PREREQUISITES

 

Open Water Diver or equivalent.  Minimum age 15 years

Side mount Diver

$INQUIRE

"good divers never stop learning"

 

This course is designed to teach certified divers how to safely utilize side-mounted primary cylinders as an alternative to the traditional back-mounted configuration. 
The course is geared solely to open water, non-decompression diving and is designed for any diver interested in learning to dive a sidemount configuration.
Motivations for Sidemount

  • Additional tool
  • Streamlined, less drag
  • Lower profile for confined spaces
  • Easy Trim
  • Adjust gear to body shape
  • Independent dbl cyls allow for gas redundancy w/o X-over valve
  • X-over valve is vulnerable to impacts and thus potential failure pt.
  • Leaks easily detected, valves in-sight and accessible
  • Range of head motion increased
  • Tanks easily attached and removed in h2o, enter or exit H2with or without tanks
  • Tanks more manageable to and from dive site

Qualifications after certification

  • Upon successful completion of the Sidemount course, graduates may engage in sidemount diving activities with maximum two (2) independent tanks without direct supervision.

Open Water Training 

  • A maximum of 4 students per Instructor
  • Instructor’s discretion to reduce this number as conditions dictate

Number of Dives and Course Duration

  • Two (2) dives are required with complete briefs and debriefs by the instructor
  • Minimum one (1) day

The following topics will be covered during this course:

  • Gas management utilizing independent cylinders
  • Equipment considerations
  • Cylinder options
  • Regulator options
  • Wing / harness options
  • Proper weighting
  • Equipment configurations
  • Communication
  • Problem solving
    • Gas-sharing
    • Free flows
  • Appropriate entries and exit
  • S-Drills (specific to sidemount)

In order to complete this course, students must:

  • Pass exam with 75% or better
  • Perform all open water dive requirements safely and efficiently 
  • Demonstrate mature, sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution 
  • Log all dives

Experience the other two thirds

​

 

Complete the form below and a qualified staff member will contact you directly to discuss your experience and enroll you in our available class schedule.

When are classes?

Check out our calendar

Store Hours:Monday - Thursday 11-6; Friday 11-5; Sat 10-4; Closed Sundays and major holidays

Experience the world below