PADI Sidemount Diver and Instructor courses
The PADI Sidemount Diver course has become one of the fastest growing specialties in recreational diving. In fact, it is now one of the most popular specialty courses taught on Koh Tao.
Originally linked mainly to cave and technical diving, sidemount has now moved firmly into recreational diving. As a result, more divers are choosing the PADI Sidemount Diver course to improve comfort, buoyancy, and underwater trim.
At Scuba Dive Online, both of our PADI 5 Star CDC partner centres, Assava Diving Resort and Davy Jones Locker, teach both the recreational and instructor versions of the course. Furthermore, the specialty is commonly completed at the end of our PADI IDC programmes on Koh Tao.
What is the PADI Sidemount Diver Course?
The Sidemount course teaches divers how to dive with cylinders mounted along the sides of the body instead of on the back.
This equipment setup creates a streamlined position underwater. Consequently, many divers find sidemount more balanced and comfortable than traditional scuba configurations.
The course also introduces advanced equipment handling and streamlined diving techniques. In addition, divers learn how to manage two independent gas supplies safely.
Although sidemount has technical diving roots, the recreational course remains well within recreational diving limits.
Why is Sidemount So Popular?
Sidemount is now extremely popular across South East Asia.
Improved Comfort Underwater
Many divers first notice how comfortable sidemount feels. Without a heavy cylinder on the back, movement often feels lighter and more natural.
Additionally, smaller divers or anyone with back discomfort often prefer sidemount equipment.
Better Buoyancy and Trim
Sidemount encourages excellent trim and buoyancy. Consequently, many divers improve air consumption during the course.
Redundancy and Gas Management
Divers also learn gas management and equipment redundancy. Therefore, sidemount is often a first step towards tec diving.
A Gateway Into Tec Diving
At Davy Jones Locker, sidemount is especially popular because of the centre’s reputation as a technical diving facility.
Many tec divers use sidemount for cave, wreck, and decompression diving. However, you do not need to become a tec diver to enjoy sidemount. Many recreational divers simply love the comfort and flexibility it provides.
PADI Sidemount Specialty Instructor
The instructor version of the Sidemount course has also become extremely popular on Koh Tao. Many new PADI Instructors add the rating immediately after their IDC and Instructor Examination.
As a result, sidemount is now one of the most commonly taught specialties during our MSDT preparation programmes.
The PADI Sidemount Instructor course costs 5,000 THB if you already hold the recreational certification. Alternatively, it can be included within our MSDT prep package, which includes five PADI Specialty Instructor ratings for 15,000 THB.
Both Assava Diving Resort and Davy Jones Locker regularly train new sidemount instructors on Koh Tao.
PADI Sidemount Diver Course Price and Duration
The recreational PADI Sidemount Diver course on Koh Tao costs 14,000 THB and normally takes three days to complete.
For example, you can combine the PADI Sidemount Diver course with your Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water and other courses. This flexibility makes sidemount even more attractive for continuing education students.
PADI Sidemount Diver Course Prerequisites and Training Structure
To enrol on the PADI Sidemount Diver course, divers must:
- Be at least 15 years old
- Hold a PADI Open Water Diver certification, or equivalent certification from another recognised agency
The course includes one confined water session and three open water dives.
During confined water training, divers learn how to configure and don sidemount equipment correctly. In addition, they practise key sidemount skills before moving into open water dives.
These skills include:
- Regulator switching and gas management
- Buoyancy and trim control
- Streamlining techniques
- Simulated out of gas situations with a buddy
During the three open water dives, divers refine these skills in real diving conditions.
The Most Popular PADI Specialties in South East Asia
Based on demand at our partner centres, the current top five PADI specialties are:
- Enriched Air Nitrox
- Deep Diver
- Wreck Diver
- Peak Performance Buoyancy
- Sidemount Diver
The PADI Sidemount Diver course continues to grow rapidly, especially among divers interested in advanced diving.
Learn the PADI Sidemount Diver Course on Koh Tao
Both Assava Diving Resort and Davy Jones Locker teach the PADI Sidemount Diver course regularly throughout the year.
Assava offers a more boutique and conservation focused environment. Meanwhile, Davy Jones Locker is particularly well known for tec diving and wreck exploration.
Therefore, whichever training style you prefer, Koh Tao is one of the best places in Thailand to learn sidemount diving.
Whether you want improved comfort, better trim, or an introduction to technical diving, the PADI Sidemount Diver course offers a completely new way to experience scuba diving.
