Sidemount Update - PADI Standardised Sidemount Specialty

PADI is currently in the process of releasing its own standardised PADI Sidemount Diver specialty course.

This course, conducted over at least 2 days, features knowledge development, a hands on practical application session, and at least one confined water dive and three open water dives. Divers learn to use a sidemount configuration for recreational diving purposes. This will be a great adjunct to Enriched Air Diving for divers wanting to get more bottom time on a single dive.

As this is a standardised PADI specialty, there is an Adventure Dive option as part of the PADI Adventures in Diving program (which leads to either the PADI Adventure Diver or PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certifications). Only certified PADI Sidemount Instructors can offer and conduct the Sidemount Adventure Dive.

Until now, I have been teaching a distinctive specialty in Sidemount Diving, but with the release of this standardised specialty, I am re-focusing my training onto this great specialty.

PADI has also announced the imminent release of the PADI Tec Sidemount Diver course. I plan to offer this program shortly to divers interested in pursuing Sidemount as an option for recreational and tec diving. More information when it is available.