TDI Sidemount
Sidemount diving has come a long way from its early origins in cave exploration. Initially developed for navigating tight, confined spaces in underwater caves, this innovative configuration has since evolved into a versatile diving style suitable for a variety of environments. Today, sidemount isn’t just for technical or cave divers—it has found its way into recreational diving, thanks to its flexibility and streamlined design. The ability to mount cylinders along the sides of the body, rather than on the back, has made it an increasingly popular choice for divers seeking enhanced mobility and comfort underwater.
One of the key advantages of sidemount is its customizable nature. Divers can easily adjust their equipment setup to suit their needs, whether they are diving in shallow recreational waters or preparing for deep technical dives. The sidemount configuration also offers superior buoyancy control and reduces drag, allowing for a more efficient and enjoyable dive experience. For divers with physical limitations or those who prefer not to carry the weight of a traditional back-mount cylinder, sidemount presents a more ergonomic alternative, distributing weight more evenly across the body.
As the popularity of sidemount diving grows, so too do the training opportunities available to divers. Specialized courses, like the TDI Sidemount Diving Course, provide comprehensive instruction on how to properly configure and handle sidemount equipment, as well as manage gas supply and maintain buoyancy control. These courses are designed for both technical and recreational divers, allowing them to safely and confidently dive using the sidemount configuration. By mastering these skills, divers can unlock new underwater environments, such as caves, wrecks, and deep-water sites, while enjoying the flexibility that sidemount offers.
For technical divers, sidemount offers distinct advantages in terms of gas management and redundancy. The ability to carry multiple cylinders and access them easily makes sidemount ideal for dives requiring various gas mixes or extended bottom times. It also provides better access to valves and regulators in the event of an emergency, ensuring that divers can respond quickly to any potential issues. This level of control and customization is particularly valuable in challenging environments, where precise equipment handling is critical.
At Dive Subculture Technical Diving, we are proud to offer the TDI Sidemount Diving Course, designed to help divers of all levels master the art of sidemount diving. Whether you’re a recreational diver looking for a more comfortable setup or a technical diver seeking greater control and flexibility, our instructors are here to guide you every step of the way. With expert training and hands-on experience, you’ll be fully equipped to enjoy the many benefits of sidemount diving on your next underwater adventure.
TDI Sidemount FAQs
- The SDI or TDI diver looking to expand their in-water skills and techniques
- The certified diver who has interest in moving forward with technical diving education and expanding their equipment configuration options
- Minimum age 18
- Minimum certification of SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, or equivalent
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
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in sidemount diving activities without direct supervision so long as the following limits are adhered to:
- The diving activities approximate those of training
- The areas of activities approximate those of training
- Planned dives do not exceed diver’s current certification level
- Perform all land drills and dive requirements safely and efficiently
- Demonstrate mature, sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution
- Maintain an appropriate level of awareness and respect for the environment
- Log all training dives
Course Duration - 3 to 4 Days
Academics 2 Sessions
Confined Water 2 Sessions
Open Water 4 Dives
Course Structure
Introduction to Sidemount Diving
- History and development of sidemount diving
- Benefits and applications (recreational, technical, cave, wreck)
Equipment Overview
- Sidemount harness systems: components and configurations
- Cylinder options (aluminum vs. steel)
- Regulators, hoses, and accessories for sidemount diving
- Dive lights and backup equipment considerations
Sidemount Equipment Setup
- Fitting and adjusting the harness
- Proper cylinder rigging and attachment
- Streamlining for optimal buoyancy and trim
- Managing accessories and backup gear
Gas Management in Sidemount
- Gas supply and switching protocols
- Cylinder balancing and consumption monitoring
- Emergency gas management and problem-solving
Buoyancy and Trim Control
- Achieving optimal buoyancy with the sidemount configuration
- Adjusting weights for proper distribution
- Trim adjustments for different environments (cave, wreck, open water)
Dive Planning and Execution
- Sidemount dive planning strategies
- Depth limits, gas supply, and decompression considerations
- Team communication and role assignments
Safety Procedures
- Valve drills and emergency procedures
- Redundancy and equipment failure management
- Buddy systems and rescue techniques in sidemount diving
Environmental Considerations
- Streamlining and protecting sensitive environments
- Techniques for navigating confined spaces (caves, wrecks)
Sidemount in Technical Diving
- Sidemount use in extended-range, decompression, and cave diving
- Benefits of sidemount for technical dives (gas redundancy, maneuverability)
Skills and Techniques Review
- Key sidemount diving skills (cylinder handling, gas switching, trim adjustments)
- Exercises and drills to practice in confined water sessions
These topics will provide a solid theoretical foundation for students before moving into the practical and in-water sessions of the course.
- Equipment Setup and Adjustment
- Donning and doffing the sidemount harness and cylinders in water
- Properly rigging and securing cylinders for streamlining
- Adjusting the harness for comfort and maintaining trim in water
- Buoyancy Control and Trim
- Achieving neutral buoyancy in the sidemount configuration
- Maintaining proper horizontal trim with sidemounted cylinders
- Adjusting weights and equipment for optimal balance
- Cylinder Handling and Gas Management
- Cylinder switching procedures (primary to secondary cylinder)
- Gas supply monitoring and balancing between tanks
- Removing and reattaching cylinders underwater (for practice or in case of restrictions)
- Valve Management and Problem Solving
- Practice valve drills for easy access to valves and regulators
- Simulating valve failures and resolving issues (e.g., free-flow or regulator failure)
- Managing regulator hose routing to minimize entanglement
- Emergency Procedures
- S-Drills (safety drills) for simulated out-of-gas situations
- Conducting air-sharing exercises with a sidemount buddy
- Switching to backup regulators and managing gas failures
- Finning Techniques and Streamlining
- Mastering different finning techniques (frog kick, flutter kick, back kick) for efficient movement
- Minimizing drag and streamlining body and gear for effective propulsion
- Maneuvering in confined spaces or around obstacles
- Hovering and Buoyancy Transitions
- Static hovering with sidemounted cylinders
- Transitioning between horizontal and vertical positions while maintaining buoyancy
- Hovering during gas switch drills and valve drills
- Cylinder Removal and Reattachment (Optional for Advanced)
- Removing and reattaching cylinders underwater to simulate cave restrictions or wreck penetrations
- Managing buoyancy and trim during cylinder removal and reattachment
- Deploying and Stowing Long Hose
- Practicing long-hose deployment and stowage with sidemount regulators
- Efficiently handling long hoses in emergency situations (e.g., gas sharing)
- Post-Dive Equipment Management
- Exiting the water with sidemount gear (cylinders removal and handling in water)
- Conducting post-dive equipment checks and de-rigging sidemount setup
Demonstrate various propulsion techniques: Execute frog kick, modified frog kick, modified flutter kick, backward kick, helicopter turns, and hand-pulling (when appropriate to the environment).
Demonstrate adequate buoyancy control: Maintain a fixed hover position in the water column without the use of hands or feet.
Demonstrate proper trim: Maintain an appropriate position throughout the descent, bottom phase, and ascent of the dive.
Demonstrate ability to perform exercises while maintaining trim and buoyancy:
a. Unclip and reattach sidemount cylinders.
b. Perform gas switches, both with and without a mask.Demonstrate safe gas management: Effectively manage gas in independent cylinders.
Demonstrate environmental awareness: Apply conservation techniques, awareness, and back-referencing.
Deploy a lift bag: Safely deploy and manage the lift bag.
Carry additional cylinders (optional): Manage the handling and use of additional cylinders if applicable.
Equipments Required (All Technical Courses)
- Primary and Secondary Regulators (Depends on Configuration)
- Technical Back-mount BCD (Wing & Bladder) or a Technical Sidemount Harness
- Primary Mask + Back Up Mask
- Wet Notes and/or Slates
- One Lift Bag and/or SMB
- Dive Computer and Timing Device/or Backup Computer
- Decompression Regulator(s)
- Reels and Spools
- Compass
- Torch and Back Up Torches
- Exposure Protection 3mm/5mm or Dry Suit
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