Sidemount Diver

Description

The Sidemount course introduces recreational certified divers to the skills, planning, procedures and particular technique to use the single or two-cylinder recreational sidemount dive style.

What you learn

This course is mainly aimed at teaching personal skills. It concerns setting up the equipment, mastering trim, buoyancy control and propulsion techniques, the gas sharing and the other emergency procedures.

How long does it take

The  Sidemount course is normally conducted over a 4-day period.

Course limits

The maximum depth is 30 m or up to your certification depth, whichever is the deepest – the most restrictive limit applies. Exercises in the water are videotaped so that students can visually check their behaviour and learn to self-assess. Dives with decompression and in obstructed environments (caves or wrecks) are excluded.

What to expect

You get a certification of level equivalent, even in the limits of depth, to that recreational already owned, but extended to a complete two cylinders Sidemount configuration.

Requirements

• Minimum age 16;
• Must be a certified open water diver from a recognized training agency;
• Swim at least 15 meters on a breath hold;
• Swim at least 275 meters in less than 14 minutes without stopping

If you choose to obtain UTD certification, in addition to standard equipment, students must be equipped with the Sidemount UTD Z-System or equivalent.

If you want the SSI Extended Range Sidemount certification, we will also explore necessary techniques to use phase cylinders properly for decompression dives. Maximum depth limit in open water is 40 m or the maximum certification depth of the student, if shallower.  The cost is slightly higher.

 Equipment required

• Complete Sidemount equipment (DIR/UTD style)

Note: we recommend you to bring your own equipment to set up and sizing it its best but at the Argentario Divers you will find all the equipment you need for the course. Before you proceed to purchase the equipment, contact your instructor!

Included: teaching material, equipment rental, certification and 6-8 dives.

Not included: if you choose to obtain UTD certification the teaching material must be purchased on the UTD website.