I don't know why or when I made the decision to take the Sidemount course. As with most of my diving decisions this was an easy decision. Sidemount certification would help me do proper cave diving, which I knew I wanted.
Gear – While the gear is fundamentally the same, divers in their introductory tech class (Intro to Tech, Sidemount or CCR Air diluent) will notice some fundamental configuration differences. Instead of 2 second stages on one cylinder they’re split between two, with a separate first stage on each. Gas planning becomes an in-depth thorough process and the harnesses seem to have more chrome.
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.
At first I was not interested in technical diving. I vividly remember chuckling at the Tec divers who I saw and wondering what made them want to take more equipment. I love the sense that you can be close to nature while feeling free and connected. Tom was a well-respected teacher. I felt it only right to give him a try as I was working in a dive shop offering Tec courses.
Know what you're getting. Prices include instruction, eLearning fees and other costs. You should also consider that eLearning costs can vary from $140 to $280. In other words, a course that costs $640 may cost as much as a $500 course you purchase from us if you are required to pay for the elearning separately.
I just arrived on Malapascua Island (Philippines) and will soon be working my path to becoming a Tec instructor. I've been working as a recreational instructor at Bali for the past two-years and would love to grow my professional experience. Sidemount PCB gave me my first taste in technical diving. Tom West was the PADI course director, and Tec instructor-trainer. He made me into a PADI Tec-50 diver.
2 first stage regulator, 2 second stage regulator, exposure suit with side pockets, BCD sidemount, SMB, cutting tool, diving spool, Jet fins, mask and another spare mask, technical diving equipments, 1 long hose (2.10m - 7ft), hogarthian or cave harness.
Divers using decompression oxygen mix all types can extend their time looking at wrecks or reefs on the oceanfloor. The sport diver may be limited to two short dives at 100ft. A decompression diver can cruise the seas for 60 minutes or longer, getting more bang for his buck.
Decompression divers may add Helium into their cylinders to make deep dives over 130ft. Sometimes they are less likely to visit wrecks or reefs than astronauts to reach the moon every year.
These are the options for you if you're looking for alternative diving lessons and classes, or if you want to find out what next steps should be taken.
Backmounted doubles were created in response to problems with single orifice and backmounted independences. Independents consist of two cylinders, each with its own regulator. The diver could only use one cylinder if a first stage failed. Single orifice duals consisted of two cylinders linked by a valve. One regulator was used for the first stage. The gas would not be released if the first stage failed due to a failure of one orifice doubles. Both of these problems have been eliminated by today's isolated manifold duplicates. Each cylinder is capable of being worked separately, but the diver can use one regulator to allow him or her to inhale gas directly from both cylinders. This type of doubles is usually held together using metal bands. Additionally, the valves are linked by an isolation manifold which allows the two to be separated as needed. Backmounted doubles diving looks similar to regular single cylinder backmounts, but it has a profile that is vertically identical.
You are interested in becoming Sidemount Diver? This article will provide all the information you need about what it takes to become a Sidemount diver.
Learn our SSI technical sidemount diver course and get the opportunity to dive with four+ tanks (cylinders) for extended dives. The technical sidemount diver course is an excellent way to get yourself into technical diving as it will train you to handle multiple cylinders on a single dive. Learn also on configuring your sidemount gear and setting up a tec sidemount harness as well as adjusting the sling tanks (cylinders) on your body.
Your Sidemount BCD is a harness equipped with a bladder. It also has a system of sliding Drings, bungee chords, clips, and other intricate features. The fit and position of your tank are critical for how your tank looks and is trimmed later in the water. Your instructor might spend quite a while to make sure you have them exactly right.
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.
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.
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.