TDI Unique Specialties Date:02/29/2012

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1. TDI – Advanced Sidemount Diver Course

1.1 Introduction
This course focuses on advanced sidemount diving techniques, applicable in overhead environment or
extreme conditions where the use of back-mounted cylinders is not an option.
As such, the TDI Advanced Sidemount Diver course is approached as a generic specialty, applicable to
overhead and non-overhead environments and can be combined with decompression techniques, mixed gas, CCR or
back-mounted twin cylinders to offer a more streamlined configuration. The course requires the deployment of
multiple stage cylinders, depending on the mixes/ volumes required. Course depth, gas mixes used or length of
penetration depend on the students’ current certification level at the time of enrolment. This course may be
combined with other TDI Diver level courses.

1.2 Qualifications of Graduates

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in multiple stage cylinders diving
activities without direct supervision so long as the limits of their other diving certifications as detailed by the
certifying agency are adhered to. For example; use of mixed gas, overhead environments, decompression diving,
CCR, etc.

1.3 Who May Teach

1. Any active TDI Advanced Sidemount Instructor may teach this course.
2. Instructor must hold active TDI Instructor status for the TDI course corresponding to the
conditions/environment/equipment configuration in which the course is conducted and/or for any course
being taught in conjunction with Advanced Sidemount . For example;
a. TDI Full Cave Instructor if the course is conducted in a cave environment
b. TDI Advanced Wreck Instructor if conducted during wreck penetration
c. TDI Advanced Trimix Instructor if conducted using Trimix
d. TDI CCR Instructor (unit specific) if conducted in conjunction with using a CCR
e. TDI Decompression Procedures Instructor if being taught as a combination at that level

1.4 Student to Instructor Ratio

Academic
1. Unlimited, so long as adequate facility, supplies and time are provided to insure comprehensive
and complete training of subject matter.

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Confined Water (swimming pool-like conditions)

1. Minimum of 60 minutes in confined water, unless student is already qualified as a Sidemount Diver

Open Water
1. A maximum of 4 students per active TDI Instructor is allowed in non-overhead environments
2. A maximum of 3 students per instructor when conducting the course in an overhead environment

1.5 Student Prerequisites

1. Minimum age 18
2. Provide proof of TDI Sidemount Diver certificationor equivalent
3. Provide proof of at least 100 logged dives or hours, a minimum of 25 must be sidemount dives
And
1. Be appropriately certified to dive in the conditions in which the course is being conducted
Or
1. Meet all prerequisites for any course being taught in conjunction with TDI Advanced Sidemount course

1.6 Course Structure and Duration

Water Execution
1. Minimum of 6 sidemount dives with a total bottom time of 100 minutes conducted, of which a minimum of
2 must be using at least 3 stage cylinders and 1 with a minimum of 4 stage cylinders
Course Structure
1. TDI allows instructors to structure courses according to the number of students participating and their skill
level.
Duration
1. The minimum number of classroom and briefing hours is 4
2. Course must be taught over a minimum of 3 days

1.7 Administrative Requirements

1. Collect the course fees from all the students
2. Ensure that the students have the required equipment
3. Communicate the schedule to the students
4. Have the students complete the:
a. TDI Liability Release and Express Assumption of Risk Form

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b. TDI Medical Statement Form

Upon successful completion of the course the instructor must:
1. Issue the appropriate TDI certification by submitting the TDI Diver Registration Form to TDI Headquarters
or registering the students online through member’s area of the TDI website

1.8 Required Equipment

The following are required for this course:
1. Industry approved sidemount setup, enabling the diver to float at the surface with their head out of the
water

The instructor may use any additional text or materials that they feel help present these
topics
The following equipment is required for each student:
1. Sidemount harness in good working condition
2. Cylinder (s); number and volume appropriate for planned dive, clearly marked with MOD stickers on both
the cylinder and 2nd stage, with rigging system, bungee and clips as appropriate
3. One primary stage regulator should be equipped with a suitable long hose at a recommended minimum
length of 2 metres / 7 feet and a submersible pressure gauge
4. Buoyancy compensator device (BCD) with power inflator system, having adequate lift to enable the diver
to float at the surface with their head out of the water with all cylinders attached
5. Exposure suit adequate for diving environment
6. Mask and fins; NO snorkel, mask and fins should have the straps/clips secured, covered as to minimize the
risk for entanglement
7. Two line cutting devices
8. Computer or watch (bottom timer) and depth gauge
9. Safety reel with a minimum of 37 metres / 125 feet of guideline
10. Surface marker buoy/ lift bag if conducted in open water
11. Overhead environment: 3 battery powered lights, 1 primary and 2 back-ups, each with a burn time suitable
for the planned dive time, preferably mounted on a helmet
12. One primary cave-diving reel with length appropriate for intended dive
13. Three directional line arrows
14. Helmet if environment dictates so

Instructor must use full sidemount equipment while conducting all in-water training;
sidemount configuration must be capable of assisting a student to the surface during all
open water and overhead exercises.

1.9 Required Subject Areas

The following topics must be covered during this course:

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1. Policy for Sidemount Diving

2. Psychological Considerations
a. Task loading
b. Narcosis management
c. Zero visibility conditions
3. Equipment Considerations
a. Stage cylinder options
b. Stage rigging configuration options
c. Buoyancy compensator device (BCD) / harness options
d. D-ring placement, stage clipping positions
e. Reel vs. spool options
f. Proper weighting for trim
g. Regulator configurations
h. Long hose routings
i. Butt pouch vs. pockets
j. Torch attachment points
4. Communication
a. Hand signals
b. Light signals
c. Touch contact signals
5. Swimming Techniques
a. Body posture/ Trim
b. Buoyancy control and weighting
c. Line following and position
d. Propulsion techniques
e. Team position
6. Physiology
a. Breathing techniques
b. Stress management
7. Tight Spaces/ Restrictions
a. Limits on number of restrictions
b. Pre/post restrictions checks
c. Passing equipment
d. A-framing and back-outs
8. Problem Solving
a. Emergency procedures
b. Equipment failure
c. Silting conditions.
d. Critical skills in “zero visibility” (stage handling and placement/ gas sharing)
9. Gas Management and Switching Protocols

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1.10 Required Skill Performance and Graduation Requirements

The following land drills must be covered during this course:
1. How to properly deploy a guideline
2. How to properly follow a guideline
3. How to properly bail out following a guideline
4. How to properly conduct a gas sharing exit

The student must obtain mastery of the following skills before continuing to dives 3 and 4:
1. Demonstrate adequate pre-dive planning
2. Equipment check and equipment matching
3. Demonstrate proper buoyancy control
4. Demonstrate proper body posture
5. Properly follow a guideline
6. Deployment of backup mask
7. Demonstrate proper gas switching protocol if multiple mixes are deployed
8. Demonstrate proper stress analysis (detection and management)
9. Demonstrate proper gas management buy switching cylinders using 1/6 rule
10. Bubble check an valve drill while between 3-5 metres / 10-15feet while facing buddy and maintaining
proper buoyancy
11. Long hose deployment and stowing while maintaining proper buoyancy
12. Removal and replacement of all stage tanks while maintaining buoyancy
13. Placement of 3rd cylinder; trailing, left side staging
14. Swim 50 metres / 165 feet with one cylinder removed, held in front by the cylinder valve
15. Swim 50 metres / 165 feet with two cylinders in front, top clip or bungee still attached
16. Swim 50 metres / 165 feet pull and glide method without fins
17. Valve shut down drill (free-flow and gas hemorrhage)
18. Reel/spool and SMB deployment

The student must perform the following in-water skills during dives 3&4:
1. Valve drill while between 3-5 metres / 10-15feet while facing buddy and maintaining proper buoyancy
2. Long hose deployment and stowing while maintaining proper buoyancy
3. Cylinder staging along a line, series and stacked
4. Removal and replacement of all stage cylinders while maintaining buoyancy without mask
5. Swim 50 metres / 165 feet with one cylinder removed, held in front by the cylinder valve, inverted
6. Swim 50 metres / 165 feet with two cylinders in front, top clip or bungee still attached, inverted
7. Swim 25 metres / 80 feet inverted with flooded mask while following a line and clear mask while
maintaining position
8. Valve shut down drill without mask
9. Properly deploy a guideline.

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10. Air share with a buddy with lights off, eyes closed and use touch contact, following the guideline
11. Remove and replace mask while in contact with guideline

The student must perform the following in-water skills during dives 5&6:
1. Valve drill while between 3-5 metres / 10-15feet while facing buddy and maintaining proper buoyancy
2. Long hose deployment and stowing while maintaining proper buoyancy
3. Placement of 4th cylinder; trailing, left side staging, quad staging and rig adaptation
4. Tank staging along a line, series and stacked
5. Removal and replacement of all stage cylinders while maintaining buoyancy, no mask
6. Swim 50 metres / 165 feet with one cylinder removed, held in front by the cylinder valve, inverted
7. Swim 50 metres / 165 feet with two cylinders in front, top clip or bungee still attached, inverted
8. Remove and replace mask while in contact with guideline upside down
9. Swim 25 metres / 80 feet inverted with flooded mask while following a line and clear mask while
maintaining position
10. Valve shut down drill without mask

The student must perform the following in-water skills during cave/ wreck dives:
1. Demonstrate specialized propulsion techniques in varying types of flow
2. Demonstrate light / hand -signals and touch contact
3. Demonstrate adequate anti-silting techniques
4. Simulate a primary light failure, and use backup light

In order to complete this course, students must:

1. Perform all drills and dive requirements safely and efficiently
2. Demonstrate mature, sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution
3. Maintain an appropriate level of awareness and respect for the environment
4. Log all dive

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