Side-mount diver

The Course

When 1 tank isn’t enough, Side-mount once a very specialized tool of extreme cave exploration has become a fun mainstream gear configuration. Whether you are looking to begin technical diving or take advantage of the comfort of side-mounting your tanks the PADI Side-mount Course is the ideal introduction to this popular specialty. All of our Side-mount instructors are also Cave Divers. This ensures only the highest standards for our students.

Requirements

  • Open Water Diver
  • Age 15 or older

​The Learning

Your training starts by completing the eLearning for Side-mount then a comprehensive gear configuration session with your instructor. There is a confined water session that will introduce skills, fine tune configuration and address any issues. Finally the open water sessions will ensure you have mastery of the skills and you will be given a chance to develop a practice routine to keep improving even after your course is completed.

​You may be able to get college credit for the Side-Mount Diver course. Also, the first dive of this course may credit as an Adventure Dive toward your Advanced Open Water Diver certification – ask us about earning credit.

Pricing

​$500 per person

​Course tuition includes:

  • PADI Recreational Side-mount eLearning Course
  • Instructional dives with our professional crew*
  • Certification processing
  • Certification card

​*Scuba park admission, air fills, and scuba equipment rental are not included.

​Get Started

​Stop by or call us to enroll in the course to get the PADI Side-mount eLearning. By studying before the dives, you’ll be better prepared to start practicing your side-mount diving skills when you go diving with your Instructor.

​The Gear

​You will need the following gear for side-mount diving.

  • Side-mount BCD *please speak with our instructional staff about choice before purchase. There are some sidem-mount BCDs that are not supported as they are not considered an appropriate.
  • Side-mount Regulators, 2 DIN Regulators 1 with a short hose/necklace and 1 with a long-hose configuration. SPGs on 6” HP hoses are preferred but transmitters are acceptable from some manufacturers. Swivel turret Regulators are much preferred for streamlining. An appropriate low-pressure inflator hose on the short hose.
  • Wrist mounted dive computer
  • Butt-mounted pouch or thigh pockets
  • Wrist slate or wetnotes
  • Appropriate blade style fins. No Split-fins.
  • 2 matching cylinders with DIN or Pro-style valves with a left and right configuration
  • 2 hose clamps for cylinder attachment
  • 2 large bolt-snaps
  • 1 small bolt-snap
  • 4 double ender snaps
  • 2 hose retaining bands

​The Next Step

​With your PADI Side-mount Diver Course you are well on your way to entering the realm of overhead diving and technical training. You may want to expand your diving skills even more with the Wreck, Cavern, or Tec40 courses. Ask your instructor or divemaster, stop by, or give us a call for more details.