PADI to introduce sidemount courses

Dive training agency PADI is introducing a duo of sidemount courses from late 2011.

Originally a cave diving technique, sidemounted cylinders are becoming increasingly popular with technical and recreational divers, too.

A PADI sidemount course has actually been available for ten years, but the agency plans to push it more mainstream.

To that end, from late 2011 it will be relaunched as the PADI Sidemount Diver Specialty course.

And Mark Caney of PADI UK exclusively told British Diver that the agency is to simultaneously introduce a sidemount training course aimed at the recreational diver.

He commented: “A lot of divers have discovered that, when carrying two or more cylinders, it makes sense to do so on the hips rather than the back. Personally, I far prefer it.

“Cylinders can be carried separately on land and removed and replaced in the water, if needed, valves are easily accessible underwater, and it’s easier to assemble a tec rig when travelling.”

The PADI Sidemount Diver Specialty tec and rec courses will become available in the autumn.