PADI sidemount specialisations

PADI has decided to introduce two new specialisations. These are respectively: Sidemount Diver and Tec Sidemount Diver, for which fully prepared training programmes and instructor materials are now available. The training courses are aimed at two completely different groups of divers. Depending on our needs and the type of dives we conduct, we will now be able to choose the training that best fits our plans for further development.

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PADI Sidemount Diver, is a specialization designed for the recreational diver. Its aim is to learn how to use the basic sidemount configuration. During the training, the student is introduced to the advantages and specifics of this type of configuration. You will also become familiar with the different types of sidemount and the different procedures for them.

Each course consists of a minimum of 4 dives. They are divided as follows: 1 pool and 3 open water dives, all in a minimum of 3 days. Adepts learn to operate one or two sidemount cylinders, but at the end of the course, they must be able to perform dives with two cylinders. It is interesting to note that during this course, the instructors are required to teach the students back frog swimming and the so-called helicopter dives.

Michał Kosut
PADI Platinum Course Director
PADI Rec Sidemount Instructor Trainer
DSAT Tec Sidemount Instructor Trainer

PADI does not dictate the type of equipment a diver or instructor should use, but enforces the use of a long hose configuration (so called Boghaetrian coming from its creator – Steve Bogaerts). This configuration is due to the fact that it is easier to coordinate procedures with backmounot divers, especially if they use a Hoghartian configuration (hence the coincidence of names).

The minimum qualification required to undertake this specialisation is PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent. Obviously, some flotation is necessary as all exercises require good buoyancy control and the ability to handle more equipment. The first pool and open water dive, can also be introduced as one of the elective dives, to the Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) programme.

Instructors wishing to offer this specialization are required to have a PADI OWSI rating (minimum), documented experience in sidemount diving and an instructor course. Officially PADI will introduce this course in April 2012, but already now, 4 Course Directors across PADI EMEA have been approved to teach at instructor level. The first PADI Sidemount Instructor course in Poland started last Saturday 18th February.

Michał Kosut
PADI Platinum Course Director
PADI Rec Sidemount Instructor Trainer
DSAT Tec Sidemount Instructor Trainer

PADI Tec Sidemount, on the other hand, is a specialization created for divers who intend to use the sidemount configuration in technical diving. PADI has included three levels of experience for divers who can take this specialisation:

– no sidemount experience, no tec experience

– sidemount experience, no tec experience

– no experience in sidemount, experience in tec

The modular construction of the course, allows you to easily adapt to each of these levels. The training itself, consists of 5 dives, which are divided as follows: 1 pool and 4 open water dives. During these dives, students learn to use the sidemount configuration and 2-4 additional decompression gas cylinders.

PADI also takes a similar approach to equipment here as in the Sidemount Diver specialisation. The entry requirements for the course are the same as for the Tec 40 course (equivalent to Advanced Nitrox), allowing students to become technically qualified in the sidemount configuration from the start.

To become an instructor, you need a PADI MSDT qualification, proven sidemount experience including tec dives, a minimum of Tec Instructor and a completed instructor course. The first such course will also start in Poland in February.

Michał Kosut
PADI Platinum Course Director
PADI Rec Sidemount Instructor Trainer
DSAT Tec Sidemount Instructor Trainer