SIDEMOUNT DIVING IN FRANKFURT
The elegant, versatile, and safe way to dive—give it a try or learn from scratch.
Sidemount has its origins in cave diving and is becoming increasingly popular in recreational and wreck diving, as well as in technical diving. The reasons are compelling: redundancy, easy access to the valves, efficiency, control, expandability, flexibility, perfect trim, and an underwater aesthetic that is second to none.
Unlike the traditional backmount, sidemount is a system that you don't simply wear but interact with, and it requires very specific equipment.
However, sidemount diving must be learned properly—with a solid foundation of knowledge, plenty of hands-on practice, and personalized instruction. That’s exactly why we offer three programs tailored to your needs.
All sidemount courses at the Frankfurt Dive Center are taught by an experienced sidemount instructor who specializes exclusively in this field.
Maximum number of participants: 2, to ensure full attention and maximum learning success.
DISCOVER SIDEMOUNT — THE TRIAL DIVE
An afternoon or evening at the indoor pool where you’ll experience what it feels like to float perfectly in the water. Suitable for motivated divers with at least an Open Water Diver certification who are curious about sidemount diving.
Procedure
Meet us at the dive center. The sidemount instructor will introduce you to the equipment and set it up individually for each participant. This will be followed by the dive orientation and briefing.
At the indoor pool, you’ll dive under constant guidance and supervision—with the smile that’s practically guaranteed when sidemount diving. After about an hour underwater and plenty of tips from the instructor, you’ll have a clear sense of whether sidemount diving is your thing.
Equipment
Provided by:
XDEEP Stealth 2.0TEC Harness with buoyancy compensator and SCUBA FORCE sidemount regulator set, including sidemount tanks—choose aluminum or steel, whichever is best for your needs.
Requirements
At least Open Water Diver
Fitness for diving
Swimming skills
Duration & Format
A Saturday afternoon · Max. 2 participants · Dates to be arranged individually
PRICE: €159 per person.
PADI SIDEMOUNT SPECIALTY
A basic introduction to sidemount diving, including certification and e-learning.
3 days of sidemount training, including a theory session, a pool session, and 4 open-water dives.
You'll work through the basic theory on your own online. You'll learn about sidemount equipment and how to set it up correctly.
During the open-water days, you'll learn how to handle sidemount logistics, as well as the basic skills:
Loading and Unloading the Bottles
Proper Lead Removal and Trimming
Gas Management and Balancing the Cylinders
Basic Fins-Kicking Techniques
Resolving Potential Problems
Procedure
Day 1 — Dive Center. Theory session, review of the e-learning material, introduction to and fitting of the sidemount equipment. This is followed by the orientation and briefing for the first sidemount dive. Then, a dive in the indoor pool.
Days 2–3 — Open water. Onshore workshop before diving. In-water training. Debriefing with any necessary adjustments to the setup.
Equipment
Bring your own sidemount gear, or it can be provided (rental fees apply):
XDEEP STEALTH 2.0 TEC Harness with bladder and SCUBA FORCE Sidemount regulator set including sidemount tanks; choose the best option based on your needs: aluminum or steel.
Recommended: Dry suit
Requirements
At least Open Water
Fitness for diving
Swimming skills
Duration & Format
3 days, max. 2 participants; dates to be arranged individually.
PRICE: €549 per person for 1 course participant (VIP)
€499 per person for 2 course participants
SIDEMOUNT Basics
This is the basic sidemount training, which goes far beyond the usual specialty certifications:
5 days of intensive training with personalized guidance on assembling, configuring, and adjusting your own harness and all other sidemount components, in-depth sidemount theory, onshore workshops, open-water practice, and video analysis.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Equipment Setup, Configuration, Adjustment, and Fine-Tuning of Your Sidemount Gear
Different options for choosing and configuring sidemount equipment; selecting the optimal components
Different Scuba Tanks and Their Behavior and Effects in the Water
Various techniques for placing and removing the bottles
Various techniques for entering and exiting the water
Precise determination of the amount of lead, positioning, and trim
Methods for getting in and out, and for loading and unloading the tanks
Different finning techniques
Perfectly balanced, motionless hovering (horizontal “suspension”)
Working with tanks and hoses underwater while in trim
emergency scenarios
Gas management, SAC rate, dive planning
Conducting dive planning as a team, team communication
Breakdown and Failure Scenarios
Lots of practical tips and tricks
Optional: If your diving level, skill level, and time allow: putting on and taking off equipment, and diving with a stage (third tank)
Procedure
Day 1 — Dive Center: Theory and equipment setup. Rigging the tanks, configuring the regulators, assembling the equipment, and adjusting your own harness with personalized guidance and support from the sidemount instructor. Coordinating all components.
Day 2 — Indoor Pool. A full day at the indoor dive center. Land-based workshop , in-water training, and initial video analysis. Fine-tuning the equipment.
Days 3–5 — Open Water: Daily shore-based workshop before diving, in-water training, followed by video analysis with possible adjustments to the setup.
Video analysis included
All dives are recorded on video (optional) and reviewed together. This type of analysis and evaluation is the most effective and maximizes the learning experience. You’ll receive the recordings after the course—they’re an integral part of the program.
Requirements
At least Open Water Diver
valid medical certificate for diving
Swimming skills
For the basic course, you'll need your own sidemount gear. As a course participant, you'll receive a 10% discount on all sidemount components—from harnesses to regulators to tanks. We’d be happy to help you choose the right setup.
Recommended: Dry suit
Duration & Format
5-day intensive course · Max. 2 participants · Dates, schedule, and open-water locations to be arranged individually
Upon completion of the Sidemount Fundamentals course, you have the option to earn the Sidemount Diver Specialty certification (additional certification fees apply).
PRICE: €1,299 per person for 1 course participant (VIP)
€990 per person for 2 course participants.
