How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver License

How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver Job Description

Sidemount diving originated in cave diving, but it has made its way to recreational and non-overhead diving in recent years. You will now wear your tanks side-by-side, instead of having one or two tanks attached to your back. You can attach the tanks to your Sidemount BCD using clips or bungee cords. This allows for extreme flexibility. This flexibility was initially what allowed cave divers to remove their tanks underwater in order to fit into narrow spaces and make their profile smaller.

You may also be interested in the PADI tec Sidemount Diving Course.

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.

Despite the gear choice the entry level tech diver will be taught to streamline their equipment to prevent dangling items and drag. This ensures a maximized profile for efficient propulsion and awareness.

How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver 200 Feet

Sidemount Diver Specialty dives may count toward Advanced Open Water Diver certification. Ask an instructor.

Skills (generally applicable) - The introductory tech dive will practice their buoyancy and trim with the new equipment configuration. This will help you to dive efficiently. Once this foundation has been established, students can practice locomotion to improve their skills.

How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver 200 Feet
How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver Rider

How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver Rider

I have just arrived in Malapascua Island on the Philippines. Over the next two months, I will work my way to becoming a Tec dive instructor. I've been a recreational dive instructor in Bali for two years. I would like to add more experience to my portfolio. Sidemount PCB was my first experience with technical diving. Tom West (PADI instructor-trainer) made me a certified Tec-50 diver.

You don't need to worry about how all this will work. The course includes learning how to set-up your Sidemount equipment, as well as how to measure and adjust clips and bungees so that your tanks are in perfect trim. You will have your instructor to assist you in all aspects.

Padi Sidemount Course Cost

Gear - While all gear is identical, divers in their introductory tech classes (Intro To Tech, Sidemount and CCR Air diluent), will notice some fundamental differences in their configurations. Instead of being split into 2 stages on a single cylinder, the second stages are divided up between two with a separate stage on each. Gas planning becomes more complex and the harnesses are more chrome.

Sidemount Diver Specialty can count towards Advanced Open Water Diver certification. Talk to your instructor about earning credit.

How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver License
How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver 80
How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver 80

Are you interested to become a Sidemount divers? This is the place for you!

Skills (general) – The introductory tech diver will practice their trim and buoyancy with the new equipment configuration. This builds the foundation of efficient diving. Once the foundation is there the student can practice locomotion and move on to more advanced skill practice.

How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver Reddit

You will also learn how to use Sidemount regulators. Usually, you will have one regulator on a long hose as well as one regulator on a short hose with a necklace. Unlike your normal regs, Sidemount regs are also marked so you can easily distinguish which tank you are breathing from. During my training, this included a swivel joint for my short hose regulator. In addition, you will have 2 SPGs – one for each first stage.

Sidemount divers generally use two tanks. But you can use one tank, (I was told it's called monkey), or two tanks for deco dives.

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Frequently Asked Questions

2-3 hours
Even with small cylinders, you can usually dive for 2-3 hours (rebreathers typically have two 2/3l cylinders or one 3/5l cylinder).