How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver Certification

Diving Instructor

New gear means new techniques. Even though sidemount diving is simple, you will need to master some new skills.

If you want some diving classes alternative and lessons or want to know what's best next for your education, take a look at the three options below.

How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver Certification

Why do divers fall backwards —

The choice of equipment is very individual and different divers will recommend different styles. In general to go with a well known brand is useful as they stand for quality, performance and configurability. Some of the best brands are Apeks, Diverite, Halcyon, OMS, Scubapro, Hollis and some newer brands like xDeep or Tecline. The preferred divecomputers for tech divers at the moment are Shearwater products, whether it be the Petrel 2 or Perdix, the flexibility of the algorithm, handling and display.

In addition to the Sidemount equipment, you will need your regular wetsuit and fins.

How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver 000

One of the most significant innovations in equipment cave divers have seen since the beginning of this century has been the transition from backmounted to sidemount doubles. Many cave divers now sidemount. There may even be more open-circuit sidemount cave divers that backmount cave divers.

If you're not ready to try diving locally, but want to support your local dive shop, you can complete eLearning and coursework near home, then complete your training dives while traveling. Contact your local PADI Dive Center to ask about a referral.

How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver 000
Certified Diver

Certified Diver

If you are interested in the SDI course, we will teach it. By default, however we also offer the TDI. You can take this course as a standalone, however our students often combine it with our Apprentice Cave Diver program.

While most Sidemount divers use two tanks as a standard, you can also just use one tank (I was told it’s called ‘monkey’) or more than two tanks for deco dives.

Manifolded Twin Sets

Technical divers dive at depths less than the recreational limit of 40 meters/130 feet. Technical divers can access underwater caves and other locations that aren't accessible by recreational diving.

Sidemount rigs also include tank bands, clips, bungees, and likely some more to store your regs. The clips are attached to your harness. Also, their position will affect the position of your tanks.

Do rebreathers actually work
Do rebreathers actually work

Interested in becoming a Sidemount diver? You have come to the right place as this post is all about the nitty-gritty of what is involved!

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.

What should you not do after scuba diving

Be aware of what you're paying: All prices include instruction and eLearning. The cost of eLearning by itself can range from $140 to $280. A $640 course purchased from us may cost you the same as $500 from someone else, if you need to pay for elearning separately.

Certificate cards: These are issued only to those who have earned them. Certification is not guaranteed by simply taking part in a course. Multiple training agencies might offer certification cards for cave courses. C-cards usually cost about $30, depending on which agency you choose. Talk to your instructor for details.

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Frequently Asked Questions

from 170 to 350 feet
While conventional scuba diving has a recommended maximum depth of 130 feet, technical divers may work at depths ranging from 170 feet to 350 feet, and sometimes even deeper.

5-6 days
Rebreather training classes are typically 5-6 days long, but can be longer depending on a variety of factors such as the training agency, your local conditions, your instructor, and your ability to meet the class standards.

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.