How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver Gear

Sidemount cylinder mounting was first used for cave diving. It has since become more popular in technical diving. They take the dual cylinders apart, one for each, and place them on either side. The diver can't breathe from either cylinder if the regulator fails, but this allows for easier access to valves. Sidemount diving gives the diver an increased horizontal profile and a smaller vertical profile.

Technical divers dive at depths less than the recreational limit of 40 meters/130 feet. Technical divers can access underwater caves and other locations that aren't accessible by recreational diving.

SDI/TDIIncludes 2 open water divesMinimum 18 years, 15 years with parental consentMust have an SDI Open Water Diver or the equivalent

For dives past 130ft decompression divers blend some Helium into their cylinders and dip into the realm of the rarely seen. The reefs and wrecks they experience are sometimes visited less frequently in a year than astronauts to the moon.

You will also find tank bands, clips and possibly some additional bungees in your Sidemount rig to store your regs. Your harness will have clips that attach to it. Their position is critical for your tanks.

Items such as cylinders and primary lights, which my be difficult to travel with, are available for rental. Be sure to alert us if you will need any of these.