I have no doubt that a GOOD sidemount class would. I've yet to actually see a syllabus of an Open Water Sidemount class that actually list what you are expected to learn. So my opinion above was based purely on my own attempts at learning to sidemount dive learning as I go.
Knowledge development covers what you'd expect: pros/cons/approaches/theories of use/gas management etc. There is an emphasis on weighting, buoyancy, trim and propulsion that is absent in other (recreational level) PADI courses.
A practical application: Demonstrating the general setup, preparation and adjustment of a sidemount rig, including two cylinders, harness, BCD and accessories. Lots of instructor flexibility with this. Some instructors have a specific approach, others tailor for the student's needs. Some instructors have too little experience/expertise...and this flexibility enables them to teach without any methodological approach whatsoever..
Basic skill requirements are (confined water):
1. Assemble, don and adjust the sidemount equipment that will be used on the dive.
2. Demonstrate an appropriate sidemount entry into water shallow enough in which to stand and donning sidemount cylinders in the water.
3. Inflate the BCD to establish buoyancy, swim on the surface into water too deep in which to stand, perform a buoyancy check, and adjust for proper weighting.
4. Execute a five-point descent as a team and perform a descent check and bubble check.
5. Locate both SPGs and indicate the gas supply in each to the instructor and buddies.
6. Throughout the dive, in two-cylinder sidemount, manage gas by switching second stages as planned before the dive.
7. Establish neutral buoyancy and swim using flutter kicks and frog kicks (unless it is not possible for the student due to a physical limitation), with a buddy, 24
metres/80 feet to assess balance and trim, to make adjustments as required, and to develop/confirm familiarity with both kicks.
8. Recover and clear the second stage from behind/below the cylinder.
9. In two-cylinder sidemount, remove and release the second stage of one cylinder, secure the second stage of the other, clear it and begin breathing from
it, then recover the first second stage.
10. Establish neutral buoyancy and hover using breath control for at least one minute.
11. Respond to a simulated out-of-gas emergency as both the donor and as the receiver by sharing gas with a long hose second stage, then swimming 15
metres/50 feet maintaining contact with a buddy.
12. In two-cylinder sidemount, respond to a simulated failed regulator or failed cylinder valve by switching second stages (if necessary to maintain a breathing supply) and shutting down the simulated affected cylinder valve, within 60 seconds.
13. With a buddy, perform a safety stop in midwater for three minutes, not varying from the stop depth by more than 2 metres/7 feet.
14. Surface in water too deep in which to stand, establish positive buoyancy, remove the cylinder(s) and exit the water.
15. Establish positive buoyancy, enter water too deep in which to stand and don cylinders, connecting the BCD and other inflators as appropriate for the
configuration in use.
16. Swim underwater for a distance of not less than 24 metres/80 feet, including at least one turn of 180 degrees and swimming backwards using only kicks
(unless doing so is impossible due to a physical limitation), without making contact with the bottom.
17. Disconnect the lower attachment of at least one cylinder, swing it in front with the upper connection in place, swim at least 18 metres/60 feet, then reconnect the lower attachment.
18. Execute a proper ascent, and exit the water (any method), then enter the water using a method in which the diver dons the cylinders before entry (giant stride,
seated back roll, etc.)
19. Throughout the session, respond calmly, correctly and appropriately to simulated emergencies presented by the instructor.
A further 3 open water dives allow reinforcement of key emergency drills; air-sharing etc, development of buoyancy/trim, varied water entries, gas management, cylinder manipulation in the water etc etc.
What items in your opinion are more, or just as important as tank rigging and gas management to effectively learn to dive sidemount in an open water environment?
For me, particular emphasis upon developing;
1) 'Fundamental' diving techniques: buoyancy, weighting, trim and propulsion. I aim for basic 'tech level' development of those core attributes.
2) Emergency drills and protocols, appropriately translated for the rig. Ingrained, not just 'known'.
3) Appropriate entry/exit techniques from shore, large boat, small boat, calm/rough water, drop-lines, kitting protocols, buddy checks etc etc
4) Cylinder trim and stability - the most common identifier of weak training.
5) Control, comfort and maneuverability - inverted drills, underwater 'aerobatics', solidity of configuration (hose tangles etc when twisting/rolling...)
Now take away all the stuff that would also apply to a backmount class like trim, buoyancy, propulsion techniques, and smb deployment (yes I ran across that as one of the skills) and what are you left with? Would you have to add any of those back in because sidemount would drastically change the way you approach trim, buoyancy, or propulsion compared to backmount?
It depends who we assume the 'basic' trainee to be. IF the student were well pre-researched in alternative methods, approaches etc... that'd give them an indication on potential configurations they might use. The instructor is still beneficial to help them select the appropriate choices however, and also offer refinements, feedback and assessments.
Likewise, if we assume a solid pre-existing level of dive skill; let's say Fundies tech-pass level, then the diver should find it relatively undemanding to translate their existing skill set to the new configuration.
That said, the
basic sidemount is only 4 dives (1xcw/3xow). That's not an unduly elongated time-frame. Even a well versed, competent diver can gain much during 2 days of tuition and refinement.
Most of the divers I train at basic sm aren't Fundies graduates however, and don't spend hours researching and discussing sidemount online. About 1/3rd of my students are 'pro level'...and even they benefit from some of the core aspects of training... Those coming from a tech background find it easier - but they normally opt for the tec-level sidemount courses (PADI Tec sidemount for those doing OW tech... the ANDI Sidemount more preferable for those with overhead environment needs...)
As others have said; the universal diving course constant applies - it depends greatly on the specific instructors expertise.