Sidemount diving was originally a form of diving born from necessity in cave diving and other overhead environment situations such as wrecks where space is limited. It’s nothing new and has been around since the 1980’s. But don’t think it’s just for cave diver it’s for all types of diving from Open Water Boat diving, shore, wreck or just about anywhere.

Over the years, sidemount has become available to the mainstream ocean diver as a desirable configuration as several gear maufacturers have specific harnesses and BC’s, such as the DiveRite Nomad XT, our preferred sidemount rig, which although designed specifically with sidemount in mind it’s capable of being used for single and twinned back mounted cylinders. The CEO of Diverite, Lamar Hires, literally wrote the book on side mount and authored the very first course – so we reckon he knows a thing or two about it. The Nomad is the result of decades of diving experience producing the very best system.

More and more divers are turning to the advanced Nomad system because it truly allows them to have a rig that can handle every type of gear configuration. No upgrades needed in the future as you diving style changes.

Diverite constantly update and review the equipement and are by far the leading innovators in technical diving equipment. Diverite were the first commercial manufacturer of a steel backplate, the first with a dedicated sidemount rig along with a whole string of leading concepts.

Sidemount makes life easy for the travelling diver who wishes to take a redudant supply on a dive or may not have access to or be inclined to want to use a manifolded twinset – just get two tanks and your set ! Don’t need to take two cylinders or don’t wish to ? Why backmount that single tank at all and just dive it single sidemount ! It’s the open circuit gear configuration of choice of our instructors and is particularly suited to diving logistical conditions here in Australia. We even sidemount the bail out cylinders when we are diving rebreathers.

Sidemount should be of particular interest to solo divers or those considering the SDI Solo Diver Course. Perfect for photographers, videographers or those whose diving choices mean that they need to be a self reliant diver able to plan and complete a solo dive without a buddy.

We offer a recreational level course in Sidemount from SDI which covers the basics of sidemount diving and configurations, to the technical diving sidemount course offered by TDI which is a more comprehensive program which covers more advanced skillsets and prepares the student for sidemount use in other TDI courses, such as Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures as well as overhead environment situations such as wrecks and caverns and should be considered an alternative entry pathway into technical diving over a traditional back mount twinset Introduction to Tec course.

Sidemount is preferred by our instructors, and although we’re happy to teach in traditional backmount manifolded twinsets, any of courses can be taught in sidemount configuration rather than backmount. Either combine the SDI or TDI Sidemount course with any other program, or show us you have sidemount experience and a solid skill set and you’re set to sidemount your way into technical training.

Why do you need sidemount training ?

Many divers take the view that sidemount diving is just slinging the cylinders as they would a stage and just going for a swim. This very much not the case. Sidemount diving requires proper rigging of cylinders, correct regulator configurations, proper weighting and a skill set for dealing with emergencies as well as simply things which are different when you have tanks at your side. Sidemount diving evolved from necessity over time and the some of the skills which have been gained from experience would be foolish to attempt to self educate. The TDI Sidemount course is an entry level pathway to further technical training in sidemount configurations, whilst the SDI Sidemount program offers training in a skillset more suited to those with purely recreational sport diver needs.

Why the Dive Rite Nomad ?

We think the Dive Rite Nomad offers the single best manufacturers solution with a complete range to adapt suit different needs . Offered in an XT, a fully modular version, capable of sidemount, backmount twins and singles, an EXP – a non modular version of the same, and a JT – hardcore backmount only wing. Together with accessories in stock to make your rig uniquely yours such as weight plates for the rear, ring bungee mounts (a massive improvement on just a piece of bungee over a valve), tank neck chokers and many other things just to make sidemount an easy and elegant lifestyle and technical diving solution.

A proven technical diving and cave diving heritage supported by one of the best names in advanced diving today, we exclusively teach on the Nomad. That’s not to say that your not welcome to use a different manufacturers product with your training (provided it meets strict criteria for safety), just it’s our harness and wing of choice and the system we know we can offer the very best manufactureres support for as Queenslands premier Dive Rite dealer.