TDI Sidemount Diver Course
The Side-mount Fundamentals course introduces students to the world of side-mount and technical diving.
This course is designed to teach certified divers how to safely utilise side- mounted primary cylinders as an alternative to the traditional back-mounted configuration and as an introductory
course to the TDI Advanced Nitrox course, the TDI Decompression Procedures Course and other technical diving.
The objective of this course is to familiarise students with the side-mount system along with various equipment configurations, to enhance diving skills (such as buoyancy, trim, and situational awareness), to train divers in the theory and practice of dive planning and gas management; and to provide divers with aspirations for more advanced diver training with the tools and knowledge that will contribute to their success.
Who Is This TDI Course For:
- SDI or TDI divers looking to develop skills in the water and learn better diving techniques
- Certified divers looking to advance into technical diving and explore more gear setup options
Course Prerequisites
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Minimum Certification: SDI Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent
What You Can Expect To Learn:
- The TDI Sidemount Diver course covers these topics in detail and much more!
- Gas matching methods, including different sized cylinders
- Gas control using separate cylinders
- Mental focus and safety thinking in technical diving
Equipment Knowledge, Including:
- Equipment considerations
- Dive tables
- Diving procedures
- Descent considerations
- Ascent considerations
- Technical dive support
- Navigation
Proper Gear Setup
Advanced Gas Physics, such as:
- Pressure review
- Formulas for solving dive planning problems, maximum operating depth (MOD), best mix, and more
Required Skills You Will Demonstrate Include:
Before open water dives, you practice skills until they feel natural:
- Perform various swimming styles such as frog kick, modified frog kick, modified flutter kick, backward kick, helicopter turn, and hand pull when location permits
- Use of arms or legs Demonstrate good buoyancy control by remaining stable in the water without getting caught
- Demonstrate good trim by maintaining proper body position during descent, landing and ascent
- Demonstrate safe gas control in a separate cylinder
- Demonstrate care, awareness and back-reference skills
- Inflate and release lift bag
- Carrying additional cylinders is optional on this course
Use The Following Skills In The Water While Maintaining:
- Remove and attach sidemount cylinder
- Change gas with and without mask
What’s In It For You?
After successfully completing this course, you can dive sidemount without direct instructor assistance if you follow these rules:
- Dives remain close to what you practiced in training
- Dive locations remain the same as your training areas
- Dive plans remain within your current certification limits
TDI Sidemount Diver Minimum Certification Requirements:
- Complete all land and water skills safely and correctly
- Exhibit smart and responsible thinking during dive planning and execution
- Respect nature and maintain a strong awareness of the environment
- Record all training dives in your logbook
How To Take This Course:
- Find an instructor teaching this course
- Click here to find a TDI Dive Center near you!
Are You Ready to Change How You Dive ?
The TDI Tech Sidemount Course at Blue Water Ascent is not just a certification.
It is the start of a better diving future.
You will not just use sidemount.
You will become a sidemount diver.
Contact Blue Water Ascent and begin your sidemount journey today.
Train with experienced TDI professionals.
Dive with real freedom and control.
