Welcome to thePADI Sidemount Diver

Knowledge Workshop OW Dives

OverviewWhat is the objective for this

course?Difference between the PADI Basic

and Advance Sidemount and Limitation of both?

What is our course Schedules?

What is the objective for this course?

The purpose of this course is to familiarize the experienced, diver with the techniques, equipment and mindset required to safely conduct dives using side-mount cylinder configuration

Difference between the PADI Basic and Advance Sidemount and Limitation of both?Basic Sidemount Diver

Single cylinder configuration with an alternate air source connected to the first stage

Keep maximum depth streamline with training and experience

Minimum age 15 Two open water dives

Difference between the PADI Basic and Advance Sidemount and Limitation of both?Advance Sidemount Diver

Two single cylinder, with one second stage and pressure gauge connected to the first stage

Keep maximum depth streamline with training and experience

Minimum age 18 Four open water dives

What is our course Schedules?

Knowledge Development Equipment Workshop Open Water Training

OverviewWhat is the equipment

requirements for this course?What are presently use cylinder

configurations?What is the history of sm?Why use sm, and what are the

advantages and disadvantages?

Overview What are the summary of advantages? Is it safer than traditional configuration? What is the diving essentials for all form

of diving? What is the keep it simple Philosophy? Gas management

What is the equipment requirements for this course?Basic Sidemount Diver

Mask, Fins & Suitable Exposure Protection (snorkel optional) 1 Single Tank 1 Primary Regulator with one 2nd Stage , 1 pressure and 2nd stage alternate air source Primary 2nd stage hose 20 to 24 inches Sidemount Harness & BCD (approved by instructor prior to the course) Dive Tables, Depth Gauge & Dive Timer (or Dive Computer) Divers Tool or Knife Slate with Pencil Two Surface Signaling Devices (whistle & SMB or signal mirror) Reel & SMB (if required by local regulations) Compass Multi Pouch Or Pocket Redundancy Equipment (spare bungee, double ended bolt snap, cable ties and

mouthpiece) Helmet highly recommended

What is the equipment requirements for this course?Advance Sidemount Diver

Mask, Fins & Suitable Exposure Protection (snorkel optional) 2 Single Tank 2 Primary Regulator with one 2nd Stage and 1 pressure gauges on each 1 st stage 2 meter / 6 foot hose Sidemount Harness & BCD (approved by instructor prior to the course) Dive Tables, Depth Gauge & Dive Timer (or Dive Computer) Divers Tool or Knife Slate with Pencil Two Surface Signaling Devices (whistle & SMB or signal mirror) Reel & SMB (if required by local regulations) Compass Multi Pouch Or Pocket Redundancy Equipment (spare bungee, double ended bolt snap, cable ties and

mouthpiece) Helmet highly recommended

What are presently use cylinder configurations?Backmount

Single Independent doubles Double manifold Double manifold with isolator valve

Sidemount (SM) Worn in the side

What are presently use cylinder configurations?

No mount Used in exceptional circumstances, very tight

restrictions Hand carried Extreme form of diving Double manifold with isolator valve

What is the history of sm? First used in sumps in Uk by members of CDG In 1970’s Woody Jasper modified the English system, by

adding a jacket style BCD. For Cave exploration in Florida.

At present, with commercially available SM harness and BCD, sidemount diving has increase dramatically and sidemount diving is no longer preserve for cave explorers

In Europe Dragon and Martyn Farrs harness In 90’s Diverite / OMS release it’s transpac harness,

which could be use for SM

What is the history of sm?

2004 Golem Gear introduce the Armadillo, which was design by Florida cave divers

2006 Diverite introduce the Nomad for SM OMS is presently designing a SM harness

Why use sm, and what are the advantages and disadvantages?Why?

Comfort / personal choice Physical problem Ease of travel Safer option Logistical considerations Remote diving locations Difficult access

Why use sm, and what are the advantages and disadvantages?•Small cave / wreck

Equipment availability Solo diving Exploration

2.Advantages Valves and 1st stages more expose Valves and 1st stages out of site

Why use sm, and what are the advantages and disadvantages?

2.Advantages Valves and 1st stages more expose Valves and 1st stages more difficult to access Valves and 1st stages out of site Not as many solutions for potential failures

Why use sm, and what are the advantages and disadvantages?2.Advantages

You may loose the ability to access half of your gas

Less flexible configuration Valves and 1st stages out of site Not as many solutions for potential failures Free to movement

Why use sm, and what are the advantages and disadvantages?2.Disadvantages (following as often cited)

Extra training and practice required Extra task loading Less stable More difficult to control More difficult to standardize procedures More difficult to use from a boat or shore Not practical to use on land

What are the summary of advantages?

Safety Ease of use Flexibility Comfort

Is it safer than traditional configuration?YES

True gas redundancy Better protection of tanks, valves, 1st stages and

hand wheels Better visibility of above components Greater flexibility and better solutions for failures

and emergencies

Is it safer than traditional configuration?NO

Although SM diving is the safer configuration it allows you to get in to tighter areas which the inherent risk factors of the environment are much greater, like silkouts, entanglements, getting trap.

What is the diving essentials for all form of diving?

This are the foundation for all other skills

BuoyancyBalanceTrimPropulsionThis skills should be practice all time

What is the keep it simple Philosophy? Reduce – reduce - reduce Take only what you need, nothing extra Safe – ensure redundancy of all basic life support

equipment & critical safety equipment Streamline – eliminate all danglies & potential

entanglement hazards Customize hose length and streamline hose routings Reduce drag by correct weighting Position weights to achieve proper trim All equipment should be accessible – struggling causes

stress and useless

Follow this guidelines when configuring your equipment and you dives will be

more safe, more efficient, more comfortable, easier and less stressful,

and both your consumptions and awareness will improve.

Gas management Rule of thirds Switch more often Keep tanks balance Both tanks always on, fully open Avoid surprises ensure both regulator and valves

are proper working at all time If both tank has the same pressure always start

breathing from the right post If different pressure, start with highest pressure, in

order to balance them

Gas management

2nd stages clip off / stowed securely and detune when not in use

All 2nd stages should breathable without un-clipping in the even of an emergency

Optimal differential in pressure between tanks is 200psi / 10 bar to 1,000psi / 70 bar, through the dive. 200 psi recommended.

Gas managementCompute your low on air before the dive on none balance tanks, example:

1 tank is 2,700 psi and the is 3,200 psi Get the lowest pressure tank, in this 2,700psi And find the closest hole number divisible by 3 In this case is 900psi The rules of thirds – principle is to have one 3rd

reserve when on the surface So 900psi x 2 (only use 2 thirds to reach the

surface) = 1,800psi

Gas managementContinuation or previous problem

But you will be breathing first 600psi to balance out both tanks

To do this, 1,800 psi – 600 psi (to balance out) = 1,200 psi

Divided by 2 tanks. 1,200 psi / 2 tanks = 600psi Last thing 600 psi – 2,700 psi (total pressure of

lowest tank) 2,100 psi is your turn around pressure

Gas managementCompute your low on air before the dive on balance tanks, example:

1 tank is 3,100 psi and the is 3,100 psi Find the closest hole number divisible by 3 In this case is 1,000psi The rules of thirds – principle is to have one 3rd

reserve when on the surface So 3,100 psi (total pressure) – 1,000 psi = 2,100 psi

turn around pressure

EQUIPMENT WORKSHOP

Valves DIN 200 Bar recommended Left / right handed with stem Hand-wheel orientation face out Hand-wheel should be rubber Always fully open

Tank riggingTopSM bungee – will rotate the hand-wheel 45 degrees

BottomSS hose clamp (not bands)Swivel bolt snaps clips with cut-away connectionInner tube / elastomeric band for proper routing of hoses

RegulatorsAdvance SMDin 200bar recommendedSwivel turret for optimal hose routingEnvironmentally sealedLp pressure hoses 20/ 26”Short Lp hose with 90/120 elbow (no swivels), fitted with a collar should be shortSPG psi/bar, 6/9” HP hoseLPI hose for drysuit/ bcd 9/15”, compatible fittings

Primary side

Secondary side

RegulatorsAdvance SM All second stages delivers

from the right side of your neck

Excess long hose tucked in to the bungees in the tank

Long fitted with a bolt snap clip through a break away connection

Clip on the right shoulder d-ring when not in use

All regulators not in use should be detuned

RegulatorsAdvance SM Don Primary tank (left post) first ON

last OFF If tanks pressure balance breath

first from secondary tank Checks on the surface

1. Clip but clip to left hip d-ring (primary tank first)

2. Open the valve & check bubbles

3. Check pressure4. Attach collar to your neck5. Breath from second stage

6. Attach bungee to valve

RegulatorsAdvance SM Don Checks on the surface

1. Clip but clip to right hip d-ring (secondary tank)

2. Open the valve & check bubbles3. Check pressure4. Route the long over your

shoulder, right side delivery5. Breath from second stage6. Clip it to your left should d-ring7. Attach bungee to valve8. Remember to balance the tanks

to get equal tension of bungees in both tanks

RegulatorsBasic SM Din 200bar recommended Swivel turret on first stage in the

inner side Primary second stage hose 20/26”,

fitted with a short collar on you neck SPG psi/bar, 6/9” HP hose LPI hose for drysuit/ bcd 9/15”,

compatible fittings Two bungees / elastomeric band

fitted on the tank Alternate second stage fitted, routed

through the opposite side of the primary and tucked in bungees

Regulators

Basic SM Don Checks on the surface

1. Clip but clip to left hip d-ring

2. Open the valve & check bubbles

3. Check pressure4. Attach collar to your neck5. Breath from second stage6. Breath from alternate air

source

LightsPrimary Light 12w Led or 10W HID is a good

choice Hose length should be

sufficient to but mount the canister (5 ft recommended)

Canister should be positioned horizontally just bellow the but

Crotch strap should be positioned above the canister to keep it in place

LightsPrimary Light Light head delivers from the left

hand side Cord is run under the harness Best place to place the light

head is in your helmet for a hand free configuration. Also the highest point with SM is your head. Required if scootering

Clip off when not in use, through a break away connection and with a bolt snap clip

LightsPrimary Light When mounted in the helmet be

aware of blinding team members

When attention sign from your buddy, while turning block your light with your hand

When light is a basic life support equipment, use rule of thirds

This type are recommended for helmet

LightsBackup light When light are basic life equipment,

a backup light is required, 2 are recommended

Best positioned to store the light, is in the helmet. Already pointing to the right direction, and above the eyes, not to compromise peripheral vision

If helmet mounted switch lights If no helmet available, inside a pouch

but mounted with 2 double ended d-rings

Backup light should have a burn time of twice the planned time of the dive This type are recommended pouch

Other equipmentCutting devices 2 recommended in separate locations Should be small

Diving with back mounted divers Make sure that all diver’s are brief on gas sharing procedures

Top tank bungee cord Spare bungee cord with bolt snap clips at the end, store on the pouch

Open Water Dives

Basic SM Advance SM

Basic Sidemount Dive #1• Final adjustment to the SM harness and Wing• Don and adjust SM equipment in shallow water• Proper routing of hoses / regulator• Bubble check• Agreed in turn around pressure. (1/3rds)• Buoyancy check on the surfaceBubble check• Demonstrate s-drills• Using 5 point descent, demonstrate a controlled decent using a reference

line, to a depth not greater than 10 meters / 33 feet• While stationary, demonstrate the ability to hover in neutral buoyancy with

proper trim• Demonstrate the ability to make regulator switches and monitor gauges• Tour portion• Using 5 point ascent, demonstrate a controlled ascent• Debrief• Log the dive

Basic Sidemount Dive #2•Don and adjust SM equipment in shallow water or boat• Proper routing of hoses / regulators• Agreed in turn around pressure. (1/3rds)• Buoyancy check on the surface• Bubble check• Demonstrate Sdrills• Using 5 point descent, demonstrate a controlled decent using a visual reference, to a depth not greater than 14 meters / 40 feet• Demonstrate the following procedures for managing a free flowing regulator• Remove and replace al SM cylinder• Air sharing donor and receiver• Air sharing donor and receiver• Remove all equipment on the surface• Debrief• Log the dive

Advance Sidemount Dive #1• Final adjustment to the SM harness and Wing• Don and adjust SM equipment in shallow water• Proper routing of hoses / regulators• Bubble check• Agreed in turn around pressure. (1/3rds)• Buoyancy check on the surface• Demonstrate Sdrills• Using 5 point descent, demonstrate a controlled decent using a reference line, to a depth not greater than 10 meters / 33 feet• While stationary, demonstrate the ability to hover in neutral buoyancy with proper trim• Demonstrate the ability to make regulator switches and monitor gauges• Tour portion• Using 5 point ascent, demonstrate a controlled ascent• Debrief• Log the dive

Advance Sidemount Dive #2• Don and adjust SM equipment in shallow water or boat• Proper routing of hoses / regulators• Agreed in turn around pressure. (1/3rds)• BWRAF• Buoyancy check on the surface• Bubble check• Demonstrate Sdrills• Using 5 point descent, demonstrate a controlled decent using a visual reference, to a depth not greater than 14 meters / 40 feet• Demonstrate the following propulsion techniques while maintaining neutral buoyancy and horizontal trim: Frog kick, Flutter kick, Back kick and helicopter turn 360 degrees in both direction• Demonstrate the ability to access and deploy and use ambidextrously all equipment• Demonstrate the ability to access the chest, waist and thigh area of the body through the SM cylinder• Demonstrate the ability to make regulator switches and monitor gauges• Demonstrate the ability to perform a valve shutdown drill• Air sharing donor and receiver• Remove all equipment on the surface• Debrief• Log the dive

Advance Sidemount Dive #3• Make additional adjustment to the SM Harness and Wing• Don and adjust SM equipment in shallow water or boat• Proper routing of hoses / regulators• BWRAF• Buoyancy check on the surface• Agreed in turn around pressure. (1/3rds)• Bubble check• Demonstrate Sdrills• Using 5 point descent, demonstrate a controlled decent with out reference, to a depth not greater than 14 meters / 40 feet• Demonstrate the following procedures for managing a free flowing regulator• Remove and replace all SM cylinder, one at the time• Demonstrate the ability to make regulator switches and monitor gauges• Demonstrate the ability to perform a valve shutdown drill• Air sharing donor and receiver• Remove all equipment on the surface• Debrief• Log the dive

Advance Sidemount Dive #3• Don and adjust SM equipment in shallow water or boat• Proper routing of hoses / regulators• BWRAF• Buoyancy check on the surface• Agreed in turn around pressure. (1/3rds)• Bubble check• Demonstrate S-drills• Using 5 point descent, demonstrate a controlled decent with out reference, to a depth not greater than 30 meters / 100 feet unless Deep Specialty certified• Demonstrate proper buoyancy, trim and balance• Tour• Air sharing donor and receiver ascent• Remove all equipment on the surface• Debrief• Log the dive