🤿 Sidemount is a configuration where the tanks sit on the sides of your body instead of on your back. At first it looks like just another way to arrange your gear. But PADI Sidemount Diver in Eilat actually gives a diver much more freedom, comfort and options underwater.
1. Double the air supply
Instead of one tank you have two — for example, two 12-litre tanks on your sides. Each tank has its own independent air-delivery system, and during the dive you alternate between them. That gives you more gas overall and, more importantly, real redundancy.
2. Safety and full control
The valves of both tanks are in front of you and easy to reach. Each tank has its own first and second stage regulator and its own SPG. You’re constantly monitoring your gear and your gas consumption — no reaching behind your back.
3. Flexibility when kitting up
With Sidemount you don’t have to enter the water fully rigged. The tanks can be clipped on in the water — especially useful for boat dives or awkward shore entries. From a boat you take a comfortable giant stride, then clip the tanks on and finish the setup in the water.
4. Comfortable body position underwater
A properly set-up Sidemount configuration lets you position your weight system and gear so your body stays as horizontal as possible. Your legs shouldn’t constantly sink or rise.
As a result, you don’t have to keep correcting your position with your fins — you hold the right trim and move forward smoothly.
5. Access to more interesting dive sites
Sidemount lets you plan longer dives with more confidence. For example, Pyramid in Eilat is about 350 metres offshore at a depth of around 30 metres. With a single tank that distance demands careful planning and tight gas management. With two 12-litre tanks you have significantly more gas, and the dive becomes much more comfortable.
6. Pairs perfectly with Deep Diver
Sidemount pairs especially well with the Deep Diver specialty. You get the option to plan deeper and longer dives, including multi-level profiles, down to a maximum of 40 metres — within the limits of your certification and training.
7. A solid base for technical diving
If you want to move toward technical diving, Sidemount is an excellent foundation. You’re already learning to work with two independent gas sources, manage consumption, monitor your configuration and hold correct trim. Next steps — Tec 45 and Tec 50.
And now for the most important part — the setup
You can buy the most expensive gear, assemble a good-looking configuration, and still end up with a completely uncomfortable Sidemount. Because Sidemount is above all a setup tailored to a specific diver.
Every person has their own height, weight, body proportions, tank size, weight distribution, buoyancy characteristics and swim technique. So Sidemount setup isn’t something you can do in a few minutes.
On my course we spend a lot of time on this — roughly 50% of the entire training. Step by step we tune the system to you, test it in the water and fine-tune what needs correcting.
And it really matters. Without a proper setup, Sidemount can turn from a comfortable, free-feeling configuration into a heavy, awkward, uncomfortable one.
In my experience, even many experienced divers who switch to Sidemount don’t always know how to set up their own configuration properly. They’ve completed the course but keep diving far less comfortably than they could.
It took me about 8 years to fine-tune my own system. Today I still spend a lot of time tuning my students’ setups. Because my job isn’t just to teach you to dive with two tanks on your sides. My job is to make your configuration truly yours — so you feel comfortable, confident, and can use everything Sidemount offers.
My approach to the Sidemount course
If you’ve decided to get the Sidemount Diver specialty and want more than just a certification — if you want to actually use all the advantages of this configuration — I’ll be glad to invite you to my Sidemount course in Eilat.
We’ll tune the system to you individually — to your body, your gear and your objectives. That’s what Sidemount should be: custom, comfortable and matched to your expectations.
FAQ — PADI Sidemount Diver course
What are the prerequisites?
PADI Open Water Diver (or equivalent) and a medical statement. At least 20 logged dives is recommended but not required.
How long does the course take?
Usually 3–4 days depending on pace. Half of that time goes into tuning the configuration to you — that’s deliberate.
Do I need to buy my own gear?
No, all equipment is provided for the course. If you decide to buy your own system afterwards, I’ll help you pick one that suits your goals.
What’s next after Sidemount?
You can move toward technical diving (Tec 45/50) or combine Sidemount with specialties like Deep Diver and Wreck Diver.
Ready?
🤿 Sidemount isn’t just two tanks on your sides. It’s freedom, control and a properly tuned system.
