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This course is designed to teach certified divers how to safely utilize side-mounted 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.
Qualifications of Graduates
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in sidemount diving activities without direct supervision provided the following limits are adhered to:
1. Safety and decompression stops as appropriate or necessary
2. Planned dives do not exceed diver’s current certification level
Student Prerequisites
2. Be a minimum age of 18
3. Have a minimum certification of an SDI Open Water Scuba Diver or the equivalent
Required Skill Performance and Graduation Requirements
The following land drills must be covered during this course:
1. Land drills may be performed at the instructor’s discretion.
Pre-dive drills:
1. Use START before every dive *START is an acronym for S-drill (Out of Gas drill and Bubble Check), Team (buddy equipment checks), Air (gas matching), Route (entry/exit and planned path underwater, Tables (depth, duration, waypoints and schedule)
2. Stress analysis and mitigation
The student must perform the following in-water skills during dives:
1. Demonstrate various propulsion techniques (frog kick, modified frog kick, modified flutter kick, backwards kick, helicopter turns, and hand pulling if appropriate for the environment)
2. Demonstrate adequate buoyancy control (ability to hover at fixed position in water column without moving hands or feet)
3. Demonstrate adequate trim (ability to maintain proper position during the descent, bottom and ascent portion of the dive)
4. Demonstrate the ability to perform the following exercises while maintaining trim and buoyancy in the water column:
a. Unclipping and attaching sidemount cylinders
b. Perform gas switches with and without a mask
5. Demonstrate the ability to safely manage gas in independent cylinders
6. Demonstrate conservation, awareness, and back referencing techniques
a. Deploy liftbag
b. Carry additional cylinder(s) (optional)
In order to complete this course, students must:
1. Perform all land drills and dive requirements safely and efficiently
2. Demonstrate mature, sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution
3. Maintain an appropriate level of awareness and respect for the environment
4. Log all dives
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