SSI Recreational Sidemount Diving Course: All You Need To Know
September 2, 2024
The SSI Recreational Sidemount Specialty is an exciting program designed for people who want to try sidemount diving and discover the benefits of this increasingly popular way of diving. This sidemount diving course helps to improve your dive skills, increase your comfort underwater, and get more out of every dive. Sound too good to be true? Keep reading to find out more about sidemount diving, what makes it awesome, and what this course involves.
What is Sidemount Diving?
Sidemount diving involves carrying tanks on the sides of the body rather than on the back. It has numerous benefits that allow for greater flexibility and freedom of movement during your dives.
What Are The Benefits Of Sidemount Diving?
Sidemount diving enhances your overall dive experience in many ways. These include:
1.Increased Flexibility and Comfort
Sidemount diving offers greater flexibility and comfort compared to traditional back-mounted systems. The tanks’ placement along the sides of the body allows for easier movement and access to equipment.
2.Streamlined Profile
A streamlined profile reduces drag and effort, making it easier to move through the water efficiently. This can result in longer bottom times and reduced air consumption.
3.Improved Gas Management
With multiple tanks, you have more significant gas reserves, allowing for extended dives and increased safety. You can also switch tanks to balance your buoyancy more effectively.
4.Better Accessibility and Safety
Sidemount systems provide easier access to regulators and tanks, allowing you to address issues quickly and safely. This can be particularly advantageous in emergencies.
5.You Can Explore New Environments
Sidemount diving is versatile and can be used in various diving environments, from recreational scuba diving to technical diving and cave diving. Learning sidemount techniques opens up new opportunities for exploration and adventure.
6.Additional Air Supply
Sidemount diving inherently includes redundancy with two or more tanks, enhancing safety by providing an additional air supply in case of equipment failure.
7.Customizable Equipment
Sidemount systems are highly customizable, allowing you to tailor your setup to your preferences and specific diving conditions.
If you want to start sidemount diving and discover these many benefits, join SSI’s Recreational Sidemount Specialty program. In this entry-level sidemount diving course, you will learn all you need to know to start sidemount diving with confidence.
Who Can Join SSI’s Recreational Sidemount Diving Course?
To join the SSI Recreational Sidemount Specialty program, you must meet the following prerequisites:
1.Open Water Diver Certification
Participants must have a recognized Open Water Diver certification. This certification ensures you have the fundamental skills and knowledge needed for safe diving.
2.At Least 12 Years Old
Divers must be at least 12 years old to participate in this sidemount diving course. This age requirement ensures you are physically and mentally mature enough to handle the program content and equipment.
3.Scuba Diving Experience
While not mandatory, it is recommended that divers have some experience beyond the basic Open Water Diver certification. Having a few dives under your belt helps you feel more comfortable and confident as you learn new skills.
4.Medical Clearance
Divers must complete a medical statement, and if any conditions are flagged, they must obtain clearance from a physician. This step ensures your health and safety during this sidemount diving course.
What To Expect From This Specialty
The SSI Recreational Sidemount Specialty program is designed to provide comprehensive training through a combination of academic sessions, confined water training, and open water dives. This sidemount diving course typically covers the following:
1. Academic Sessions
During the academic sessions, you will learn about the principles and benefits of sidemount diving. Key topics include:
- Equipment Configuration: Understanding the components of sidemount systems, including harnesses, tanks, regulators, and buoyancy devices. You will learn how to configure and adjust your equipment for optimal comfort and performance.
- Streamlining and Trim: Techniques for achieving a streamlined profile and proper trim in the water. Proper trim and streamlining reduce drag, improve buoyancy control, and enhance your overall diving efficiency.
- Gas Management: Managing air supply with multiple tanks, including switching between tanks and monitoring air consumption. Effective gas management is crucial for safety and extended bottom times.
- Dive Planning: Planning dives with sidemount equipment, including depth limits, duration, and potential hazards. Proper planning ensures you have a safe and enjoyable dive experience.
2. Confined Water Training
Confined water training sessions allow you to practice and refine your skills in a controlled environment, such as a swimming pool or shallow, calm body of water. Key skills covered during these sessions include:
- Equipment Assembly: Assembling and disassembling sidemount systems. You will practice setting up your gear, ensuring everything is secure and functioning correctly.
- Buoyancy Control: Mastering buoyancy control with sidemount equipment. You will practice hovering, ascending, and descending while maintaining proper trim.
- Gas Switching: Techniques for switching between tanks smoothly and efficiently. You will practice changing regulators and monitoring your air supply.
- Emergency Procedures: Handling potential emergencies, such as regulator failures or out-of-air situations. You will learn and practice procedures for dealing with these scenarios safely.
3. Open Water Dives
The open water dives are the culmination of the sidemount training, allowing you to apply your skills in real-world conditions. Typically, this sidemount diving course includes two to four open water dives, during which you will:
- Equipment Setup and Check: Set up and inspect your sidemount equipment at the dive site. You will ensure everything is ready and functioning correctly before entering the water.
- Buoyancy and Trim Practice: Continue practicing buoyancy control and trim in open water, adapting to different environments and conditions.
- Gas Management and Switching: Apply gas management and switching techniques during actual dives. You will monitor your air supply and switch tanks as needed.
- Navigation and Dive Planning: Navigate underwater using natural and compass navigation, applying dive planning principles learned in the academic sessions.
- Problem-Solving: Deal with potential issues or emergencies that may arise during the dive, reinforcing the emergency procedures practiced in confined water.
The SSI Recreational Sidemount Specialty program allows you to gain valuable knowledge and practical experience in sidemount diving. The benefits of increased flexibility, streamlined movement, improved gas management, and enhanced safety make sidemount diving a versatile and rewarding addition to any diver’s repertoire.
Whether you want to dive in open water, explore caves, or venture into technical diving, the skills learned in this sidemount diving course will provide a solid foundation for your future dive adventures and ambitions.
Ask at your local SSI Training Center for more information or to sign up today.