PADI Sidemount Diver
A different approach to diving — cylinders at your sides instead of your back. Better trim, less strain, greater flexibility. A skill-focused course for divers ready to refine their technique.
What you need
Personalized gear fitting
Sidemount Diver certification
Same ocean. Different configuration. Better control.
The PADI Sidemount Diver course teaches you how to dive with cylinders mounted at your sides instead of your back. This changes how you move, how you trim, and how you manage your equipment underwater.
The result is better balance, less physical strain, and easier access to your tanks. It is a practical, skill-focused course for divers who want to refine how they dive.
Theory, confined water, then open water — in that order.
The course combines equipment theory, pool training, and three open water dives. Each stage builds directly on the previous one — you understand the configuration before you practice it, and you practice it in calm water before taking it into the ocean.
How the course works
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01
Equipment setup and theory
~2 hoursYou will learn how sidemount systems are configured — cylinder setup, weighting, attachment points, and equipment adjustment. The focus is on achieving proper balance and comfort before entering the water.
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02
Confined water training
~half dayTraining begins in a controlled environment. You will practice equipment handling, trim and buoyancy control, and gas management techniques. This session builds comfort with the configuration before moving to open water.
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03
Open water dives
3 divesThree open water dives — skill refinement, exploration, and advanced technique. Each dive builds on the previous one, focusing on streamlined positioning, efficient movement, and practical confidence with sidemount equipment.
What you will gain
Better trim and buoyancy
Sidemount configuration naturally improves your horizontal position in the water — less effort, more control.
Greater flexibility
Easier access to equipment, better movement in tight spaces, and less physical strain over longer dives.
Equipment confidence
You’ll understand exactly how your sidemount system works — configuration, adjustment, and gas management become second nature.
Path to technical diving
Sidemount is widely used in technical diving. This course is a natural first step for divers interested in going further.
Sidemount offers greater flexibility and maneuverability — particularly useful in tight spaces. It also provides better weight distribution, reducing strain on your back and allowing easier access to your tanks for checks and adjustments during the dive.
Yes — sidemount diving requires a sidemount BCD, tanks with appropriate valves, and regulators. During the course, our instructors will help you select and fit the right gear. If you’re unsure what to bring, get in touch before booking and we’ll advise you.
In backmount diving, your tank sits on your back. In sidemount, tanks hang at your sides — changing your trim, center of gravity, and how you interact with your equipment. It takes some adjustment to get used to, but most divers find it more comfortable for longer dives once they’re practiced.