What exactly is taught in the PADI recretional sidemount specialty course?

[Progen]

Will be going for this one next month and I know most people will tell me to wait and see but I'm really excited about it so are there any instructors who can give me some details on what I'd be learning?

 

[RJP]

So you signed up for a class without knowing what was going to be taught? What is it that excites you, then?

Are there any instructors "out there" who can give you some ideas about what you will be learning? There's at least one, for sure: the instructor who will be teaching the class you're signed up for. I'd suggest that's the place to start.

Anyone who tells you to "wait and see" is giving you ridiculous guidance, and if it's the instructor teaching you class who tells you that... run the other way!

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Agree with rjp. Tell the instructor you want an outline of the class. Subjects covered, dives, equipment provided, and a copy of the standards that the class is to be taught to. All reasonable requests and should be easily acquired. If they can't or won't supply those items tell em to forget it. I know what is going to be covered in any class I am even thinking of taking. And I let students know before accepting any payment what they can expect. That's just good ethics.

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[reghunnicutt]

I took the Padi course two years ago from an instructor I knew and trusted. There was no written material. It consisted of a half day of equipment knowledge of side mount, a half day of pool and skills with side mount and two open water dives with side mount.

We covered fins kicks, equipment failure and shutdown, buddy breathing, and through knowledge of equipment and technique.

I learned on the Dive Rite Nomad system. I dive side mount today.

 

[Progen]

I took the Padi course two years ago from an instructor I knew and trusted. There was no written material. It consisted of a half day of equipment knowledge of side mount, a half day of pool and skills with side mount and two open water dives with side mount.

We covered fins kicks, equipment failure and shutdown, buddy breathing, and through knowledge of equipment and technique.

I learned on the Dive Rite Nomad system. I dive side mount today.

Thanks! This was sort of what I wanted to know, buddies.

By the way, reghunnicutt, which Nomad system did you use? I'm thinking of getting the Nomad LT since I live in the tropics.

 

[reghunnicutt]

I bought the new Nomad XT because I wanted the back mount option. I also bought the back mount weight kit and it really trims me out well. For me I put the weights high on the back and it compensates for my lungs and a few pound on the al80s and I am good to go in a 3 mil in salt. In a dry suit I have to use weight on the front and back. I thread weight pockets on the 2 inch belt webbing and hang some on the upper d rings.

The XT system has so many tweaks available to fit your body type and style of diving.

---------- Post added April 18th, 2013 at 05:09 PM ----------

The LT should be fine in the tropics. I needed the lift for cold quarry conditions and it worked just dandy in St Croix too.


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[Progen]

Thanks again, reghunnicutt!