PADI Tec Sidemount Course
PADI Tec Sidemount Course in Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia & Delaware
If you’ve looked into technical diving, you’ve noticed one thing immediately: tec divers carry multiple cylinders. Sidemount is one of the most streamlined and flexible ways to manage 2+ tanks—especially when comfort, balance, redundancy, and equipment access matter.
Southern Maryland Divers trains Tec Sidemount for real Mid-Atlantic conditions with a focus on clean configuration, disciplined cylinder handling, and buoyancy/trim control that holds up when visibility and conditions aren’t perfect.
Training Location: 23950 N. Patuxent Beach Rd, California, MD 20619 | Phone: (443) 295-3225 | Web: www.SoMdDivers.com
Availability: Contact us for booking information
What Is Tec Sidemount?
Tec Sidemount teaches you how to configure, manage, and dive with multiple sidemounted cylinders. Compared to back-mounted doubles, sidemount can improve comfort, reduce strain during transport, and provide excellent access to valves and equipment while underwater.
Your instructor may integrate Tec Sidemount skills with Tec 40, Tec 45, or Tec 50 training to support a clean, consistent technical progression.
What You’ll Learn in Tec Sidemount
- Configuration & setup: harness fit, attachment points, hose routing, and streamlining
- Gas supply planning: cylinder selection, balancing gas, and redundancy habits for 2+ tanks
- Trim & buoyancy: stable horizontal position while task-loaded and moving efficiently
- Cylinder handling: clipping/unclipping, removing/replacing tanks, and in-water management
- Entries/exits: practical water entry/exit methods for handling multiple cylinders safely
- Care & maintenance: post-dive care for sidemount gear and cylinders
Is Tec Sidemount Right for You?
Tec Sidemount is a great fit if you:
- Want to dive with 2+ cylinders for extended dive times or technical progression
- Prefer a more comfortable way to manage multiple tanks (especially for shore dives)
- Want improved access to valves and equipment underwater
- Are preparing for Tec 40 / Tec 45 / Tec 50 training
If your buoyancy/trim still takes active effort, take Peak Performance Buoyancy first — it will make sidemount training dramatically easier.
Tec Sidemount Training for Mid-Atlantic Conditions
Mid-Atlantic diving often involves cold water, limited visibility, current, and variable surface conditions. These factors increase task loading—so sidemount skills need to be clean, repeatable, and calm.
Training here builds real competence: stable trim, controlled cylinder management, and disciplined procedures that translate directly to wreck charters, deeper dives, and technical progressions.
What Comes After Tec Sidemount?
Many sidemount divers continue into technical training or use sidemount configuration within TecRec courses.
Tec Sidemount FAQs
Is Tec Sidemount the same as the recreational Sidemount course?
Tec Sidemount builds on sidemount concepts with emphasis on handling multiple cylinders (2+ tanks), redundancy habits, and procedures aligned with technical diving progression.
Do I need sidemount to take Tec 40/45/50?
Not always. Many divers train in back-mounted doubles. Tec Sidemount is a great alternative configuration and can be integrated into Tec 40, Tec 45, or Tec 50 training based on your goals and instructor guidance.
Is sidemount easier on your back?
Many divers find it more comfortable because cylinders can be carried and staged separately, then clipped on in the water—reducing strain compared to walking in full doubles.