PADI TECH SIDEMOUNT

Sidemount diving means carrying tanks mounted along the sides of the diver rather than on the back. It’s suitable for recreational, technical, and overhead diving. To enroll in a PADI Sidemount Diver course, you must be Open Water certified, at least 15 years old, and medically fit–recent diving experience is recommended.

Over 2–2.5 days, you’ll cover knowledge development (manual and reviews), shallow/confined water skill sessions, and 3–4 open water sidemount training dives. You’ll practice gas management, streamlining, body posture, buoyancy, regulator use, and problem-solving skills like emergency shut-downs and air sharing.

Sidemount offers more flexibility, better trim and buoyancy control, easier gear transport, less strain on your back, and increased gas supply. It’s popular for extending bottom time and prepping for cave or technical diving.

Courses provide sidemount harnesses, dual regulators, two independent cylinders, a dive computer, and all required accessories. Students learn gear setup and configuration for safety and comfort during dives.

Tech Sidemount is designed for technical divers, teaching decompression procedures and handling multiple (up to 6) tanks. Prerequisites include Open Water certification and 20+ logged dives. The program covers advanced topics like deco bottle management, gas switches, propulsion techniques, handling emergencies, and deep or overhead environments.

Yes, after foundational sidemount training and gaining experience, divers may take PADI Tec Sidemount or similar courses to expand into technical diving specialties.

Courses are flexible, run by experienced instructors, and typically cost from 20,000–35,000 THB, including equipment and certification fees.