemount Diver courses is to familiarize divers with the skills, knowledge, planning, organization, procedures, techniques, problems, hazards and enjoyment of diving in double cylinders properly configured for open water side mount diving. The Sidemount specialty courses are intended to serve as a safe, supervised introduction to Sidemount diving within the limits of recreational diving limits as well as to utilize this configuration for technical diving.
Training should emphasize fun and safety. The goals of PADI Open Water Side Mount Diver training are:
- To develop the student’s theoretical knowledge of side mount diving.
- To enable the student to plan, organize and make safe side mount dives within their current certification levels.
This course covers the knowledge, skills and techniques for open water side mount diving.
Additionally, some divers who suffer from back problems or disabilities that affect use of their legs find that sidemounting provides a welcome alternative to the use of heavy, back-mounted doubles.
PADI – Recreational Sidemount Diver Course
Find a new and different way to configure your cylinders with the PADI Sidemount Diver course. Sidemount diving offers:
- an alternative way to streamline in the water
- easier equipment transportation when topside
- reduced lower back strain
- provides redundant gas supply
- ability to monitor all equipment because it’s in front of you
- increased gas supply for longer dives
Because you are able to move the cylinder from your back to your side, it instantly takes the pressure off of your back and gives you more flexibility to move and enjoy your dive. Plus, you don’t have to walk to the dive site with the cylinders on your back. You can enter the water and clip them on and go.
Prerequisites:
- PADI Open Water Diver
- At least 15 years old
| Duration: |
2 days 4 dives |
| Certification: | PADI |
| Cost: | $400.00 diver (+$200.00 for instructor upgrade) |
PADI TecRec – Tec Sidemount Diver Course
Tec Sidemount offers the same benefits as the PADI Sidemount Diver course but gives you the opportunity to dive with 2+ cylinders for extended dive times.
The Tec Sidemount Diver course is a great way to get started into technical diving because the skills you learn in this course will train you to handle multiple cylinders on a single dive. You can combine what you learn in the Tec Sidemount Diver course with other open-circuit tec courses that you take, or certifications you’ve already earned, to take advantage of sidemount’s cylinder configuration and handling advantages.
Prerequisites:
- Be certified as a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or have a qualifying certification from another training organization
- Have logged 30 or more dives
- At least 18 years old
- Certification as a PADI Enriched Air Diver is recommended
| Duration: |
2 days 5 dives |
| Certification: | PADI |
| Cost: | $600.00 diver (+$200.00 for instructor upgrade) |
| Upgrade: | Rec to Tec: $200.00 diver (+$300.00 for instructor upgrade) |
Sidemount Equipment Requirements:
Other equipment needed for Tec class:
Sidemount Diving Training Video
Dive pros Jill Heinerth and Jeff Loflin lead you through the fundamentals of sidemount diving. Equipment selection, gear setup,techniques and skills are covered in this comprehensive video guide. From beginner to professional – recreational, cave, or wreck diver, you will find useful tools to help you improve your diving. Filmed in underwater locations around the world, featuring leading sidemount divers including Nick Hollis, Brian Kakuk, Jakub Rehacek and more.
Sidemount Diving Video! Click HERE to purchase.
