International Training is the parent organization of Technical Diving International and Scuba Diving International. They offer both the SDI and TDI versions for their Sidemount Diver course. Both courses are similar. Both courses use the same learning materials (which we also wrote). What's the difference between them?
Interested in becoming a Sidemount diver? You have come to the right place as this post is all about the nitty-gritty of what is involved!
New gear means new techniques. Sidemount diving, even if it's simple, requires some new skills (easily learned).
Sidemount diving is a great way to get additional air. There are two tanks that you use, one tank with an SPG and the other with regulators. This makes it safer and gives air-hogs like me a lot more air. Sidemount also makes diving extremely easy, since you can simply put tanks on top and there isn't any pressure on your spine.
You may also be interested in the PADI tec Sidemount Diving Course.
Sidemount and technical were my first courses. Sidemount diving involves placing your tanks in your hands. I was so numb that my fingers and knuckles had been cut by the end. The idea is to take the tanks off of your hands and let them flow out in front. After making adjustments to the harness's size, the afternoon dive went much easier. I was now able to unclip the harness and 'Superman' with the tanks. Sidemount provides an amazing degree of freedom. Matt installed obstacle courses, and we soon found ourselves flying around them while holding tanks at our feet. We also tried barrel-rolling and swimming upside down.
It doesn't matter if you get your news from television, magazines, or a friend, diving under the sea is exciting and fascinating. How can we continue to explore? What is technical diving?
Skills (general) – The introductory tech diver will practice their trim and buoyancy with the new equipment configuration. This builds the foundation of efficient diving. Once the foundation is there the student can practice locomotion and move on to more advanced skill practice.
An Open Water Diver is all you need to get started in Sidemount diving. It is important to have good buoyancy, trim, and be able set up your equipment and manage it yourself. Sidemount diving can bring a new dimension to your equipment setup and skills.
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.
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Because single orifice duals and backmounted independencies are less common today, backmounted doubles became popular. Independents have two cylinders strapped to the back of one another with independent regulators. If the 1st stage failed, the diver would only need one cylinder. Single orifice twos were two cylinders that were connected with a regulator and a valve. A failure on the first stage would result in gas loss. Both problems are solved by the isolation manifold doubles that are used today. Each cylinder may be used independently. But, divers can also use the same regulator to breathe gas from both. These doubles are often held together by metal bands. If necessary, the valves can be connected to an isolation manifold. Backmounted doubles diving has a similar profile to regular single-cylinder dives. However, the profile is vertically identical.
Technical divers are able to explore wrecks and reefs at depths that are below the recreational limit of 30 m/130 ft. Specialized training allows them to explore underwater caves, and other places that are beyond the reach of recreational diving.
With most agencies you can choose between recreational Sidemount and technical Sidemount. The prerequisites for example with SDI and TDI are the same but the tec Sidemount course will add more skills. It will also ask more of you in terms of mastering them – perfect trim and keeping still and leveled during your skills is a must!
2-3 hours
Even with small cylinders, you can usually dive for 2-3 hours (rebreathers typically have two 2/3l cylinders or one 3/5l cylinder).