Since 2010 Evolution has been offering Sidemount training here on Malapascua. As always with some of the best equipment available in The Philippines – UTD’s Z Harness and Z Trim and Apeks XTX 50 sidemount regs. Sidemount has taken the diving community by storm over the last few years and offers a new way to configure your equipment.
So why bother? Well Sidemount offers incredible streamlining capability and helps many divers improve their trim and propulsion capabilities. This immediately impacts on things like air consumption making divers more energy efficient. Sidemount is also a must for anyone with back problems or who no longer wants to bear the weight of heavy tanks.
And why dive with one tank when you can have two? Evolution teaches our Sidemount classes using two tanks. This simply means safer dives due to redundancy, as well as longer dives.
The principle is simple – attach two tanks on each side and during a dive and alternate between the two to keep their buoyancy characteristics the same. However for new divers the new equipment and configuration can be quite a challenge so all courses start with a shallow dive with emphasis on technique, tank and gas management and of course Evolution’s signature skill – buoyancy.
This week Katy Fraser and Fredrik Jacobsson were put through their paces by David and both graduated with honours as Sidemount divers. Both are already planning to trade in their back mounted set ups.
Meanwhile Sebastien Bachet moved his Sidemount into the technical realm with Matt as they enjoyed some phenomenal tech dives during their TDI Sidemount Course.
The evolution of dive equipment and techniques is something we relish here so if you fancy taking a Sidemount class with some of the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable instructors around be sure to get in touch. Meanwhile its time for more Sidemount diving . . .
