How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver Harness

Decompression

International Training, parent organization to Technical Diving International / Scuba Diving International (TDI), and Technical Diving International / Scuba Diving International - offers both TDI and SDI versions of the Sidemount Diver course. Both courses have a lot in common. Both courses use identical learning materials (which we also wrote). So, what is the difference?

Sidemount divers typically use two tanks, but you can use just one tank (I was taught it's called "monkey") or more than two tanks to do deco dives.

Tec Divers —

While I still haven’t perfected this art, I am proud that after 20 Sidemount divers I can call myself a Sidemount Diver. It is the most comfortable way of diving!

Despite the gear choice the entry level tech diver will be taught to streamline their equipment to prevent dangling items and drag. This ensures a maximized profile for efficient propulsion and awareness.

Tdi Sidemount

The very general definition of technical diving is to be exposed to a ceiling that does not allow a diver to ascend to the surface at any moment of the dive. This might be due to a real ceiling, in terms of a cave or a wreck, or a virtual ceiling created by a decompression obligation. In this case, by exceeding the NDL’s, mandatory decompression stops have to be performed on ascent in order to avoid any case of decompression sickness. In most cases this requires the use of special equipment, e.g. Twinsets or Sidemount, special gas mixes and of course additional training to be able to perform those stops accurately on ascent to optimize off-gassing of Nitrogen.

The Sidemount diving setup differs from that used for backmount diving.

Tdi Sidemount
How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver Carrier

How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver Carrier

If you will not be using sidemount during your cave diver training, what you should be looking at is our CDS Basics Orientation course.

Although I'm still learning, Sidemount diving is something I feel confident in. I have done 20 Sidemount dives and I can proudly say I'm a Sidemount diver.

Scuba Sets

The following options are available for those looking for diving classes alternatives and lessons, as well as information on the best next steps in their education.

Divers using decompression oxygen mix all types can extend their time looking at wrecks or reefs on the oceanfloor. The sport diver may be limited to two short dives at 100ft. A decompression diver can cruise the seas for 60 minutes or longer, getting more bang for his buck.

Sidemount Bcd
Sidemount Bcd

Technical diving is great fun, but it isn't recommended for anyone looking to dive deeper. Cave and deep diving pose a higher risk. It is possible to mitigate this risk through careful dive planning and training. Divemasters performing these dives will be held to a high standard. It will take practice and hard work to become a technical diver. The only way to improve your water time is through research and reading. Divers will often notice that the minimum standards of diving are often exceeded in training courses. Technical instructors can often exceed these minimum standards. Technical training helps to teach diver redundancy. While it may sound scary and difficult, it is necessary to dive in such an environment. Technical training is fun, challenging and gives you the chance to see places in the world that are closed to others.

SDI/TDI Includes 2 open water divesMinimum age 18 years, minimum 15 years with parental consent. Must have an SDI Openwater Diver or the equivalent

Rebreather

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Are you interested in becoming a Sidemount diver. This post will explain everything you need to know about becoming a Sidemount diver.

How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver Harness
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Frequently Asked Questions

According to experts, approximately 40% of technical divers enroll in additional education and training programs. This yields a reasonable estimate of approximately 160,000 active technical divers worldwide.

from 170 to 350 feet
While conventional scuba diving has a recommended maximum depth of 130 feet, technical divers may work at depths ranging from 170 feet to 350 feet, and sometimes even deeper.

The depth range of oxygen rebreathers (simple closed circuit) is limited to approximately 6 m, beyond which the risk of acute oxygen toxicity rises to unacceptable levels very quickly.