PADI Sidemount Diver Course

Find a new and different way to configure your cylinders with the PADI Sidemount Diver course.

Sidemount is a scuba diving equipment configuration which has tanks mounted alongside the diver, below the shoulders and along the hips, instead of on the back. Cave divers initially made this configuration popular as sidemount makes it possible to penetrate into smaller sections of cave and to change tanks more easily. The same benefits for operating in confined spaces were also recognized by divers who conducted technical wreck diving penetrations.

Sidemount is now growing in popularity within the technical diving community for general decompression diving, and is becoming increasingly popular with recreational divers as well.

Sidemount diving offers: 

• An alternative way to streamline in the water 
• Easier equipment transportation when topside 
• Reduced lower back strain  
• A redundant gas supply 
• The ability to monitor all equipment because it is 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 and clip them on and go.

Even beginners can learn the sidemount configuration, and you can easily combine sidemount diving with any other PADI Specialty.

There are two courses available: a recreational and a technical diver course.

Prerequisites: PADI Recreational Sidemount Diver

• PADI Open Water Diver
• Minimum age: 15 years

Prerequisites: PADI Technical Sidemount Diver

• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
• 30 logged dives
• Minimum age: 18 years
• Signed medical
• PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver (recommended)

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