MULTISTAGE SIDEMOUNT DIVER
The PSAI Advanced Sidemount course at the Open Water level aims to teach proper handling of two sidemount cylinders and stage cylinders (in the quantity determined by the candidate's qualifications) during dives in open water. The course will cover equipment configuration, its components, their proper maintenance, as well as procedures and techniques characteristic of the sidemount configuration enriched with additional stage cylinders.
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
- Two cylinders (steel cylinders with right- and left-hand valves are recommended) equipped with appropriate mounting hardware.
- Oxygen-clean stage cylinder(s)
- 2 first-stage regulators for the primary cylinders, one equipped with a 2 m hose.
- 1 or 2 oxygen-clean regulator sets for stage cylinders (depending on the diver’s certification level).
- Two pressure gauges for the primary cylinders and two oxygen-clean pressure gauges for the stage cylinders, all equipped with 10–15 cm hoses.
- Sidemount harness with buoyancy compensator wing
- Suitable exposure suit for the diving conditions (a dry suit is highly recommended)
- Depth and Time Measuring Device
- Dive lights suitable for the course conditions (minimum 2 light sources)
- 2 dive computers
- Backup mask
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) with spool
- Dive slate with pencil
PREREQUISITES:
Each candidate must hold Basic Sidemount Diver certification and have current medical examinations.
LECTURE TOPICS:
- Sidemount – History
- Sidemount – Today
- Sidemount Equipment Configuration
- Configuration and Capabilities
- Gas Management
- techniki trymu
- Practical In-Water Skills
COURSE DURATION:
- Approximately 2–3 hours of classroom lectures
- Minimum 60 minutes of pool training or training in pool-like confined water conditions.
- Minimum 3 open water dives to a maximum depth corresponding to the candidate’s certification level, with a minimum total bottom time of 75 minutes. Only the third dive may be planned and conducted as a decompression dive, provided that the student holds the appropriate certification for decompression diving.
