Technical diving was something that I never had an interest in at first. I remember laughing at the Tec divers and wondering why anyone would need more equipment. I love the feeling you get when you are close to nature. Tom had a reputation for being an inspirational teacher. It seemed to me that I should at least try.
The Sidemount dive setup is slightly different from the backmount, as is the equipment.
We do not issue certification cards unless they are earned. The mere fact that you have taken part in a training course does not make you certified. There may be multiple certification agencies that offer certification cards for cave courses. C-cards typically cost $30 each depending on the agency. You can ask your instructor more.
By allowing divers to exhale gas, the rebreather can extend their diving capabilities. The rebreather will then recycle the gas and inject the required amount of gas into the cylinder. This can dramatically increase the dive time when compared to using double the size and weight cylinders, especially for deeper dives. You can have rebreathers back- or sidemounted. The profile they create will depend on their configuration.
You might consider continuing to Tec Sidemount Diver, where you will learn additional skills that are specific to tec diving in sidemount like switching deco cylinders and staging.
The following options are available for those looking for diving classes alternatives and lessons, as well as information on the best next steps in their education.
How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver Machine
Television, magazines or stories from a close friend can all be used to explore the underwater world. It doesn't really matter which source you use, it is still exciting and very enticing. So what can we do to continue exploring? What is technical diving?
Sidemount is not something you'll be doing during cave diving training. Instead, you should look at our CDS Basics Orientation Course.
‘Diving into Darkness’ by Phillip Finch is telling the story about an Australian cave diver trying to recover a body in a South African cave called Bushman’s hole.
Sidemount regulators are also covered. You'll usually find one regulator on long hoses and one on shorter hoses with a necklace. Sidemount regs can be marked to distinguish the tank from which you are inhaling, unlike regular regs. This was a swivel-joint that I used to control my short hose regulator during my training. Additionally, you will receive two SPGs for each stage.
Decompression divers employ oxygen mixtures of all kinds to extend their time looking at wrecks and reefs on the ocean floor. While the sport diver may get two 15 minute bottom time dives at 100ft the decompression diver can cruise around for 60 minutes or more, getting the most bang for their buck.
There are three components to certification: skill practice, knowledge development and open water diving. All three parts can be completed locally or on vacation, or you can split them.
Academics – The academic portions of a technical course are very similar to any other scuba class. Students will do some self study and bring the new knowledge to a discussion with their instructor. The dive planning aspects for a technical course are significantly extended from what most individuals are used to but a vital part of executing a successful dive. In overhead and decompression diving, the gas management portions of the planning discussion will take longer than most divers are used to. They even utilize a computer program to calculate their gas volumes and reserves required for the dive.
Sidemount rigs were initially designed for cave diving. It allows divers to pass through small cracks and restrictions (tiny hole) much more easily than the traditional back mount rig.
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.