PADI Sidemount Diver (2 days / 3 dives)

Sidemount diving is an equipment configuration which has diving cylinders mounted alongside the diver, below the shoulders and along the hips, instead of on the back of the diver. It began as a configuration popular with advanced cave divers, as smaller sections of cave can be penetrated and tanks can be changed with greater ease. The same benefits for operating in confined spaces were also recognized by divers who conducted technical wreck diving penetrations.

Sidemount diving is now growing in popularity within the technical diving community for general decompression diving and is becoming an increasingly popular specialty training for recreational diving.

PADI Sidemount diving training with proper Side Mount Configuration offers:

• An alternative way to streamline yourself and the equipment in the water
• Easier cylinder logistics on the surface
• Reduced lower back strain
• Provides redundant gas supply
• Ability to monitor all regulators, valves and gauges because they are in front
• Increased gas supply for longer dives

During the course you will learn:

• Equipment configuration and preparation
• Body posture and trim
• Propulsion techniques
• Gas management
• Proper Sidemount diver procedures and emergencies

PADI Tec Sidemount Diver (3 days / 5 dives)

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.