badge
Courses in Tasmania
Sidemount Diver
Course code: SDI-11
Build a balanced, accessible sidemount system and learn to manage it with confidence in open water.
The SDI Sidemount Diver course teaches certified divers to use side-mounted primary cylinder or cylinders as an alternative to a traditional back-mounted configuration. Training develops practical equipment selection and setup, regulator routing, weighting, cylinder attachment and positioning, buoyancy, trim, gas management, communication, gas sharing, regulator switching, entries, descents, ascents, safety stops, and problem-solving. The course is strictly no-decompression, conducted in a non-overhead environment, and remains within the diver’s current certification limits to a maximum of 40 metres / 130 feet.
.
Standards verification note: Standards verification note: This section has been checked against the uploaded SDI Standards and Procedures, Part 3, Section 23 — Sidemount Diver. The course requires two open-water dives with complete instructor briefings and debriefings. Maximum ratios are 8 students per instructor in confined water and 8 in open water, with the instructor able to reduce either ratio as conditions dictate. Minimum prerequisites are SDI Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent and age 18, or 15 with parental consent. The course is strictly no-decompression, is conducted in a non-overhead environment, and must remain within the diver’s current certification limits to a maximum of 40 metres / 130 feet. Required equipment includes cylinder or cylinders suitable for the planned dive and the student’s gas consumption, regulators appropriate to the configuration with a pressure gauge on each first stage and two second stages in total, a sidemount BCD or harness with power inflator, suitable exposure protection, mask, fins, dive computer, compass, and rescue signal. Certification requires safe completion of planning, equipment checks, gas management, buoyancy control, cylinder attachment in multiple positions, regulator switches, safety stops, logging, and mature judgment.
Quick Course Overview
• Certification scope
Use side-mounted primary cylinder or cylinders without direct instructor supervision in conditions similar to training.
• Required training
Two open-water dives with complete instructor briefings and debriefings.
• Course limits
Strictly no-decompression, non-overhead, within current certification limits, and no deeper than 40 metres / 130 feet.
• Core focus
Equipment configuration, weighting, cylinder attachment, gas management, regulator switching, buoyancy, trim, communication, entries, problem-solving, ascents, and safety stops.
• Maximum ratios
8 students per instructor in confined water and 8 in open water, with reduction at the instructor’s discretion.
• Progression
Build a strong recreational sidemount foundation for advanced buoyancy, deep, wreck, DPV, and future technical pathways.
Training Options
Standard small-group training
Scheduled once the two-participant minimum is reached. Final group size remains subject to equipment configurations, site, conditions, visibility, logistics, and instructor discretion. Premium one-on-one training Private delivery provides focused fitting, configuration, weighting, cylinder-position, gas-management, and in-water coaching with flexible pacing and dedicated remediation.
Standard Cost*
$1,000 AUD
Note* *Standard training requires a minimum of 3 (Three) participants. Date options will be provided once the course is filled.
Private 1 on 1 Cost
Private 1 on 1 Cost
$2,500 AUD
Want to know more first?
Send us a quick enquiry and we'll get back to you before you book.
Prerequisites
• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent.
• Minimum age 18, or 15 with parental consent.
• Required administrative and medical documentation completed before in-water training.
• Suitable fitness, recent diving competence, buoyancy, trim, buddy awareness, and readiness for the additional equipment-management task loading.
Course Format
Learning materials
SDI/TDI Sidemount Student Manual or eLearning and instructor-led academic review.
Knowledge development
Gas management with sidemount cylinders, cylinder and regulator options, BCD or harness selection, weighting, configuration, communication, gas sharing, gas-loss procedures, entries, and sidemount-specific S-drills.
Equipment preparation
Fit and adjust the sidemount system; configure regulators and pressure gauges; rig and position cylinders; establish weighting, hose routing, accessory placement, and pre-dive checks.
Two open-water dives
Plan and complete equipment checks, controlled descents, gas management, buoyancy and trim work, cylinder attachment and management, regulator switches, ascents, safety stops, and logging.
Cylinder-attachment performance
Attach sidemount cylinders out of water, on the surface while standing, on the surface in water too deep to stand, and at depth.
Dive planning
Plan and log surface interval, maximum no-decompression time, depth, time, gas consumption, regulator-switching strategy, ascent, and safety stop.
Assessment
Complete all academic, equipment, planning, in-water, safety-stop, logging, and judgment requirements safely and efficiently.
What You Will Learn
Select and configure suitable cylinders, regulators, pressure gauges, sidemount BCD or harness, weighting, exposure protection, computer, compass, and rescue signal.
Rig, attach, position, unclip, reattach, and manage sidemount cylinders while maintaining access, balance, buoyancy, and trim.
Manage gas conservatively, monitor each cylinder, perform regulator switches, and respond to gas-sharing or gas-loss problems.
Use controlled entries, descents, propulsion, communication, ascents, and safety stops with a sidemount configuration.
Improve streamlining and equipment accessibility while retaining stable body position and environmental awareness.
Plan and execute no-decompression sidemount dives within personal certification, gas, depth, equipment, and environmental limits.
What's Included
- Required learning materials | SDI/TDI Sidemount Student Manual or eLearning and the current instructor-led academic review, as confirmed at booking.
- Instructor-led development | Knowledge development covering gas management, equipment options, weighting, configuration, communication, gas sharing, gas-loss procedures, entries, and S-drills.
- Configuration and preparation | Fitting and adjustment of the sidemount system, regulator routing, weighting, cylinder rigging and positioning, pressure-gauge orientation, accessory placement, and pre-dive checks.
- Two open-water dives | Complete briefings, debriefings, planning, equipment checks, gas management, buoyancy, cylinder attachment, regulator switches, ascents, safety stops, and logging.
- Core equipment support | Use of sidemount cylinders, air fills, weights, and specifically confirmed centre equipment where required and available.
- Assessment and certification | Academic review, remediation where required, dive-plan and log review, judgment and in-water performance evaluation, and SDI Sidemount Diver certification processing after successful completion.
What's Not Included
- Personal dive equipment | Mask, fins, boots, exposure protection, dive computer, compass, cutting devices, DSMB or lift bag, reel or spool, lights, wet notes, rescue signals, and preferred accessories unless specifically confirmed.
- Personal sidemount system | Harness or BCD, regulators, hoses, pressure gauges, cylinder rigging, clips, bungees, weights, and accessories if the diver prefers to train on their own configuration, unless specifically included. Personal equipment must be suitable and approved before training. (equipment hire and sales available, correct fitment and professional consultation with all sales and gear hire)
- Gas and cylinder costs outside confirmed support | Nitrox or other non-standard gases, analysis charges, additional cylinders, cylinder hire, and fills beyond those specifically included in the booking confirmation.
- Servicing and configuration changes | Equipment servicing, repairs, replacement parts, permanent modifications, replacement hoses or hardware, and lost or damaged equipment charges unless specifically included.
- Additional diving and logistics | Optional additional dives, boat fees, site fees, permits, facility charges, travel, accommodation, and meals unless specifically confirmed.
- Printed materials and unspecified items | Hard-copy student manuals where digital materials are supplied, and anything not specifically listed in the final booking confirmation.
Why Train With Us
Sidemount training informed by thousands of recreational and technical dives—not simply adjusting a harness and completing two dives. • Thousands of sidemount and technical dives behind our coaching | Our team brings extensive practical experience to configuration, weighting, cylinder position, gas management, regulator procedures, entries, and problem-solving. • Your system, properly fitted | We refine the harness, BCD, regulators, cylinder rigging, hose routing, weighting, and accessories around the diver rather than forcing every diver into one generic setup. • Control before complexity | We prioritise stable buoyancy, trim, gas awareness, cylinder control, and repeatable regulator procedures before adding depth, overhead, or decompression demands. • Real Tasmanian conditions | Develop practical sidemount habits for cold water, thicker exposure protection, shore entries, variable visibility, current, and local site logistics. • Small groups and direct feedback | Receive detailed coaching on subtle equipment adjustments and in-water techniques that materially improve balance, access, streamlining, and comfort. • Equipment and progression support | Access specialist sidemount equipment, cylinder and regulator support, gas services, configuration advice, and clear pathways into advanced and technical training through our SDI/TDI 5-Star Dive Centre.
Ready to take the next step?
Start your training. Plan your next adventure.
Build stronger skills with Tasmania Tech & Dive Centre.
