SDI Recreational Sidemount
SDI Sidemount at a glance
- SDI Sidemount course at a glance:
- Prerequisites
- Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent
- Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent.
- online learning
- 2 Days - 4 dives
- All equipment and diving included
One Tank or Two? You Decide with SDI Sidemount!
Sidemount diving has officially come out of the caves and is rapidly becoming one of the most popular ways to explore the ocean. It is incredibly comfortable, takes all the heavy lifting off your back, and offers unmatched flexibility for everyday recreational diving.
Whether you want the streamline profile of a single cylinder or the massive gas reserves of twin tanks, the SDI Sidemount Diver course gives you the ultimate freedom of choice.
Why Choose Big Blue Tech?
Transitioning to a brand-new configuration can feel a bit intimidating at first. That’s why we provide a structured, low-stress learning environment backed by elite-level mentorship:
Taught by Technical Pros: Your recreational course is taught by our active technical diving instructors. Their deep, daily experience with advanced multi-cylinder setups ensures your harness and trim are tuned to absolute perfection.
Elite Rental Fleet: We don’t skimp on equipment. All Big Blue Tech students train using XDEEP Stealth 2.0 Tec harness systems—widely recognized as the absolute best sidemount system on the market.
Progressive Training Structure: You will build your confidence step-by-step, starting with a dedicated confined water skills session to dial in your balance before heading out for your open water training dives.
What You Will Master
This course goes far beyond just clipping tanks to your sides. You will learn to fly through the water effortlessly while mastering:
Precision Equipment Setup: Custom-fitting your XDEEP harness for your specific body shape.
Advanced Gas Management: Managing independent cylinders and planning gas-turn schedules.
In-Water Mechanics: Executing smooth, disciplined regulator switches and specialized propulsion kicks (like the frog kick) to maintain flawless horizontal trim.
Flexible Online Learning
Get the theory sorted before you even set foot on the boat. With the SDI eLearning platform, you can complete all your academics online on your own schedule. Once completed, you will have lifetime digital access to your course materials, allowing you to refresh your knowledge at any time.
SDI Sidemount gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Configuration, Setup & Initial Skills Training
Your introduction to the freedom of sidemount diving starts with a relaxed but structured first day, perfectly balancing custom gear setup with hands-on practical training.
Morning: Custom Gear Setup & Sidemount Theory
We kick off the morning by meeting your Big Blue Tech Instructor at our beachside restaurant. Over a coffee, we’ll take care of the paperwork and review your online academics.
Your instructor will deep-dive into the core principles of recreational sidemount, focusing on:
Equipment Selection & Tuning: Understanding harness design and custom-fitting your rig for a perfectly streamlined profile.
Gas Management: Learning proper gas matching and independent cylinder monitoring protocols.
The Sidemount Advantage: Exploring how this flexible configuration unlocks better comfort, easier travel, and extended dive opportunities.
Afternoon: Practical Session (Pool or Tech Boat)
Following a lunch break, we head out to put the theory into practice. Depending on conditions and scheduling, we will utilize either our dedicated training pool or head straight out on our Tech Boat for your first hands-on water session. The focus is on mastering cylinder handling and maintaining perfect control.
During this practical session, you will practice and perfect:
Cylinder Management: Mastering the techniques for donning and doffing your cylinders smoothly in both shallow and deep water.
Sidemount Buddy Checks: Executing specialized pre-dive safety checks tailored for independent cylinders.
In-Water Drill Execution: Conducting smooth, disciplined underwater gas switches and out-of-air (OOA) drills.
Profile Streamlining: Practicing removing and replacing a cylinder underwater to navigate tight profiles or assist with exits.
Evening: Debrief
With a successful first day in the books, we head back to the Tech shack for a comprehensive debrief with your instructor. You can review your progress, log your day’s activities, and unwind with a cold drink as the sun goes down.
Day 2: Advanced Planning & First Open Water Dives
With your initial skills practice complete, Day 2 is all about fine-tuning your configuration and taking your new setup out into the open ocean.
Morning: Dive Planning & Gear Optimization
We start the morning at the beachside restaurant to wrap up the academics. Your instructor will ensure you have a thorough understanding of all aspects of recreational sidemount diving theory, independent cylinder dive planning, and turn-pressure logistics.
Before the lunch break, we will use this time to meticulously fine-tune your equipment setup, making precise adjustments to your harness bungees and clip placements so everything sits perfectly for the afternoon.
Afternoon: Open Water Dives 1 & 2
After lunch, we board the boat for your first two open water training dives, transitioning your skills directly into the marine environment.
Dive 1 (Skills & Management): We focus on real-world ocean mechanics, including water entries, exits, and donning and doffing your equipment both in and out of the water. You will also practice managing your independent cylinders with structured gas planning and smooth regulator switches.
Dive 2 (Perfecting the Trim): This dive is all about optimization. With your tanks sitting perfectly in trim and your gas consciously managed, you can truly relax and enjoy the weightless feeling of a totally new way to explore the ocean.
Evening: Debrief & Certification
Back on land following a comprehensive debrief from your instructor, you can look back on your hard work over the course. Upon successful completion of your SDI Sidemount Diver course, it’s time to grab a celebratory drink at the bar, toast your new certification.
FAQs
What can I expect to learn about?
The SDI Sidemount Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:
Your Big Blue Tech Instructor will be going through the following and more during your time with us:
- Gas management utilizing independent cylinders
- Equipment considerations
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Water entries
- S-Drills (specific to sidemount)
Will I be able to dive this certification with Big Blue Tech after the course?
Absolutely, We encourage all of our newly certified students to get back in the water and enjoy their new certifications. We’ll provide a Sidemount certified Dive Master to accompany you but you’ll also be part of the planning process and gain more experience of being a leader and not a passenger on dives.
What's included in the course?
All the required equipment is included in the course:
- All materials and certification costs on successful completion
- SIdemount (Regs, Harness & Tanks)
- Fins (Students are required to have boots if they wish to use open healed fins)
- Exposure suit
- Mask
- Computor
What's Not included?
Everythings included NO hidden extras guaranteed.
Are you fit to dive?
Scuba diving is an activity that requires a certain level of physical health. Please read this medical questionnaire. If you can answer yes to any of the questions you may require medical clearance to enroll in a diving course. Contact us for more information.
SDI Sidemount StandardsOK, let's do this... How do I book?
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