Recreational and Technical Sidemount Diving Coursees on Malapascua Island
Wearing more than one tank has become increasingly popular for technical diving. With the PADI Tec Sidemount Diver course you can apply what you learn to other TecRec courses.
If you’ve looked into technical diving, you realize that tec divers always wear more than one tank. Sidemount is an increasingly popular way to configure multiple cylinders for technical diving. You can enter the world of tec diving with the Tec Sidemount Diver course and apply what you learn to other TecRec courses. Your instructor may offer to integrate this course with the Tec 40, Tec 45 or Tec 50 courses.
If you’re a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, at least 18 years old and have a minimum of 30 logged dives, you qualify to enroll in a Tec Sidemount Diver course. It’s recommended that you also have a PADI Enriched Air Diver certification.
Note that qualifying certifications from other diver training organizations may apply – ask your Tec Sidemount Instructor.
The PADI Recreational Sidemount Course is also available.
Learn to dive in paradise
Programme Overview
A multi-day technical sidemount programme combining the recreational sidemount foundation with full TEC sidemount training and open water TEC dives.
- Duration: 4–5 days
- Recreational Sidemount + TEC Sidemount components
- Pool training + open water TEC dives in sidemount
- All TEC sidemount equipment provided
Course Overview
The programme progresses through three phases:
Recreational Sidemount Foundation
Equipment assembly, cylinder attachment, in-water handling, buoyancy and trim in sidemount configuration. Delivered in pool and shallow open water before progressing to TEC depth and procedures.
TEC Sidemount Theory and Pool Skills
Twin-cylinder configuration for technical diving, valve shutdown procedures, gas planning for two cylinders, regulator failure management, and decompression procedure practice in confined water.
Open Water TEC Dives
Progressively deeper TEC dives at Malapascua’s deep sites in full sidemount configuration. Gas planning, precise buoyancy and trim, decompression management, and failure drills evaluated under instructor supervision across multiple dives.
Study Materials
The programme uses both the PADI Sidemount Diver manual and the PADI TEC Sidemount materials. All course materials are included in the programme price.
A background in basic decompression theory before the course will reduce classroom time and increase your time in the water.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites
PADI Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver certifications (or equivalents) required. EANx (Nitrox) certification required. Minimum age is 18. Minimum 50 logged dives recommended. Previous sidemount experience is helpful but not required.
Download medical exam formYour Instructors
Our technical instructors hold the highest PADI technical certifications and have extensive experience training both recreational and technical sidemount divers at Malapascua and internationally.
Integrating with TEC Depth Progression
The TEC Sidemount programme can be integrated with the PADI TEC 40 course for a combined technical diving package. Ask about scheduling both during the same extended stay on Malapascua.
TEC 45 and TEC 50 follow naturally from TEC 40 for divers committed to the full technical diving pathway.
Combine Courses
The TEC Sidemount programme pairs directly with TEC 40, TEC 45, and TEC 50. Complete the full sidemount and depth progression during an extended stay for a comprehensive technical diving qualification package.
Learn more: PADI TEC Sidemount
See all PADI courses on Malapascua
