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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whatever configuration a diver chooses there is benefits for each and in different situations each configuration has its up or downside.
Along with the Sidemount equipment that is specialized, you will also need your typical wetsuits, fins, masks, computer, compass, DSMB and other necessary equipment.
To register for the PADI Advanced Rebreather Diver course, you must first: You must be a PADI Open Water Diver, but you must also be a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver to become a PADI Advanced Rebreather Diver. Have at least 30 dives under your belt.