TDI Sidemount Diver

TDI Sidemount Diver with Tech Asia

Whilst the sidemount configration was developed to help in certain types of cave where backmounted diving was a problem, it has become a popular configuration in open water as well. TDI Sidemount Diver can be taken either as a stand-alone course or in conjunction with one of TDI’s other open circuit technical specialties such as Advanced Nitrox & Decompression Procedures, Trimix, Advanced Trimix, or Advanced Wreck. If this course is combined, the requirements for both courses must be met.

Prerequisites

Must be at least 18 years of age.
Minimum certification of SDI Open Water Diver or equivalent.

Program Content and Limits

A minimum of three training dives.
A minimum of two days is required.
No dives deeper than the students previous level of certification.

What You Will Learn

During TDI Sidemount training the topics you'll be covering on land and in water will include :

Equipment set up, options and considerations.
Gas matching procedures to include dissimilar volumes and independent cylinders.
Communication by light and hand signals.
Gas failures and sharing.
Entanglement, self rescue and problem solving.
Sidemount specific S-Drills.
Demonstrate various propulsion techniques: frog kick, modified frog kick, modified flutter kick, backwards kick, helicopter turns, and hand pulling if appropriate for the environment.
Cylinder handling skills, unclipping and attaching ctlinders, gas switches etc.
Managing extra cylinders.

Note: As with other TDI programs, the diver must complete and pass the written examination, complete all in water requirements efficiently and safely, and demonstrate mature and sound judgement in dive planning and execution in order to be certified.

Equipment, Materials, What's included?

You will find details of what is included and not included across all TDI courses on the Overview page, If the student is making technical dives during Sidemount training, such is if taken in combination with a higher level course, any Helium used is not included.

Either a printed manual is available for this course, or the eLearning option is now also available.

TDI SIDEMOUNT DIVER Learn Sidemount techniques as an alternative to back mounted diving.