Over the years, the popularity of sidemount diving has skyrocketed among divers worldwide. For those unfamiliar with the term, sidemount diving refers to a diving style where the diver carries the tanks at their sides instead of on their back. This article seeks to provide a comprehensive guide on the PADI Sidemount Diver Course, a popular choice for divers wishing to explore the benefits of this alternative equipment configuration.
Delving into Sidemount Diving
Sidemount diving offers a myriad of benefits, making it a compelling choice for both recreational and technical divers. The configuration provides increased flexibility, streamlined options, and reduces strain on the diver’s back, as the heavy cylinders are not carried on the back but clipped on in the water.
Furthermore, sidemount diving boosts the diver’s control and efficiency, promoting better buoyancy control and less energy consumption. This form of diving also provides an added layer of safety with more redundancy and an extended air supply, thereby facilitating longer dives.
The PADI Sidemount Diver Course: An Overview
The PADI Sidemount Diver Course is designed to familiarize divers with this unique style of diving. The primary focus of the course is on mastering the unique equipment needed, configuring it correctly, and learning how to respond to potential issues that may arise during sidemount diving.
Course Prerequisites
Enrollment in the PADI Sidemount Diver Course requires the diver to be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver or hold a qualifying certification from other recognized diver training organizations. The minimum age for course enrolment is 15 years.
Course Structure
The PADI Sidemount Diver Course comprises a series of modules with varying content, including knowledge development, skill practice, and open water dives. The course typically runs over 2-3 days and includes one confined water session and three open water dives.
Independent Study
As part of the course, divers are expected to complete independent study, either through the PADI manual or eLearning. PADI’s eLearning courses online are designed to work seamlessly on various browsers and devices. The convenient online or offline study options make it easy to fit scuba certification into a busy schedule.
At the Dive Shop
After completing the eLearning coursework, divers meet with a highly-trained PADI Instructor for training dives. The first dive is a confined water dive, where divers become familiar with sidemount diving equipment and learn key skills like frog kicking, attaching and removing scuba tanks as they enter and exit the water, and managing breathing gas when wearing two scuba tanks.
Once comfortable with these skills, divers undertake three open water dives to practice new skills, buoyancy control, and problem-solving.
Course Certification
Upon successful completion of the coursework and training dives, divers earn their PADI Sidemount Diver Certification. This certification paves the way for divers to continue on to the Tec Sidemount Diver course, where they can learn additional skills specific to tec diving in sidemount.
Equipment Considerations
Sidemount diving requires specific equipment, including a sidemount harness or buoyancy control device (BCD), two primary regulators (each with its own submersible pressure gauge and inflator hose), and two single cylinders configured for sidemount.
Benefits of the PADI Sidemount Diver Course
The PADI Sidemount Diver Course offers divers a variety of benefits.
Improved Comfort and Control
Sidemount diving provides improved comfort due to the reduced strain on the diver’s back. It also enhances the diver’s control due to the streamlined configuration.
Enhanced Safety
The sidemount configuration provides an increased level of safety due to the redundancy it offers. In the event of equipment failure, having an extra tank can prove invaluable.
Greater Efficiency
Sidemount diving promotes greater efficiency due to the streamlined configuration, which reduces water resistance and thereby conserves energy.
Versatility
The skills learned in the PADI Sidemount Diver Course can be applied to a range of diving situations, making divers more versatile and prepared.
Exploring Further
Upon completion of the PADI Sidemount Diver Course, divers can consider venturing into Tec Sidemount Diving. The Tec Sidemount Diver Course explores additional skills specific to technical diving in sidemount, such as staging and switching deco cylinders.
A Final Word
Sidemount diving offers a unique and rewarding experience that enhances the joy of exploration beneath the water’s surface. The PADI Sidemount Diver Course provides the necessary skills and confidence to dive with a sidemount configuration, opening up new possibilities for underwater adventures.
Whether you’re a recreational diver looking to try something new or a technical diver aiming to expand your skillset, enrolling in the PADI Sidemount Diver Course is a step towards a more flexible, efficient, and enjoyable diving experience.
Dive into the world of sidemount diving and discover a whole new perspective of the underwater world. The water is waiting!
Dive Into New Depths With The Hurghada Sidemount Diver Course
Embarking on a scuba diving adventure is like stepping into an entirely new world of divine beauty and awe-inspiring wonder. Traditional scuba diving involves a configuration where tanks are carried on your back, which, although common, can sometimes be restrictive and uncomfortable for certain divers. The Hurghada Sidemount Diver Course offers a refreshing alternative, promising a more comfortable and streamlined experience.
Sidemount Diving: A Revolutionary Approach
Sidemount diving is a style that attaches the tanks to the sides of the diver, reducing drag, making it easier for those who may find it challenging to lift or walk with a backmounted tank. This method provides more flexibility and ease, especially for technical divers who need to carry extra cylinders.
The PADI Sidemount Diver Course in Hurghada
In Hurghada, the PADI Sidemount Diver Course is proudly offered by Diving Around. Over a span of two days, the course presents hands-on experience in setting up a sidemount configuration, handling it in the water, and practicing in both confined and open water sessions.
Under the expert guidance of our experienced instructors, you’ll gain the confidence and competence you need to become a certified Sidemount diver.
Prerequisites and Inclusions
To be eligible for the course, you must be at least 15 years old and hold an Open Water Diver certificate.
The course fee of 180€ per student includes:
For an additional fee of 60€, you can have access to all the necessary equipment.
Equipment Rental
Diving Around offers a wide range of equipment for rent,
including compasses, wetsuits, masks & snorkels, cameras, regulators, dive computers, and various sizes of footwear and fins.
The Diver Course Experience
Learning how to use and handle more than one tank while diving, you’ll master the skill of maintaining good buoyancy and accessing caves. With the PADI Sidemount specialty diving course in Hurghada, the concern of air supply scarcity is a thing of the past.
Duration and Description
The course spans two days, with four dives in total. Sidemount specialty will equip you with the knowledge to mount cylinders to your sides,
offering you the freedom to move freely underwater.
Course Schedule and Price
The course is priced at 180 € for one person, with additional charges
for the PADI Manual, PADI Online Certification Card, and Diving equipment. Marine Park fees are also applicable.
Bonus: Luxurious Diving With Xdeep Equipment
All dives are conducted using our new and luxurious Xdeep equipment. You can explore amazing dive sites while learning and enjoying the fantastic marine life in Hurghada.
We pride ourselves in providing top-notch courses, and we’re always ready to help improve your diving skills. If you’re interested, we also offer discounts when booking two or more courses.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to take your diving to the next level, join us at Diving Around in Hurghada for an unforgettable Hurghada Sidemount diving experience. Dive into an adventure of a lifetime and explore the underwater world like never before.
“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”
– Jacques Yves Cousteau
