Whether you seek ultimate freedom underwater or are preparing for cave diving, the Sidemount Diver Certification Course is the perfect course for any diver looking to enhance their diving experience. Many recreational and technical divers have embraced the flexibility and benefits of mounting cylinders on their sides. This configuration not only offers excellent streamlining but also allows for effortless entry into the water without the burden of back-mounted cylinders.
The Sidemount Diver Certification Course teaches you to safely and efficiently use side-mounted primary cylinders, providing an alternative to the traditional back-mounted configuration. This course focuses on techniques and skills that make sidemount diving the ideal choice for those seeking greater freedom and control.
Course Highlights:
- Proper Equipment Configuration: Learn how to assemble and configure sidemount scuba diving equipment, ensuring everything is set up for comfort and safety.
- Trim and Balance: Master the art of trimming your weight system and sidemount gear for optimal buoyancy and perfect balance underwater.
- Gas Management: Understand how to manage gas efficiently by switching second stages as planned during your dives.
- Problem Management: Be prepared to respond to potential problems while diving with a sidemount configuration.
- Surface Marker Buoy / Lift Bag: Learn to deploy SMBs or lift bags for safer surface ascents.
- Water Entries: Gain experience with different water entries while using sidemount equipment.
- Video Feedback: Receive video feedback to refine your trim and positioning.
What to Expect from the Course:
We’ll start by customizing your sidemount rig to fit your body and personal diving style, whether it’s for overhead environments like caves or open water diving. While there are excellent sidemount rigs available today, we’ll make several modifications to ensure the gear is tailored to your specific needs.
Next, we’ll dive into practical skills. We begin in the pool to familiarize you with the gear configuration, followed by three open water dives. During the open water dives, we’ll continue practicing and refining your skills until you’ve mastered all necessary techniques.
Course Prerequisites:
- Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent from any recognized agency).
- Active diver status.
Required Equipment:
- Two single cylinders configured for sidemount (rental tanks available if needed).
- Two primary regulators, each with a dedicated submersible pressure gauge and inflator hose.
- A primary sidemount BCD, such as the Hollis Katana 2 or XDeep Stealth.
- Dive computer (Shearwater Perdix, Teric, Suunto Eon Core, or similar unit capable of gas switching).
Course Includes:
- Sidemount student eLearning course.
- TDI or PADI Sidemount Certification card.
- One weekend format (pool, classroom, and ocean dives).
- Quality, fun, and safe instruction from experienced instructors.
- AL80 rental tanks with DIN valves.
- Boat ticket included for ocean dives.
- Special Offer: This course is FREE (minus the boat ticket) with the purchase of sidemount BC, dual regulator sets, tanks with valves, SPGs, trim weights, and hardware.
Ready to get started? If you’re looking for professional sidemount diver training with the highest standards from agencies like PADI, SDI, and TDI, our course at the Los Angeles Dive Center offers you everything you need to dive safely and efficiently with sidemount gear. Contact us for more information on upcoming courses and special deals.
