TDI 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. This course can be combined with other TDI courses such as: Decompression Procedures, Extended Range, Trimix, Advanced Trimix and Advanced Wreck. If combined the standards for both courses must be met.
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What you can expect to learn
The TDI Sidemount Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more!
- Gas matching procedures to include dissimilar volumes
- Gas management utilizing independent cylinders
- Psychological considerations of technical diving
- Equipment considerations including:
- Cylinder options
- Regulator options
- Buoyancy compensator/harness options
- Proper weighting
- Equipment configurations
- Communication (light and hand signals)
- Problem solving in a sidemount configuration
- Diving in tight or confined spaces
- Conservation
- Water entries/exits
- S-drills specific to sidemount diving
Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:
- Demonstrate various propulsion techniques such as the frog kick, modified frog kick, modified flutter kick, backwards kick, helicopter turns, and hand pulling if appropriate for the environment.
- Demonstrate adequate buoyancy control; ability to hover at a fixed position in water column without moving hands or feet
- Demonstrate adequate trim; ability to maintain proper position during the descent, bottom, and ascent portion of the dive
- Demonstrate the ability to perform the following exercises while maintaining trim and buoyancy in the water column:
- Unclipping and attaching sidemount cylinders
- Perform gas switches with and without a mask
- Demonstrate the ability to safely manage gas in independent cylinders
- Demonstrate conservation, awareness, and back referencing techniques
- Deploy a lift bag
- Carry additional cylinders is optional in this course
Course Equipment Requirements
- Dual cylinders, volume appropriate for planned dive, and student gas consumption
- Two independent first and second stage regulators each with a submersible pressure gauge
- Buoyancy compensator device (BCD) with power inflator appropriate for sidemount configuration
- Exposure suit adequate for diving environment
- Mask and fins
- Dive computer and an additional depth and timing device; backup computer recommended
Course Prerequisites
(these requirements must be met prior to commencement of training):
- Minimum age 18
- Minimum certification of SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, or equivalent
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