PADI Tec Sidemount Diver Course in Komodo
Configure a technical sidemount rig, start with two cylinders and learn to carry, switch and manage additional stage cylinders — the configuration you can then use on your PADI Tec 40 and Tec 45 courses.
PADI 5★ IDC Dive Resort · Resident Course Director and PADI Tec Instructor Trainer · Labuan Bajo
PADI Tec Sidemount at a glance
Cylinders
Start with two sidemount cylinders, then add at least two stage cylinders.
Training sessions
One confined-water session in our pool, then four open-water dives.
Minimum logged
Advanced Open Water, 18 years or older; Enriched Air recommended.
Divers per instructor
Time to fine-tune your rig and trim dive after dive.
How the PADI Tec Sidemount course works
Knowledge development, a confined-water session to build and balance the rig, then four open-water dives with progressively more cylinders.
Technical divers always carry more than one cylinder. Sidemount places them along your sides instead of on your back: easier to reach, easier to check, and flexible enough to clip on extra stage or decompression cylinders. PADI Tec Sidemount Diver teaches you to do that properly, with a configuration built for technical diving rather than for a single recreational dive.
You can take it as a stand-alone course before Tec 40, or integrate it with your Tec 40 or Tec 45 training so that you learn decompression diving directly in sidemount.
Knowledge development
PADI eLearning and sessions with your instructor.
- Advantages and limits of sidemount for technical diving
- Harness, bungee and cylinder rigging
- Gas management with several independent cylinders
- Stage and decompression cylinder handling
- Equipment considerations and dive planning
Confined-water session
Build, adjust and balance your rig in our on-site training pool.
- Fitting the harness and positioning cylinders
- Trim and buoyancy with two cylinders
- Regulator switches and valve checks
- Adding and removing a stage cylinder
- Out-of-gas and problem-solving drills
Four open-water dives
Dives in Komodo National Park, adding cylinders as you progress.
- Two sidemount cylinders, then at least two stage cylinders
- Entries and exits from the boat with a full rig
- Gas switching and cylinder rotation
- Surface marker deployment with a technical rig
- Certification as PADI Tec Sidemount Diver
Sidemount Diver or Tec Sidemount Diver?
Two PADI courses, two different goals.
PADI Sidemount Diver (recreational)
For divers who want the comfort and trim of sidemount on recreational dives, with one or two cylinders. Open Water Diver is enough to start.
PADI Tec Sidemount Diver (technical)
For divers heading towards Tec 40 and beyond: a technical configuration with stage cylinders, gas switching and the procedures you will use on decompression dives. Advanced Open Water and 30 logged dives required.
A typical Tec Sidemount programme
Plan two to three days in Labuan Bajo. The rhythm follows your progress and the sea conditions.
From your first rig set-up to four cylinders
Sites and timings are chosen on the day with your instructor according to tides, currents and your comfort.
Tec courses are scheduled on request, not on fixed dates: tell us when you plan to be in Komodo and we confirm whether we can run the course then.
PADI Tec Sidemount price
Live price in Indonesian rupiah. PADI eLearning, certification and Komodo National Park fees for the training dives are included.
PADI Tec Sidemount Diver
Knowledge development, 1 confined-water session and 4 open-water dives
- PADI eLearning and knowledge development
- Confined-water session in our training pool
- 4 open-water dives in Komodo National Park
- Komodo National Park fees for the training dives
- Dive computer for the course
- PADI Tec Sidemount Diver certification
PADI Tec 40 Diver
Your first planned decompression dives, in sidemount if you wish
- Limited-decompression dives to 40 metres
- One decompression cylinder up to EANx 50
- 4 training dives in Komodo National Park
- Can be integrated with Tec Sidemount
Sidemount harness, cylinders and regulators are arranged with us when you book — tell us what you own and what you need. Accommodation is not included; rooms at the resort can be added to any course.
PADI Tec Sidemount prerequisites
These are the PADI standards; we check them with you before confirming your dates.
Certification
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent. PADI Enriched Air Diver is recommended, and is required if you continue to Tec 40.
Experience and age
At least 30 logged dives and 18 years or older. Recreational sidemount experience helps but is not required.
Medical
A diver medical form signed by a physician within the last 12 months is required for technical training.
Comfort in current
Komodo dives are in current. Good buoyancy and calm reactions matter; your instructor assesses them in the pool and on the first dive.
Why train Tec Sidemount with Dragon Dive Komodo
Your course is run by our resident PADI Course Director, who is also a PADI Tec Instructor Trainer, at a PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Resort founded in Labuan Bajo in 2016.
Sidemount configurations and 15-litre cylinders are in stock, four Bauer electric compressors fill on site, and the training pool is a few steps from the classroom — so you can rebuild and re-balance your rig as many times as it takes. When you are ready, the full PADI Tec path continues at the same resort.
FAQ — PADI Tec Sidemount in Komodo
What is the PADI Tec Sidemount Diver course?
It is the PADI technical diving course for sidemount configuration. You learn to rig and dive two sidemount cylinders, then to carry and manage at least two additional stage cylinders, with the gas-management and problem-solving procedures used in technical diving.
What are the prerequisites for Tec Sidemount?
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent, at least 30 logged dives, 18 years or older and a physician-signed medical form. PADI Enriched Air Diver is recommended.
How many dives and how many days does it take?
Knowledge development, one confined-water session and four open-water dives. Plan two to three days in Labuan Bajo.
What is the difference with the recreational PADI Sidemount Diver course?
Recreational Sidemount Diver covers one or two cylinders for no-decompression diving and only requires Open Water. Tec Sidemount Diver adds stage cylinders, gas switching and technical procedures, and prepares you for Tec 40 and Tec 45 in sidemount.
Can I combine Tec Sidemount with Tec 40?
Yes. PADI allows the Tec Sidemount course to be integrated with Tec 40 or Tec 45. Tell us your certifications and dates and we propose the most efficient programme.
Do I need my own sidemount equipment?
No. We have sidemount configurations and 15-litre cylinders on site. If you own a harness or regulators, bring them and we set them up with you.
What is included in the price?
Instruction, PADI eLearning, the confined-water session, four open-water dives, Komodo National Park fees for those dives, a dive computer and certification. Accommodation is not included.
Ready to dive technical sidemount in Komodo?
Send us your travel dates and your certifications. We confirm whether we can run the course during your stay and what equipment you need to bring.
