Sidemount Diver Specialty
PADI Sidemount Diving in Gili Air - Streamlined, Adjustable, Redundant
Swap your single back-mounted cylinder for two side-slung tanks and discover a whole new way to move through the water. In the PADI Sidemount Diver course at Blue Marlin Dive Gili Air, you'll learn to configure, don and trim sidemount equipment, manage gas between two independent cylinders, and dive with the streamlined control that sidemount is known for - all under the guidance of our PADI Sidemount Diver Specialty Instructors.
Duration: 3 Days
Dives: 1 Pool & 3 Ocean
Age: 15+
Course Highlights
- Streamlined Equipment: Dive a low-profile rig with two cylinders worn along your sides instead of on your back.
- Professional Training: Learn from a PADI Sidemount Diver Specialty Instructor at Blue Marlin Dive.
- Redundant Air Supply: Two independent cylinders mean a built-in backup gas source on every dive.
- Adjustable Trim: Fine-tune your rig underwater for effortless, horizontal, drag-free swimming.
- Gili Reefs: Practice and refine your skills on the same reefs you'll use sidemount for every day after.
Prerequisites
- PADI Open Water Diver certification (or qualifying certification from another training organisation).
- Minimum age of 15 years.
- Good general health (have a look at this medical form to see if you are fit to dive).
What You Learn
- Sidemount Configuration: Assemble, don and adjust a harness, BCD and two cylinders for sidemount diving.
- Gas Management: Switch between cylinders and plan your turn pressure so you always have gas in reserve.
- Trim & Buoyancy: Balance your rig for a horizontal, streamlined position that protects the reef.
- Sidemount Kicks: Master the flutter and frog kick as used in sidemount configuration.
- Problem Solving:P ractice freeflow shutdowns, regulator switches and long-hose gas sharing.
What Your Day Looks Like
E-learning
Start your sidemount journey before you even set foot on Gili Air. PADI Sidemount Diver eLearning lets you study the theory of sidemount configuration, gas management and problem-solving at your own pace, online or offline, anytime, anywhere.
Got questions? Our instructors are only a message away.
Day 1 - Theory & Pool Session
Before heading to open water, you'll learn about sidemount and the equipment you will be using on the course, You will assemble and wear your sidemount rig in the pool, practice entries, buoyancy checks, gas switching, second-stage recovery, freeflow shutdowns and long-hose gas sharing in a controlled environment, so you're comfortable and confident before your first sidemount reef dive.
Duration: 1 Day
Day 2 - 3 Ocean Dives
During three open water dives around the Gili Islands, you'll build real sidemount experience: managing gas across two cylinders, refining trim and streamlining, practicing gas-sharing as both donor and receiver, and swimming with a cylinder extended forward. By Dive Three, you'll be diving sidemount with minimal instructor guidance, down to a maximum depth of 30 metres/100 feet.
Duration: 1 Day
