Sidemount Diver Specialty can count towards Advanced Open Water Diver certification. Talk to your instructor about earning credit.
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Each PADI Specialty you take will help you get closer to becoming a Master Scuba Diver(tm).
Sidemount regulators can also be used. One regulator will be on a long length hose, while one regulator will be on a shorter one with a necklace. Sidemount regs have a marked design, which makes it easy to identify the tank you are in. This also included a swivel connector for my short-hose regulator. Two SPGs will be provided - one for each stage.
And then there are the rebreathers…a rebreather is a machine that recycles exhaled gas and is the preferred method for ‘very’ deep dives in order to use the gas carried more efficiently. In this case the exhaled gas is going thru a canister filled with a chemical which is called Sofnolime or scrubber to remove CO2 from the breathing loop and the remaining gas will be inhaled again by the diver. Metabolised oxygen is replaced into the loop to keep the oxygen content in the divers’ body at the desired pressure.
So what are you waiting? Find a TDI instructor near you today: https://www.tdisdi.com/search/?area=instructors
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.