Having scuba tanks on your back isn’t a requirement for exploring the underwater world. Many scuba divers have discovered the joy of mounting cylinders on their sides. Sidemount diving gives you flexibility and streamlining options. Plus, you don’t have to walk with heavy cylinders on your back – just enter the water, clip them on and go. Sound interesting? Sign up for the PADI Sidemount Diver Specialty course.
Minimum age: 15 years
Course prerequisites: PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
What will I do?
You will have two days of intense sidemount training to complete. In our fully equipped multi-media classrooms, you will learn about the many benefits of diving with a sidemount configuration. After reviewing the theory with your PADI Instructor, you will practise setting up and diving with a sidemount configuration in our onsite heated training pool.
On the second day, you will then put into practice what you learn in a combination of skills during three open water training dives at a local dive site.
During your programme you will learn how to:
- Properly assemble and configure sidemount scuba diving equipment.
- Trim your weight system and sidemount gear so you’re perfectly balanced in the water.
- Manage gas by switching second stages as planned, if wearing two cylinders.
- Respond correctly to potential problems when sidemount diving
How do I get started?
Just pick your dates if you can and pay your £125 deposit and you will receive your PADI Sidemount Diver eLearning code. Don’t worry if you can’t commit to a date straight away. There are plenty scheduled throughout the year and you can get started on the home study as soon as you have received your PADI Sidemount Diver eLearning.
How long will it take?
The PADI Sidemount Diver Specialty takes place over one weekend. Starting on a Saturday at 9am, you will review the theory sections from the PADI Sidemount Diver course with your PADI Instructor then familiarise yourself with diving with a sidemount configuration in the pool. On the Sunday you will put your skills into practice during three open water training dives.
What will I need?
The PADI Sidemount Diver Specialty is open to all divers over the age of 15 years who hold the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification or equivalent.
Once you have booked onto your PADI Sidemount Diver Specialty you will receive your PADI Sidemount Diver eLearning login to start you on your way. All the standard scuba equipment you need to complete the programme is included. It is always a good move to buy your own dive computer for future dives, however we will supply one for the Sunday if you prefer.
You will need to fill out a self-certification medical statement. If you have any medical conditions that you think may prevent you from scuba diving, please feel free to contact us and we will try to be of assistance.
All the PADI materials and standard scuba equipment needed to complete the programme are included in the cost. You will need to pay for your entry to the open water dive site and any required air fills while away from the centre. This is approximately £30 a day.
Where can I go from here?
Once you have completed your PADI Sidemount Diver Specialty you have started down a road of discovery. With more gas available to extend your bottom time, your next step may be the PADI Deep Diver Specialty and the PADI Enriched Air Diver Specialty.
Once you have completed five PADI specialties, the PADI Rescue Diver course and have 50 logged dives you hold all the prerequisites for the PADI Master Scuba Diver certification. This is the highest non-professional rating in the PADI system of diver education.
Here at Aquasport all our Instructors hold this level of recreational certification. We recommend that every diver takes this route regardless of their further ambitions as we see it as a commitment to education and a real achievement.
