SDI/TDIIncludes two open water divesMinimum of 18 years, or 15 with parental consent
These are the options for you if you're looking for alternative diving lessons and classes, or if you want to find out what next steps should be taken.
The shift from backmounted doubles into sidemount has been one of the biggest changes in the equipment that cave divers have used since the turn of the century. A large number of cave divers sidemount. Additionally, there may be more sidemount cave divers than open-circuit backmount cave divers.
Sidemount and technical were my first courses. Sidemount diving involves placing your tanks in your hands. I was so numb that my fingers and knuckles had been cut by the end. The idea is to take the tanks off of your hands and let them flow out in front. After making adjustments to the harness's size, the afternoon dive went much easier. I was now able to unclip the harness and 'Superman' with the tanks. Sidemount provides an amazing degree of freedom. Matt installed obstacle courses, and we soon found ourselves flying around them while holding tanks at our feet. We also tried barrel-rolling and swimming upside down.
Technical divers are able to explore wrecks and reefs at depths that are below the recreational limit of 30 m/130 ft. Specialized training allows them to explore underwater caves, and other places that are beyond the reach of recreational diving.
Sidemount regulators will be taught. Asidemount regulators can be used on both long and short hoses. Sidemount regs are marked differently to normal regs. This allows you to easily identify the tank that you are currently breathing from. In my training, I was given a swivel elbow to use as a regulator for my short tube. There will be 2 SPGs available - one each for each stage.
Sidemount divers usually use two tanks. However, it is possible to use one tank as a standard. I was also told that you can use one tank for deco diving.
Gear – While the gear is fundamentally the same, divers in their introductory tech class (Intro to Tech, Sidemount or CCR Air diluent) will notice some fundamental configuration differences. Instead of 2 second stages on one cylinder they’re split between two, with a separate first stage on each. Gas planning becomes an in-depth thorough process and the harnesses seem to have more chrome.
Backmounted doubles were created in response to problems with single orifice and backmounted independences. Independents consist of two cylinders, each with its own regulator. The diver could only use one cylinder if a first stage failed. Single orifice duals consisted of two cylinders linked by a valve. One regulator was used for the first stage. The gas would not be released if the first stage failed due to a failure of one orifice doubles. Both of these problems have been eliminated by today's isolated manifold duplicates. Each cylinder is capable of being worked separately, but the diver can use one regulator to allow him or her to inhale gas directly from both cylinders. This type of doubles is usually held together using metal bands. Additionally, the valves are linked by an isolation manifold which allows the two to be separated as needed. Backmounted doubles diving looks similar to regular single cylinder backmounts, but it has a profile that is vertically identical.
This website uses cookies to ensure that you have the best user experience. Cookies are stored on your browser. They help our team recognise you when you visit our website again and to determine which sections you find the most interesting or useful.
Divers must maintain a minimum level fitness and health. Some conditions such as chronic illness, recent surgery or medication may make it necessary to obtain written permission before you can dive.
If you're not ready to try diving locally, but want to support your local dive shop, you can complete eLearning and coursework near home, then complete your training dives while traveling. Contact your local PADI Dive Center to ask about a referral.
At first, technical diving was not something that interested me. I can clearly recall chuckling to my self at the Tec divers I observed, and wondering why anyone would want to have more equipment under water. I love the feeling of freedom and closeness to nature that can envelope you in "the quiet world". Tom was a respected teacher who I felt it was important to share my experience in Tec courses with.
Sidemount diving is a great way to get additional air. There are two tanks that you use, one tank with an SPG and the other with regulators. This makes it safer and gives air-hogs like me a lot more air. Sidemount also makes diving extremely easy, since you can simply put tanks on top and there isn't any pressure on your spine.
- Increased Bottom Time A Closed Circuit diver is not concerned with running out of gas because they are only limited by decompression. This can also be reduced by selecting an oxygen partial pressure that provides the diver with virtually limitless bottom times in 60 feet or less of water.
2-3 hours
Even with small cylinders, you can usually dive for 2-3 hours (rebreathers typically have two 2/3l cylinders or one 3/5l cylinder).
5-6 days
Rebreather training classes are typically 5-6 days long, but can be longer depending on a variety of factors such as the training agency, your local conditions, your instructor, and your ability to meet the class standards.