Get your Sidemount Diving Specialty on Koh Tao
Why should I get Sidemount certified?
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Dive Differently with Sidemount!
Take the weight off your back and embrace the freedom of sidemount diving.
Why Sidemount? The Sidemount Diver Course teaches you to configure and use one or two cylinders mounted at your sides. This setup reduces back strain, improves streamlining, and offers an increased gas supply for extended dives.
Perfect for Adventure: Originally designed for cave diving, sidemount cylinders are easier to transport through rugged terrain, making them ideal for remote dive sites.
Personalized Training: Our experienced instructors teach in small groups, ensuring personalized attention. You’ll gain the confidence and skills to dive sidemount safely and comfortably.
8,250 THB
This is how you become a sidemount diver:
To accommodate for your holiday plans & time constraints we offer several schedule options, but in general, these are the parts of your training…
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Part 1: Theory & Harness Fitting
We will start off your training with the mandatory paperwork and an introduction of the schedule and ourselves.
The theoretical part of the course includes Knowledge Reviews, on the App or your browser.
Once you have completed your Knowledge Reviews, your Instructor will review these with you and give additional information needed before you progress to the next step.
From here you will begin to learn how to set up your harness configuration to suit you.
Part 2: Pool Practice
Adjusting to sidemount diving can feel quite different, which is why starting in the pool is so beneficial. This controlled environment allows you to focus on getting comfortable with your new configuration without the distractions of the open ocean.
During pool practice, you’ll refine your buoyancy and adjust your gear setup to achieve a perfectly horizontal trim. Once you’ve mastered your position, you’ll work on finning techniques, ensuring you’re ready to dive efficiently and confidently in the ocean. Pool training is the perfect preparation to make your transition to open water smooth and enjoyable.
Part 3: Open Water Dives
After mastering the basics in the pool, it’s time to put your sidemount training to the test in the open water. This session allows you to apply your skills in a real-world diving environment, further building your confidence and precision.
You’ll refine your trim position for a perfectly horizontal posture, ensuring optimal streamlining and control. Finning techniques will be a focus, helping you move efficiently while minimizing disturbance to the underwater environment.
In addition to safety procedures, you’ll practice attaching and detaching cylinders both on the surface and underwater, as well as proper techniques for smooth water entries and exits with your sidemount setup.
During the dives, you’ll monitor your Surface Air Consumption (SAC) rates to improve air efficiency, and work on deploying an SMB (Surface Marker Buoy) to ensure safe ascents and signaling.
This comprehensive open water experience equips you with the skills to dive sidemount confidently and effectively, setting the stage for more advanced diving adventures.
How it works …
To give you an idea of what your course will look like,
here is an example schedule:
DAY ONE
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1.00 PM Orientation
Theory
Harness Fitting and Configuration
DAY TWO
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Morning pool session
-
2 Afternoon dives
(Shallow dives)
DAY THREE
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2 Moring dives
(Deeper dives)
Midday finish!
However. It’s not all set in stone, you can just contact us to request a different schedule that fits you!
The Sidemount Diving Specialty Prerequisites:
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Minimum Certification Level
To become a Sidemount Specialty diver, you will have to be certified as a Open Water Diver (or hold an equivalent certification of another recognised training agency).
Minimum Age
The minimum age to sign up for the Sidemount Diving Specialty you will need to be 12 years old.
Medical Statement
You need to be medically fit for diving. You find the medical statement for scuba diving here to download. If in doubt, please check with your physician or ask us before booking your dive experience with us.
Insurance
To comply with our dive insurance requirements, you will need to have proof (logbook etc.) of a dive within the last 6 months otherwise you will need to take part in our Crystal Dive Scuba Review before taking part in the course to receive our insurance cover.
SIDEMOUNT DIVING SPECIALTY
Price: 8,250 THB
Duration: 2 days
Minimum age: 12 yrs
Prerequisites: Certified Diver
Schedule
Day 1: Orientation & Theory and Harness Fitting
Day 2: AM Pool PM 2 Dives
Day 3: 2 Dives (Midday Finish!)
What’s included?
Our Sidemount Diving Specialty package includes:
- Sidemount Diving Specialty (max. 4 students per Instructor)
- FREE use of Dive Computer
- Standard E-learning (Diamond Access upgrade available, read more)
- Certification
- Crystal Dive T-Shirt
- Multilingual personal instructor
- Boat trips & refreshments for your dives
- Dive insurance for your dives with us (30 days)
- Discounted accommodation option for the course duration, read more
- 10 % discount on additional diver level courses & dive equipment purchases with us
(Extra cost 3,000 THB for equipment hire)
BIG DISCOUNTS ON PRIVATE ROOMS
With all of our courses you can make use of our private AC rooms with huge discounts.
When you´re learning to dive its important that you get a good night of sleep. During the length of all courses you can check in to our accommodation with big discounts! Have a look at our latest deals and prices here.
Message us to look at upgrades and for more info click here.
Book Now
The Sidemount Diver Specialty Course at Crystal Dive Koh Tao will allow you to streamline yourself on your dives and gain the best trim.
In the Sidemount Diver Course you will learn how to prepare a rig, enter the water without heavy tanks on your back and use perfect buoyancy control that tanks on your side offer.
Relax even more on your dives and become a Sidemount Diver!
฿8,250
The Sidemount Diver Specialty will help you to streamline yourself and have perfect trim on your dives. As well you don’t need to walk around with heavy tanks on your back, but simply click them on in the water.
To become a Sidemount Diver you will have to be a Open Water Diver (or equivalent) and be at least 12 years of age.
(Extra 3000 THB cost for equipment hire)
Sidemount Diving Specialty
The Sidemount Diver Specialty will help you to streamline yourself and have perfect trim on your dives. As well you don’t need to walk around with heavy tanks on your back, but simply click them on in the water.
To become a Sidemount Diver you will have to be a Open Water Diver (or equivalent) and be at least 12 years of age.
(Extra 3000 THB cost for equipment hire)
FILM YOUR DIVES, KEEP THE MEMORIES
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Our underwater videography team, Crystal Images, is available to provide you with personal and lasting memories of your experience and offer unique underwater video and photo services for your course. You can choose from a 10 minute land and underwater based video or 10-15 high resolution photographs.
These options are available for your course and can be booked by clicking the button below and choosing the ‘video & photo’ option, in addition to your course booking.
Please ask us about group bookings and additional options on other courses.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I start my Sidemount Diver Specialty Course every day?
In general, yes. We start our courses any given day. To secure your desired start date, we recommend booking your Sidemount Specialty Course online here. This will guarantee your placement in a small group of maximum 4 students per instructor.
Is it possible to change the schedule for the Sidemount Diver Specialty Course?
Our schedules are flexible and we will do everything to adjust it to your travel plans. Please contact us to arrange for a schedule that suits you within the limits of the Sidemount Diver Specialty Course performance requirements.
What are the rates for accommodation?
For your Wreck Diver Specialty Course we offer accommodation in a private AC room (choice of Double or Twin) at a discounted rate for the standard course duration of 3 nights. There are also upgrade options available for the adjacent Koh Tao Regal or Beach Club Resort. More information here or just contact us directly.
What are the minimum requirements to start my Sidemount Diver Specialty Course?
The minimum requirements for you to enroll in the Sidemount Specialty Course are listed here. If you still have questions about specific requirements or an equivalent certification, please contact us directly.
How many students will be together with me in my Sidemount Diver Specialty Course?
We pride ourselves to teach our Sidemount Diver Specialty Course personal in groups of max. 4 students (2 for the penetration dive) per instructor. If you still prefer a smaller group or a private course please contact us directly. On the other hand, if you travel in a bigger group, please let us know and we will arrange for multiple instructors to teach you together.
Can I take a Go Pro on my dives for the Sidemount Diver Specialty Course?
You can take your own camera on any of the dives. Be aware though, that you may be busy with the tasks at hand. A better option may be to arrange for our in-house Video & Photo company Crystal Images to either take professional photos or a broadcast quality video of you on two of your dives on the Sidemount Diver Specialty Course. Please contact us or check out your options here.
What other courses can I take if I have some more time after my Sidemount Diver Specialty Course?
We have put together some recommendations for you under this link for dive activities that you may find interesting after or together with your Sidemount Diver Specialty Course. If you are interested in other activities, have a look at our shop and check out our multi-course packages as well.
Other Questions?
Please check out our general FAQ-Page which will answer most of your questions about Koh Tao, diving, weather conditions and everything else. Anything that cannot be answered there, please just contact us and we will get right back to you!
