PADI SIDEMOUNT
Course Overview
Want to perfect your buoyancy, reduce back strain, and enjoy longer dives? The PADI Sidemount Diver course is the answer for anyone seeking greater flexibility and comfort. Originally developed for cave diving, this configuration has revolutionized recreational diving.
Why sidemount? Your advantages at a glance:
Perfect trim & hydrodynamics: The lateral position of the bottles allows you to lie as flat as a board in the water. Your water resistance decreases, your efficiency increases.
Maximum comfort: Never again heavy tanks on your back! Sidemount diving is ideal for divers with back problems and makes entering the water (e.g. from a boat) much easier on the back.
Increased safety: You have direct access to your valves and regulators. Furthermore, two cylinders double your gas reserve for extended exploration trips.
Flexibility: Whether it's narrow passages or technical diving – with sidemount you're ready for any scenario.
What you will learn in the course
1. Equipment configuration & setup
Sidemount diving is very individual. You'll learn how to perfectly adjust the harness and wing system to your body. This includes correctly positioning the tanks (bungees and clips) so they lie perfectly streamlined at your sides.
2. Perfect buoyancy and trim
One of the biggest advantages: You'll learn how to achieve a horizontal body position ( trim ) in the water, which is almost impossible with a back-mounted tank. We'll work on your fine-tuning so you glide effortlessly through the water.
3. Gas management with two bottles
Since you'll be diving with two independent air sources, you'll learn how to correctly switch between regulators . The goal is to keep the pressure in both cylinders even throughout the dive to maintain a balanced body position in the water.
4. Safety procedures & problem solving
You will train specific techniques that are important in sidemount diving:
Valve management: Since the valves are located directly under your arms, you will learn how to close them extremely quickly yourself in case of a blow-off.
Out-of-Air Scenarios: How to give gas to your buddy or receive gas yourself in this configuration.
Bottle handling: Putting the bottles on and taking them off in the water (practical for boat launches or shallow shore areas).
5. Advanced finning techniques
The improved trim allows you to use techniques like the frog kick or the backwards kick much more effectively, which is a huge advantage, especially near sensitive reefs or in narrow passages.
Length of time
2 days
theory
eLearning
Dives
4
our range
PADI SIDEMOUNT COURSE
Inclusive
Prerequisites: PADI Open Water Diver
Duration: 2 days
Included: eLearning, diving equipment, licensing fees
Price
€420.00
DISCOVER SIDEMOUNT
Inclusive
- 1 dive
- Sidemount equipment
- PADI Dive Instructor
Price
€90.00
Course schedule
theory
You can complete the PADI Sidemount Diver theory course from the comfort of your own home. On-site, we'll then review the most important points together and answer any remaining questions.
underwater
The PADI Sidemount Diver course consists of one dive in confined water and two dives in the ocean.
Start with the diving theory now!
Get started with PADI eLearning
With the PADI eLearning® system, you can start the theoretical part of the course right away and work at your own pace. This convenient, interactive learning option allows you to learn anytime, anywhere you have an internet connection.
After completing your eLearning program, you can start the practical part of the course directly with us (or at any other PADI dive center worldwide). We will deduct the amount you paid for the practical part from your course fee.
