Do you want to become a Sidemount diver. You've come to the right spot, as this article will cover all the details!
You don't need to worry about how all this will work. The course includes learning how to set-up your Sidemount equipment, as well as how to measure and adjust clips and bungees so that your tanks are in perfect trim. You will have your instructor to assist you in all aspects.
I just arrived on Malapascua Island, Philippines. I will be working my way up to become a Tec diving instructor over the next two-months. Since the past two years, I have been a recreational instructor in Bali. Now I want to increase my professional diving experience. Sidemount PCB was where I got my first taste of technical diving. Tom West, Tec instructor-trainer and course director at PADI, made me a Tec-50 diver.
Academics - Technical courses have similar academic requirements to other classes. Students will conduct some self-study and present their findings to their instructor. A technical course requires that you plan your dives in advance. This is a crucial step to ensure a safe and successful dive. The gas management discussion in overhead and deep diving is more complex than what most divers are used too. A computer program can be used to calculate gas volumes and reserves.
Initially I had no interest in technical diving. I distinctly remember chuckling to myself at the Tec divers I saw, wondering why anyone would want to carry more equipment underwater. I love the sense of freedom and proximity to nature that can envelop you in “the silent world.” However, Tom had a reputation as an inspirational teacher, and as I was working in a dive shop with Tec courses it seemed rude not to at least try.
Because single orifice duals and backmounted independencies are less common today, backmounted doubles became popular. Independents have two cylinders strapped to the back of one another with independent regulators. If the 1st stage failed, the diver would only need one cylinder. Single orifice twos were two cylinders that were connected with a regulator and a valve. A failure on the first stage would result in gas loss. Both problems are solved by the isolation manifold doubles that are used today. Each cylinder may be used independently. But, divers can also use the same regulator to breathe gas from both. These doubles are often held together by metal bands. If necessary, the valves can be connected to an isolation manifold. Backmounted doubles diving has a similar profile to regular single-cylinder dives. However, the profile is vertically identical.
A minimum of fitness is required for scuba diving. A physician may be required to approve you before diving if you have any chronic conditions, are taking certain medications, or have had recent surgery.
Technical diving refers to being exposed to a ceiling which prevents divers from reaching the surface at all times. This could be caused either by a physical ceiling such as a cave or wreck or a virtual one created by a dive restriction. If the NDL is exceeded, mandatory decompression stops must be made on ascent to avoid any decompression sickness. Most cases require special equipment, such as Sidemounts or Twinsets. To optimize Nitrogen offgassing, Twinsets or Sidemounts are necessary.
Don't wait! Find a TDI instructor near you today: https://www.tdisdi.com/search/?area=instructors
We offer the TDI course as an option, although we can also teach the SDI course if asked. This course can be taken on its own, or with the Apprentice Cave Diver course.
The freedom of movement of the head for sidemount divers is very attractive where a twinset can always be felt in the neck by a diver…something to get used to.
You can choose between recreational Sidemount or technical Sidemount with most agencies. Although the prerequisites are the same for TDI and SDI, the tec sidemount course will give you more skills. This course will require you to be more skilled in mastering the skills. You must maintain a perfect trim and keep your body level throughout.
You should know what you are getting. Prices include instruction fees and eLearning fees. Keep in mind that eLearning can cost anywhere from $140 up to $280. If you pay for elearning separately, then a course costing $640 from us could be the same price as a course costing $500 from another source.
The benefits of rebreathers include the ability to extend your diving time by avoiding large cylinders and instead recycling the gas exhaled from the diver. They also scrub the CO2 out of the air and inject prescriptive amounts gas from smaller cylinders. This can significantly increase your dive time, especially for deep dives. The configuration of the rebreathers will determine the shape they create. They can be either sidemounted or back.
To begin a technical diving course, you must have completed the following prerequisites: a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certificate or equivalent, a PADI Enriched Air Diver certificate or equivalent, and a PADI Deep Diver certificate or proof of at least 10 dives to 30 metres/100 feet.
According to experts, approximately 40% of technical divers enroll in additional education and training programs. This yields a reasonable estimate of approximately 160,000 active technical divers worldwide.
Have a PADI Deep Specialty Instructor certification or have completed a PADI Deep Specialty Instructor course. Have at least 100 logged dives, including at least 20 enriched air dives, 25 dives deeper than 18 meters/60 feet, and 15 dives deeper than 30 meters/100 feet. You can become a Tec 45 diver.