Technical training

Sidemount Diver

Carrying cylinders at your sides — redundancy, streamlining and access through restrictions.

Sidemount configuration mounts cylinders along the diver's sides rather than on the back, which provides full gas redundancy with independent cylinders and a lower, more streamlined profile.

It originated in cave diving, where restrictions make a backmounted twinset impractical, and has since become popular well beyond that context — including with recreational divers who simply find it more comfortable.

It also allows a diver to don and doff cylinders in the water, which matters for shore entries, boat ladders and anyone with back or shoulder issues.

Cave diving, represented by an AI-generated editorial image.

Track	Technical
Prerequisites	Advanced Open Water or equivalent; Good buoyancy and trim; Some agencies require Nitrox
Agency equivalents	PADI: Sidemount Diver · SSI: Sidemount Diving · TDI: Sidemount Diver · RAID: Sidemount

What it teaches

sidemount harness setup and cylinder rigging
gas switching between independent cylinders
trim and buoyancy with side-mounted cylinders
valve and regulator management
donning and doffing cylinders in water
propulsion techniques for restricted spaces

Why divers choose it

Independent cylinders mean a failure affects only half your gas. Streamlining improves in restricted spaces. Cylinders can be removed and handed through a restriction.

For divers with back problems, carrying two cylinders separately to the water rather than one heavy twinset is a decisive practical advantage.

Gas management differs

With independent cylinders, a diver must switch regulators regularly to keep the cylinders balanced, both for gas reserves and for trim.

It is a discipline that becomes automatic quickly but has to be learned deliberately — a sidemount diver who forgets to switch ends the dive with one full and one empty cylinder.

Where this qualification matters in Australia

Sites where holding this certification genuinely changes what you can do — not a list of everywhere it is accepted.

Tank CaveOne of the longest underwater cave systems in Australia — advanced CDAA qualification only.Kilsby's SinkholeA limestone sinkhole with water so clear the experience is closer to flying than diving.Piccaninnie PondsA karst spring of extraordinary clarity, with the Cathedral chamber and a chasm beyond 100 metres.

Natural next steps

Courses that build directly on this one.

Cave DiverFull overhead penetration diving, where direct ascent is not available at any point.Advanced NitroxHigh-oxygen decompression gases and oxygen-clean equipment — not ordinary recreational Nitrox.Decompression ProceduresPlanning and executing dives with a mandatory decompression obligation.

Courses that lead here

Wreck DiverDiving wrecks safely, and understanding where external touring ends and penetration begins.Peak Performance BuoyancyThe short course with the biggest effect on how good a diver you actually are.Cavern DiverDiving within the light zone of an overhead environment — the first genuine step into overhead training.Cave DiverFull overhead penetration diving, where direct ascent is not available at any point.Advanced NitroxHigh-oxygen decompression gases and oxygen-clean equipment — not ordinary recreational Nitrox.

Agency versions of this course

The same qualification under different names. All are mutually recognised by operators.

PADITaught as “Sidemount Diver”.SSITaught as “Sidemount Diving”.TDITaught as “Sidemount Diver”.RAIDTaught as “Sidemount”.

Centres documented as offering this level of training

Businesses where the relevant capability is verified or advertised. Always confirm the specific course directly.

Dive Dive DiveA long-standing Brisbane business associated with technical training alongside recreational courses, retail and servicing. Technical capability should be audited service by service rather than assumed.Dive Centre ManlyA Northern Beaches operation with a long-standing presence at Shelly Beach, offering recreational training, boat diving and technical pathways.Frog Dive SydneyA long-established Sydney business associated with recreational and technical training alongside retail and workshop services.Abyss Scuba DivingA Sydney operation associated with training across recreational and technical levels, boat diving and equipment services.Dive Centre BondiAn Eastern Suburbs operation providing recreational training, local diving and technical pathways.Academy of ScubaA Melbourne training business offering recreational courses with technical pathways.Diveline Scuba CentreA Victorian business associated with technical training and gas support alongside recreational courses.AquabilityA Victorian operation associated with technical diving training. Exact agency, course levels and gas support require verification.Bay City ScubaA Victorian business associated with recreational and technical training alongside equipment and gas services.Ocean DiversA Victorian operation associated with recreational and technical training and access to Port Phillip diving.Snorkel & Dive Safari AltonaA Melbourne retail and training business, listed among Victorian operations associated with technical services.All About ScubaA Victorian training operation listed among those associated with technical diving. Capability requires verification.

Frequently asked questions

Is sidemount only for cave divers?

No. It originated in caves but is now widely used recreationally and in wreck diving, and many divers prefer it purely for comfort and redundancy.

Can I use sidemount for recreational dives?

Yes, and many divers do. The configuration provides redundancy that a single-cylinder setup does not.