Sidemount Course

TDI Sidemount Course

The TDI Sidemount Course offers you the opportunity to carry your dive tanks on your side – a technique originally from cave diving that has now also proven itself in open water.

What is the TDI Sidemount Course?

The TDI Sidemount Diver Course shows you an alternative way of diving – with two tanks on your side instead of on your back. This configuration offers many advantages: more freedom of movement, better trim, easier access to valves, and a significantly more relaxed water position.

In the course, you will learn step by step:

how to properly configure your sidemount equipment,
how to safely attach and detach your tanks,
how to perfect your trim and buoyancy,
and how to dive safely and efficiently with sidemount in various situations – whether in open water, in a wreck, or later in a cave.

TDI Sidemount Course Outline

Day 1 – Theory & Equipment Workshop

Welcome and Course Overview
Introduction to Sidemount Philosophy: Why Sidemount? Advantages and Applications
Equipment Workshop: Setup, configuration, and adjustment of your sidemount system
Theory Session: Gas Management, Buoyancy, Valve Management
Dry Training: Tank Handling, Valve Drills, Donning and Doffing on Land

Day 2 – Pool or Shallow Water Training

First in-water exercises: Buoyancy, trim, body position
Tank Switching and Valve Management in Water
Gas Sharing in Sidemount Configuration
Simulation of Exit and Emergency Scenarios
Fine-tuning Equipment under Real Conditions

Day 3 – Open Water Dives

Two structured open water dives
Application of All Learned Skills under Real Conditions
Navigation, Tank Handling on the Go, Trim Control
Debriefing & Analysis of Dives
Course Completion & Certification

Prerequisites for the TDI Sidemount Course

You must be at least 18 years old
(or 15 with parental consent)
Minimum OWD certification
Minimum 25 logged dives

Standard Equipment for the TDI Sidemount Course

Sidemount Wing System
– Specially configured harness with buoyancy compensator (no backplate BCD)
Two individual dive tanks
– Typically aluminum 80 cuft, each with its own regulator
– Stage rigging kit
Two Regulator Sets
– Each with 1st and 2nd stage and SPG
– One regulator with a long hose (minimum 210 cm)
– One regulator with a shorter hose
Dive Computer or Bottom Timer
Optional: Backup Computer
Mask and Spare Mask
Spare mask is mandatory in technical diving
Fins
Ideal with good control for Frogkick, Helicopter Turn, and Backkick
DSMB
(Decompression Buoy) with Spool
Wetsuit
Weight System
(if required)
Cutting Tool
Light
Optional, depending on dive environment

Course Duration

Minimum 3 days

Included

All cenote entrance fees
Breathing Gases
Water and light refreshments
Theory Session
Certification Fees