Technical  Sidemount Diving

The PADI TecRec Tec Sidemount Diver course develops the base equipment-related motor skills and underlying knowledge for the use of sidemount in technical diving. Developed for maximum flexibility, the Tec Sidemount Diver course addresses a wide range of divers. Becoming a Tec Sidemount Diver requires you to demonstrate mastery of motor skills and procedures used in different forms of Tec Diving. If you're new to technical diving, you need a base understanding of what technical diving is, and the philosophies you apply as a Tec Diver. Additional Technical training can be achieved through the Tec Basics or Tec 40 courses.

Purpose:

PADI Tec Sidemount course is intended for recreational divers looking for a technical diving transition course.  The equipment requirements are the same as for the Tec Deep Diver Course.   The expectation is that a Tec Sidemount diver plans to conduct their technical dive training in sidemount or are already back mounted technical divers looking to make the transition to sidemount.

 

You'll learn to:

Introduction to Tec Diving in Sidemount Configuration

Tec Diving  Two Cylinder Sidemount

Managing Gas with Stage Cylinders and Decompression Cylinders

Sidemount Diving with Stage Cylinders and Decompression Cylinders

Managing Out-of-Gas Problems with Stage/Deco Cylinders in Sidemount

Sidemount Rigging as well as Rigging for Stage/Deco Cylinders

Replacing a Malfunctioning Regulator

The course will require 2-3 days of diving (including pool and open water sessions), 2-3 academic sessions, and 2 or more equipment configuration sessions.

Prerequisites:

• Certification as PADI Advanced Open Water (or equivalent)
• Minimum age of 18 years old
• Have a minimum of 30 logged dives, of which at least

Duration:

The course will require 2-3 days of diving (including pool and open water sessions), 1-2 academic sessions, and 3 practical application / equipment configuration sessions.

Depth Range:

• Dive 1: Pool - 2 sidemounted main cylinders and practice with 2 stage/deco cylinders
• Dive 2: 20-60 - 2 sidemounted main cylinders
• Dive 3: 20-60 - 2 sidemounted main cylinders
• Dive 4: 30-100 - you will dive with 2 sidemounted cylinders and at least a stage/deco cylinder
• Dive 5: 30-100 - you will dive with 2 sidemounted cylinders and 2 stage/deco cylinder

Requirements:

Each diver will be required to have a complete set of personal dive equipment, including:

• 2 Diving cylinders at least 80 cft for sidemount.
• Primary & secondary regulators for sidemount
  • One with a seven foot hose for air sharing
  • Both with SPGs (Usually with a 6" HP Hose)
  • At least one regulator must have a low pressure inflator for supplying the BCD
• 2 Stage/deco cylinders with regulator, SPG & staging kit
• BCD & harness configured for technical sidemount diving
• Exposure protection (dry suit use requires prior dry suit diving experience)
• Weight system (if needed)
• Lights as necessary, including primary and backup
• Safety reel
• Lift bag (100lbs min)
• Spare clips, pull-ties, tank wrap bands & other rigging accessories

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT CONSIDERATIONS

Equipment provided by SLC Scuba:

• Computer with decompression software
• Oxygen analyzer
• Emergency Oxygen & first aid kit
• Contents labels
• Forms & support materials

Divers will read the appropriate section of their TecRec manual and answer the Knowledge Reviews prior to the practical application portion. A score of at least 80% is required on all exams.