Question Poll: Mandatory Sidemount Certification?
- Thread starter Andre171
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MichaelMc
Working toward Cenotes
It seems like the surface faffing about is the bigger issue with sidemount. And where dive ops would want some assurance that the diver is not a hot mess. Not anything underwater.
But it seems too few (good) sidemount instructors exist that requiring certs is a problem. Though it could be more of a problem for the divers than the ops.
For shore diving, shops seem to assume I know what I'm doing when they see my sidemount tanks. The only class I've taken in them was a solo class, which was after I'd been practicing drills in their pool on my own each week for a couple of months. They did not ask about a card.
On safety, one of my more ironic experiences was going over rock-bottom-gas and out of air drills with divers I was sort of guiding. With me in sidemount, aking them how much gas they need at depth if I go out-of-air lead to interesting looks of how are you going to go out of air.
But it seems too few (good) sidemount instructors exist that requiring certs is a problem. Though it could be more of a problem for the divers than the ops.
For shore diving, shops seem to assume I know what I'm doing when they see my sidemount tanks. The only class I've taken in them was a solo class, which was after I'd been practicing drills in their pool on my own each week for a couple of months. They did not ask about a card.
On safety, one of my more ironic experiences was going over rock-bottom-gas and out of air drills with divers I was sort of guiding. With me in sidemount, aking them how much gas they need at depth if I go out-of-air lead to interesting looks of how are you going to go out of air.
Hojo in SC
Contributor
I've never told the boat I was going to sidemount, just did it. The only 'incident' I had was getting ready to jump in and the DM that went to check my tank before the water entry grabbed me and said 'hey, where's your tank!?' I pointed to the other side and jumped in.
Should have asked for his sidemount speciality card
Why do you think that a reasonably-sized BM double requires a specific certification?
When I started diving, doubles were the standard. So I was certified using a 10+10 liters twin tank.
When single tanks of reasonable size (15 liters) were made available, I abandoned the twin tank (well, I stll have them in my garage).
I think that my certification is stll valid...
I also used a side-mounted single for some narrow penetrations, and no one asked me for a specific certification.
Same for CC rebreathers: during my first OW course we mostly used a chest-mounted CC rebreather. No one ever asked me for a different certification for using rebreathers with different positioning...
A diver should be free to attach his tanks, or his rebreather, where he finds it suitable for the specific dive.
And to use one or more tanks, small or large, depending on his needs.
J-Vo
Contributor
These days a reasonable ability to reach your valves is considered requisite.
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