PADI Sidemount Diver

Take the load off! Find a new and different way to configure your cylinders with the PADI Sidemount Diver course. Sidemount diving offers:

• An alternative way to streamline in the water

• Easier equipment transportation when topside

• Reduced lower back strain

• Redundant gas supply

• Ability to monitor all equipment because it’s in front of you

• Increased gas supply for longer dives

Because you are able to move the cylinder from your back to your side, it instantly takes the pressure off of your back and gives you more flexibility to move and enjoy your dive. Plus, you don’t have to walk to the dive site with the cylinders on your back. You can enter the water, clip them on and go.

Course Prerequisites

• PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent

• Minimum age 15

What You Will Learn

Gain the knowledge and skills to safely dive the sidemount gear configuration. During the PADI Sidemount Diver course, you will learn ...

• Benefits of sidemount diving

• Sidemount gear configurations

• Sidemount diving techniques

• Learning how to deal with and avoiding sidemount problems

• Setting up sidemount gear

Performance Requirements

PADI Sidemount Diver specialty course certification training is typically conducted with a classroom & pool session, followed by open water training dives. To achieve certification, you will need to:

• Participate in classroom training session and complete the Sidemount Diver Knowledge Review provided by your instructor.

• Complete a Sidemount Diver confined water (typically a pool) skills orientation dive.

• Complete (3) Sidemount Diver training dives with a PADI Sidemount Diver Instructor.

Course Format

PADI Sidemount Diver specialty courses are typically conducted with classroom session, which includes sidemount gear configuration & set-up, followed by a confined water (pool) dive.

There are three training dives, which are typically conducted at local dive sites. Your three Sidemount Diver specialty training dives can be completed in one day.

Course Schedule & Cost

PADI Sidemount Diver specialty courses are conducted through the dive stores that I work with, including VIP Diving. Please check their websites for the most current PADI Sidemount Diver training schedule and course costs.