Sidemount is perfect for the overhead environment

What you will learn

Sidemount diving was developed by cave divers for application in the overhead environment. As such this system is well suited to diving in the caves but also lends itself to anywhere with restricted access or difficulty in portage of heavy equipment.

Whatever your reasons for seeking training in sidemount configuration and techniques we are sure you will love it. We primarily focus on technical sidemount for application in the overhead environment. But we can also offer recreational focussed training for open water applications.

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Learn to Cave Dive Cenote Nariz
Learn to Cave Dive Nohoch Nah Chich
Cueva del Agua, Cartagena, Spain
Learn to Cave Dive in Cenotes


1

Before your course starts

Eligibility & eLearning

Prerequisites – The following requirements must be met prior to commencing your Technical Sidemount Diver training;

  • Minimum age 18

  • Minimum certification of SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, or equivalent

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eLearning – After your eligibility prerequisites have been confirmed, we can send your eLearning course code(s).

This will be generated by ourselves and sent to you in advance of starting your course.


2

Practical diver training

Sidemount Diver Course

Avg. Duration – The Recreational Sidemount Diver course takes anywhere between one and two days to complete. The Technical Sidemount Diver course takes anywhere between two and three days to complete.

Course Combinations – It is possible to combine the Technical Sidemount Diver course with any of the overhead course options (except cave DPV). This combination options vary, please contact us us for further information based on your chosen options.

Other Considerations – You must take the course in appropriate configuration, using redundant regulators and air supplies. We can supply full rental equipment if you do not yet own your own sidemount gear.

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3

Where to go from here

What next?

On Completion – You are able to conduct either recreational or technical sidemount dives within your training and certification limits, without the supervision of an instructor

The Next Level – You now have the skill set of a sidemount diver. Its time to build your experience and maybe consider using your new sidemount skills on the advanced wreck speciality or taking them into the overhead environment and seeking cave diver training.

‘Cave Diver Training’ Find out more…

Sidemount Diver Course Skills & Learning

Course Content

What you can expect to learn

  • The TDI Sidemount Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:
  • Gas matching procedures to include dissimilar volumes
  • Gas management utilizing independent cylinders
  • Psychological considerations of technical diving
  • Equipment considerations including; Cylinder options, Regulator options, Buoyancy compensator/harness options, Proper weighting, Equipment configurations

  • Communication (light and hand signals)

  • Problem solving in a sidemount configuration
  • Diving in tight or confined spaces

  • Conservation

  • Water entries/exits
  • S-drills specific to sidemount diving

Required Skills

Skills you will demonstrate

  • During your training you will have to demonstrate the following skills:

  • Demonstrate various propulsion techniques such as the frog kick, modified frog kick, modified flutter kick, backwards kick, helicopter turns, and hand pulling if appropriate for the environment.
  • Demonstrate adequate buoyancy control; ability to hover at a fixed position in water column without moving hands or feet
  • Demonstrate adequate trim; ability to maintain proper position during the descent, bottom, and ascent portion of the dive
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform the following exercises while maintaining trim and buoyancy in the water column: Unclipping and attaching sidemount cylinders, Perform gas switches with and without a mask, Demonstrate the ability to safely manage gas in independent cylinders, Demonstrate conservation, awareness, and back referencing techniques,Deploy a lift bag
  • Carry additional cylinders is optional in this course

When Certified

What’s in it for you?

  • Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in sidemount diving activities without direct supervision so long as the following limits are adhered to:
  • The diving activities approximate those of training
  • The areas of activities approximate those of training
  • Planned dives do not exceed diver’s current certification level
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