SDI Sidemount

This course is designed to teach certified divers how to safely utilize sidemounted primary cylinders as an alternative to the traditional back-mounted configuration. The course is strictly non-decompression with a maximum depth limit of 40m/130ft, or within the limit of the student’s current certification, whichever is shallower.

What you can expect to learn

The SDI Sidemount Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Gas management utilizing independent cylinders
• Equipment considerations
  • Cylinder options
  • Regulator options
  • Buoyancy compensator device (BCD)/harness options
  • Proper weighting
  • Equipment configurations
• Communication
  • Hand signals
• Problem solving
  • Gas-sharing
  • Gas hemorrhages
• Water entries
  • Shore
  • Boat
• S-Drills (specific to sidemount)

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• Plan dive
• Test and check all equipment (depth gauges, bottom timers/watches and computers)
• Familiarization with area
• Descend to planed depth and not exceed any pre-planned limits
• Demonstrate the ability to safely manage gas in independent cylinders
• Monitor depth/time/air consumption, figure all times on slate
• Demonstrate ability to control buoyancy
• Attaching sidemount cylinders while
  • Out of water
  • On surface standing on bottom
  • On surface in water to deep to stand
  • At depth
• Perform gas switches
• Perform safety stops

Course Equipment Requirements

• Cylinder(s), volume appropriate for planned dive, and student gas consumption
• Regulators appropriate for the cylinder configuration with a pressure gauge on each first stage and a total of two second stages
• Buoyancy compensator device (BCD) with power inflator appropriate for sidemount configuration
• Exposure suit adequate for diving environment
• Mask and fins
• Dive computer
• Compass
• Rescue signal

Course Prerequisites

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent.