sidemount course

This course is for:

The certified diver looking to use a sidemount cylinder instead of the traditional standard mount.

Course prerequisites:

Certification as an SNSI Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent. Minimum age of 18 years; 15 years with parental consent.

What you can expect to learn:

The SNSI Sidemount Diving Course offers an in-depth study of all of the following and more:

Gas management using independent cylinders. Equipment considerations including cylinder options, regulator, buoyancy device (BCD) / harness options and proper weighting. Equipment configurations for Sidemount diving. Communication techniques and hand signals. Troubleshooting including gas sharing, gas bleeds and water ingress. Realization of the specific S-drill for Sidemount.

Some of the skills you will need to demonstrate include:

Dive planning. Testing and verification of all equipment including depth gauges, bottom timers/clocks and computers. Familiarization with the diving area. Descent to the planned depth and compliance with pre-planned limits. Safe gas management in independent cylinders. Depth, time and air consumption monitoring, with time marking on the clipboard. Buoyancy control in various situations, including Sidemount cylinder placement.

What you can achieve:

After successfully completing this course, the student will be able to conduct diving activities without direct supervision of the SNSI Instructor*, provided that the following limits are respected:

Diving activities should resemble those practiced during training. The activity areas should resemble those covered in the training. Environmental conditions should resemble those faced during training.

*Note: Junior divers (ages 10-14) must participate in advanced buoyancy activities with a parent, guardian, or dive professional.

The SNSI Sidemount Diver certification contributes as a specialization towards achieving the SNSI Advanced Diver Development Program or the SNSI Master Diver Development Program.

Minimum SNSI Sidemount Diver requirements:

Safe and efficient execution of all land exercises and open water diving requirements. Demonstrate good judgment in planning and executing dives. Log all dives performed.