Sidemount Training?

[CavernFrog]

Is there some good training which specifically uses the sidemount doubles configuration? I am PADI Cavern certified but would like to deepen my knowledge and experience and also would like to switch to sidemount. Thanks for the advice.

 

[The Chairman]

Just go visit Edd Sorensen in Marianna Fl. No passport needed. No hassles. And... you'll have the premier sidemount instructor in the world. At least, that's my opinion.

 

[bamafan]

Is there some good training which specifically uses the sidemount doubles configuration? I am PADI Cavern certified but would like to deepen my knowledge and experience and also would like to switch to sidemount. Thanks for the advice.

Go to Mexico. There are only a handful of descent sidemount instructors in Florida. I would recommend the Protec guys or some of the Razor instructors. The cave divers being trained in Mexico generally look way better than the ones being trained in Florida. This is especially true in sidemount. Flights to Cancun are cheap and generally cost less than 4 or 5 tanks of gas if you can pick your dates wisely.

 

[scuba-flea]

I was quite impressed with Joe Seda in Florida. I did sidemount with him this past April and then cavern immediately following. You can find him on facebook under Sidemount Seda and he teaches Steve Martin's course from sidemounting.com where you can find videos to see if that is what you are looking for.

 

[Texasguy]

There is not much to sidemount knowledge wise, if you were diving for a while. I think it is less complicated than a drysuit. Most knowledge lies in experience and spending a lot of time with your rig to feel like it is a part of you. Mending the setup by dialing it up for your unique body needs (slim/fat, tall/short would have different tank placements).

The only a must is the initial config and knowing why it is configured this way. Understanding the choices is paramount. I guess you cannot do it by yourself and would need actual help with this from an instructor. (just choose someone who actually dives sidemount often)

There are a few different ways it can be setup, stages down or up, ring or no ring clip, bungee placement, gauges lollipop or flush to the tank... Thus, your initial setup would depend on what school of rigging that particular instructor affiliates himself with.

Thus, the British or North Floridian setups are different and better suited for different water temps. You'd have to realize where you'd be mainly diving and then chose a setup that compliments that particular geographic trend in sidemount.

Going to Mexico to learn sidemount would be poorly advised if the aim is to dive Florida's caves and vice-versa.

 

[АлександрД]

 

[northernone]

Enjoyable video.

I'd hate to be trying to get them through a restriction in a "Sidemount tunnel" : D ...or gear up for the 26kg buoyancy swing from full to empty.

 

[Superlyte27]

I am a sidemount instructor. If my neck injury earlier this year had made it so I couldn't teach ever again, and my 16 year old son asked me if he could take up cave diving in sidemount, the only person I would send him to would be Marissa.

Here's why....
Marissa is thorough and thoughtful in her approach to cave diving. She's patient and fun, but also serious about safety. Also, diving is truly a passion for her, it's not just a paycheck. Like me, even when there's no money involved, she's still diving with her friends and students for fun. There's a commitment to excellence in that. Yes, I realize that we don't always along, and with that info, you should trust the validity of this recommendation.

 

[rjack321]

. I guess you cannot do it by yourself and would need actual help with this from an instructor.

In part because you can't see yourself. Even watching yourself on video, unless you completely understand the "why" cylinders are behaving the way they are you will struggle to adjust them. Which is also why you going to any old weekend warrior "sidemount" instructor is a waste of your time and money.

 

[KevinNM]

Just go visit Edd Sorensen in Marianna Fl. No passport needed. No hassles. And... you'll have the premier sidemount instructor in the world. At least, that's my opinion.

I endorse this suggestion. He’ll rent you gear at reasonable rates and has something like 7 different sidemount rigs to try if you want.

But he just got a lot of hurricane damage, so it might take a while.