PADI Tec Sidemount Instructor Course

The PADI Tec Sidemount Instructor Course available in Phuket Thailand provides an introduction to the Sidemount equipment and techniques for tec diving. The course provides instruction in correct equipment configuration for using 2 sidemount cylinders for your primary gas supply, as well as 2 or more stage/deco cylinders. The course introduces the diver to the equipment-related motor skills and underlying knowledge for technical sidemount diving.

The Tec Sidemount Diver program is flexible, and may be a great starting point for a diver who is beginning the tec diving journey with no prior experience in tec diving or sidemount. It is also an proper course for an experienced tec diver who wants to gain the benefits of sidemount configuration, which include:

  1. Greater streamlining
  2. Ease of equipment transport
  3. Versatility
  4. Equipment availability
  5. Accessibility
  6. Adjustability
  7. Ease of problem-solving

The PADI Tec Sidemount Instructor Course prepares qualified instructor candidates to conduct the PADI Tec Sidemount Diver Course. The content includes the philosophy, organisation, practical considerations, promotion and other aspects of the Tec Sidemount Diver course.


advanced sidemount
tec sidemount

Instructor Prerequisites and Post requisites

To begin the PADI Tec Sidemount Diver Course, you must meet the following requirements:

  1. Be a renewed PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (or PADI Instructor with a higher rating)
  2. Be a PADI Enriched Air Instructor (or have successfully completed the PADI EANx Instructor training course)
  3. Be a PADI Deep Diver Instructor (or have successfully completed the PADI Deep Diver Instructor training course)
  4. Have a minimum of 100 logged dives, of which at least 20 were made with enriched air, 25 were deeper than 18m and at least 15 were deeper than 30m
  5. Be a PADI Tec 45 diver (or have a qualifying certification)
cave sidemount bluelabeldivingIMG_7832
PADI tec Sidemount instructor course

After successfully completing the PADI Tec Sidemount Instructor Course, you must meet the following criteria prior to submitting your application to PADI

  1. Be a PADI Tec Instructor (or TecRec Instructor with a higher rating)
  2. Be a PADI Tec Sidemount Diver (or have a qualifying certification). The PADI Tec Sidemount Diver course may be run with the instructor course
  3. Have logged at least 20 tec sidemount dives including 10 with 3 or more cylinders (2 main and 1 or more stage/deco cylinders)
  4. Have successfully completed the Tec Sidemount Instructor Course.

PADI Sidemount Equipment Requirements

Each Tec Sidemount Instructor Candidate is required to have a full set of dive equipment as detailed in the PADI Tec Sidemount Diver Instructor Guide. This includes the following items:

  1. BCD and harness configured for Technical Sidemount Diving. Please consult with the Course Director before the course.
  2. Four independent cylinders. We suggest that one of the cylinders have a left-handed valve.
    1. 2 cylinders of a size and type proper as main cylinders
    2. 2 cylinders of a size and type proper for stage/deco cylinders
  3. Independent regulator for each cylinder, each with a single second stage and SPG
    1. At least one second stage must be on a 1.5-2m long hose for gas sharing.
    2. We recommend the use of Omni Swivels for each second stage
    3. At least one regulator must be equipped with a low pressure inflator hose to supply the BCD.
    4. We recommend the SPGs be on 6″ hoses
  4. Other dive equipment as required by General Standards and Procedures.

PADI Tec Side Mount Instructor
PADI Tec Side Mount Instructor
Tec Sidemount Instr course
Tec Sidemount Instr course