Individual approach
One instructor at our school always teaches a sensible number of students. We never push things to the limit and give every student 100% of our attention.
Freedom for your back.
A new balance.
Sidemount means diving with cylinders at your sides – no weight on your back, better balance, easy access to equipment and greater comfort both underwater and on land.
6 990 CZK
SSI Sidemount Diving
Tap to turn the card
At your sidesconfiguration freedom
3open water dives
12 yearsminimum age
OWDentry certification
01 / WHO IS THE COURSE FORWho should take
Who should take
Sidemount Diving?
From 12 years · Entry level OWD
- 01
For divers who want to take the strain off their backs, spine or who have limited mobility.
- 02
For those looking for better trim, freedom of movement and easier handling of cylinders.
- 03
For those interested in technical diving – Sidemount is the gateway to the world of technical dives, wrecks and caves.
- 04
For experienced divers who want to try something new – even at familiar sites you will feel differently.
Two sides. One balance.
Equipment that adapts to you.
Cylinders at your sides, a free back and easy access to equipment. A new perspective on a configuration you prepare for your dive.
CLOSE UP / SSI Sidemount DivingFreedom for your back.
Freedom for your back.
A new balance.
At your sides · configuration freedom
Sidemount Diving training at Divers Direct01 / 03
Explanation of diving equipment with the instructor on dry land02 / 03
SSI Sidemount Diving product card03 / 03- 01 / 03
Cylinders by your side.
No more heavy cylinder on your back! The Sidemount configuration will bring you greater comfort not only on land but also underwater – the cylinders are attached at your sides, which relieves your back and makes equipment handling easier. In addition, you will gain excellent stability, new trim possibilities and greater freedom of movement during the dive.
Sidemount Diving training at Divers Direct01 / 03 - 02 / 03
A new configuration.
The course is ideal for anyone who wants to try an alternative equipment configuration, gain greater control over buoyancy and be ready for more challenging dives or further technical specialisations.
Explanation of diving equipment with the instructor on dry land02 / 03 - 03 / 03
Your next diving style.
After successfully completing the course you will receive the international SSI Sidemount Diving certification – and perhaps a new favourite diving style too.
SSI Sidemount Diving product card03 / 03
Practical information.
Course duration
6–10 hours duration by agreement with the instructor
Where we will meet
One confined water dive and three open water dives. Complete the course at selected Czech quarries or abroad.
Included in the course price
- Electronic study materials in Czech
- Services of an experienced instructor
- Hire of a Sidemount wing incl. regulators and cylinders
- 1 confined water dive and 3 open water dives
- SSI Recreational Sidemount Diving certification
Paid separately
- Hire of additional equipment (10% discount in the equipment hire shop)
- Admission and any additional fees in open water
- Cylinder fills in open water
Course progress
- 01
Online learning
Preparation and personal consultation with an instructor.
- 02
Equipment configuration
Setting up the sidemount wing, regulators and cylinders.
- 03
Confined water
One dive to familiarise yourself with the configuration in controlled conditions.
- 04
Three dives in open water
You will take your skills into open water and complete the certification.
03 / TAKE A LOOK INSIDE THE COURSEExperience it
Experience it
underwater.
See what awaits you in the SSI programme.
04 / FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSWhat
What
else are you interested in?
Do I need my own equipment?
Hire of the sidemount configuration is included in the course price, so you do not need a buoyancy compensator, regulators or cylinders. If you are missing any other parts of your equipment, there is no problem hiring them, for example from our equipment hire shop with a 10% discount.
Is there any diving in the course?
Yes, the course includes at least 1 confined water dive and 3 open water dives. You will agree the locations with your instructor.
Is the course suitable for beginners too?
We recommend the course to more experienced divers with SSI Open Water Diver certification or higher. Ideally, you should already have at least a few independent dives under your belt. However, if you have health issues and Sidemount could be the solution, we can start with it earlier.
Can it also be taken in English?
Yes! The study materials are also available in English. A consultation with an English-speaking instructor can also be arranged.
How long will the study materials be accessible to me?
Once activated, access remains yours permanently – you can return to it at any time.
How soon after payment can I start?
Usually within 1 working day we will activate your access and contact you to arrange the lesson.
YOUR INSTRUCTORSThis course
This course
will be taught to you personally.
Meet our professionals who can teach this course. We will agree the specific instructor and date together.
Adam ŠvancarInstructor Trainer
Adam Švancar
SSI Instructor Trainer #82884
School management, divemaster and instructor training. Nitrox and Science of Diving.
Adam leads the Divers Direct diving school and, as an SSI Instructor Trainer, focuses on divemaster and instructor training. He looks after the quality of teaching and the development of Divers Direct. Adam began his professional career in 2009 in Czech waters as a PADI Divemaster and later an Instructor (Master Scuba Diver Trainer). From 2010 to 2011, he also worked at the Lighthouse dive centre in Dahab, Egypt.
In the Czech Republic, he focuses primarily on professional diving candidates and leads the Instructor Training Course including preparation for the Instructor Evaluation. He works with current instructors on their further education, speciality courses and professional updates. In addition, he enthusiastically teaches Enriched Air Nitrox and Science of Diving courses.
In addition to teaching, he enjoys wreck diving in his free time, and is interested in caves and ice diving.
You can read the full overview of the courses Adam teaches here: https://my.divessi.com/pro/82884
Marek KušiakOpen Water Instructor
Marek Kušiak
SSI Open Water Instructor #117682
Sidemount enthusiast. He tailors training to the experience and needs of his students.
He started diving in 2006 with IANTD and over the years took courses in many diving systems with many instructors. Time and gradually gained experience have shown that courses across all organisations are very similar and that, overall, the instructor’s approach matters more than the name of the system. This is what he tries to follow during teaching and he adapts courses as much as possible to the students.
After a shoulder injury, he left technical diving for a while before deciding to try sidemount. Since then, he has fallen in love with sidemount diving. He currently mainly teaches this form of diving, which opens up new and interesting possibilities for beginners as well as experienced divers.
The course does not
end with us.
Divers Direct regularly organises one-day and weekend Events and diving expeditions for members of its club. And you can continue with follow-on courses right at these events.
View club events
10%
Discount on everything from day one
You also get a 10% discount from the very start of the course in our diving shop in Dejvice on all diving equipment and other courses.
Why dive
s Divers?
Professional instructors
Every one of our instructors and divemasters lives and breathes diving, loves teaching, and passes that enthusiasm on. We are a team of enthusiasts who will draw you into the world of diving.
Quality training
We maintain high standards and take no shortcuts. Safety, fun, efficiency and ecology too – that is the foundation of every course we run.
SSI Certification
We run certification courses according to SSI standards. SSI certifications are internationally recognised in the diving world.
Flexible dates
We will agree on training dates that suit you. Flexibility is a given for us and we always do our utmost to accommodate you.
Our own 8m diving pit
We train in the deepest pit in the Czech Republic – at Aquapalace Praha in Čestlice. There we have ideal conditions for pool training, and it shows in our divers.
We don’t end with the course
With us you can continue – lectures, training sessions, trips, expeditions, follow-on courses. And on top of that, a 10% discount on equipment and other courses.
A great community
Divers Direct is more than a school – it is a community. Lectures, evenings in the clubhouse, experiences that bring people together.
Experience from all over the world
Our instructors teach here and abroad – we have know-how from all over the world. We are happy to share it with every one of our students.
Your next dive
begins here.
SSI Sidemount Diving
A date that suits you.
We open flexibly. Individual lessons are arranged separately with the instructor according to your availability.
potapeni@divers.cz+420 725 316 772How do I get started?
- 01
Choose your course
Order your selected course online.
- 02
Set up your MySSI
Register at my.divessi.com. Dive centre: Divers Direct 722162.
- 03
We will arrange a date
We will fine-tune everything together. You will arrange individual lessons directly with the instructor according to your availability.