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| Side Mount Systems |
Open Water Side Mount Course trains the diver in Side Mount configuration for open water diving only.
Wreck or Cave Side Mount Course establishes the procedures and skill sets necessary to begin cave or wreck dive in Side Mount configuration
Any new equipment configuration takes time to master and this should be done in a low stress safe environment
Side Mount diving in lower ceilings and tighter restrictions increases the environmental hazards and psychological stress levels considerably.
- student develops an understanding of advantages of using a side mount system
- planning and execution of bailout scenarios
- gas planning utilizing independent systems
- completes dives using the system developing skill and confidence
Wreck or Cave Side Mount Course establishes the procedures and skill sets necessary to begin cave or wreck dive in Side Mount configuration
- builds on the skills and procedures established in the open water course as well as adding additional skills
- develops further comfortability diving in side mount cave or wreck
Any new equipment configuration takes time to master and this should be done in a low stress safe environment
Side Mount diving in lower ceilings and tighter restrictions increases the environmental hazards and psychological stress levels considerably.
Minimum Prerequisites:
OW Sidemount:
Advanced OW with 25 logged dives at AOW level
course duration: 2 to 3 days.
Wreck or Cave Sidemount:
- Cave Diver or Wreck Penetration Diver
- 50 logged cave or serious wreck penetration dives
- Instructor’s approval
course duration 4 days
OW Sidemount:
Advanced OW with 25 logged dives at AOW level
course duration: 2 to 3 days.
Wreck or Cave Sidemount:
- Cave Diver or Wreck Penetration Diver
- 50 logged cave or serious wreck penetration dives
- Instructor’s approval
course duration 4 days
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Side mount configuration is NOT a "stage bottle" diving configuration as seen on tech divers
The system consists of NO back mount cylinders but a cylinder mounted on each side of the diver
Side mount diving configurations and techniques have become recognized as an accepted and safe methodology for open water as well as caves or wrecks.
Even in conditions that don't necessarily call for side mount, a diver may choose to incorporate such techniques for the following logical points
Side mount configurations can be used by students in their wreck through full cave courses as their primary configuration This does not qualify them as a Side Mount Diver
in the sense of advanced exploration techniques. The student will only receive a Cave Diver certification, and not a Side Mount Diver certification.
If the diver wishes to use this configuration to it’s full capabilities, then a Side Mount Diver course should be taken after 50 non-training cave dives have been completed.
The Side Mount Diver course allows the diver to move on to the more advanced techniques including in-water cylinder removals, negotiating restrictions and gas
management considerations for a truly independent cylinder configuration.
There are two levels of side mount training available
The system consists of NO back mount cylinders but a cylinder mounted on each side of the diver
Side mount diving configurations and techniques have become recognized as an accepted and safe methodology for open water as well as caves or wrecks.
Even in conditions that don't necessarily call for side mount, a diver may choose to incorporate such techniques for the following logical points
- Ease of transporting single cylinders to and from the water rather than doubles
- Reduces stress to divers back, knees and ankles from lugging heavy loads, long distances
- Low vertical profile of the diver's air supply allows the scuba cylinders to be easily manipulated, and carried in a less cumbersome manner
- Access to tank valves and regulator 1st stage during dive operations
- Enables the diver to configure for doubles diving in nearly any location in the world where scuba diving activities using standard aluminum cylinders
- Enables the diver to move through smaller passages
- Establishes a large redundant gas supply
Side mount configurations can be used by students in their wreck through full cave courses as their primary configuration This does not qualify them as a Side Mount Diver
in the sense of advanced exploration techniques. The student will only receive a Cave Diver certification, and not a Side Mount Diver certification.
If the diver wishes to use this configuration to it’s full capabilities, then a Side Mount Diver course should be taken after 50 non-training cave dives have been completed.
The Side Mount Diver course allows the diver to move on to the more advanced techniques including in-water cylinder removals, negotiating restrictions and gas
management considerations for a truly independent cylinder configuration.
There are two levels of side mount training available
- Open Water Side Mount
- Wreck or Cave Side Mount
