Learn to Dive with Comfort, Flexibility, and Total Control

Welcome to the Recreational Sidemount Course — a complete training programme to master one of the most versatile and comfortable diving configurations available.

Discover the unique advantages of Sidemount diving and learn how to dive safely and efficiently with cylinders mounted on your sides. Whether for recreational or technical diving, Sidemount is an exciting way to improve trim, buoyancy, and flexibility underwater.

Course Prerequisites

To enrol in the Recreational Sidemount Course, you must hold at least:

Course Structure — Three Parts

1. Theory and Dry Practical Workshop

  • Introduction to Sidemount diving and history
  • Equipment configuration: BCD, regulators, and cylinders
  • Dry practice of Sidemount procedures

2. Confined Water Sessions 1 and 2 (Pool or Sea)

Learn and practice essential skills, including:

  • Cylinder donning and doffing techniques (on land and in water)
  • Trim and buoyancy control
  • Regulator switching (one-handed and two-handed techniques)
  • Backup mask exchange
  • Modified safety drills and valve drills
  • Handling regulator second stage failures
  • Advanced finning techniques:
    • Alternate kick, modified alternate, frog kick, modified frog kick, back frog, helicopter turns
  • Cylinder removal and replacement
  • Static and dynamic safety drills
  • Long hose repositioning (partial and total)
  • Swimming with tanks in front
  • Rescue procedures
  • Surface marker buoy (SMB) deployment

3. Open Water Dives 3 and 4 in the Portofino Marine Protected Area (AMP)

Dive 3:

  • Pre-dive checks
  • Water entry from the boat with left cylinder worn and right in hand
  • Bubble check at the surface
  • Trim and buoyancy control
  • Modified safety and valve drills at 5 m
  • Dive following planned profile
  • Pressure gauge monitoring
  • Rescue practice at the surface

Dive 4:

  • Pre-dive checks
  • Water entry and cylinder donning
  • Bubble check at the surface
  • Trim and buoyancy control
  • Dive following planned profile
  • Pressure gauge monitoring
  • Simulated failures and problem solving
  • SMB deployment
  • Controlled ascent with buddy
  • Long hose repositioning at 5 m and final ascent at 1 m per minute

Course Duration

3 to 4 days, depending on student preparation and progression

Course Price and What’s Included

Price: €600 per person

  • Full Sidemount equipment provided
  • Theory sessions and dry workshops
  • Confined water training
  • Two open water dives in the Portofino Marine Protected Area

Why Learn Sidemount Diving?

  • Greater comfort — no heavy tank on your back
  • Improved buoyancy and trim
  • Increased safety with two independent tanks
  • Perfect for recreational and technical diving

Ready to Dive Sidemount?

For more information or to enrol in the Recreational Sidemount Course, write to us at: cecilia@dgportofino.com

Discover the freedom of Sidemount — with Diving Group Portofino!