Sidemount Diver

You don’t necessarily have to carry your scuba tank on your back to explore the underwater world. Many divers have found that it is more comfortable for them to carry their scuba tank(s) on their side. Sidemount diving offers you more flexibility and options to improve your streamlining. Plus, you don’t have to walk around with heavy scuba tanks on your back – just get in the water, attach your tank(s) and off you go. Does that sound interesting to you? Then sign up for a PADI Sidemount Diving speciality course.

If you are a PADI Open Water Diver and are at least 15 years old, you can take part in a PADI Sidemount Diving speciality course.

What will you learn?

As part of the many benefits of diving with a sidemount configuration, you will learn on one dive in confined water (i.e. in a swimming pool or in a confined and protected area in open water) and three open water dives:

Properly assemble and configure dive equipment for sidemount diving.
Trim your weight system and dive equipment to find the perfect balance underwater.
When carrying two cylinders, switching from one second stage of your regulator to the other second stage to manage your breathing gas supply.
Respond correctly to potential problems when sidemount diving.

Visit your local PADI Dive Centre to register for the course and receive your PADI Sidemount Diver and Tec Sidemount Diver Manual (the course book).

What diving equipment will you use?

You will use your own mask, snorkel, fins and wetsuit. Your PADI Instructor or local PADI Dive Centre staff will explain the equipment you will need for sidemount diving, including a buoyancy compensator or harness configured for sidemount diving and scuba tanks, each with its own regulator and gauge.