Discover the Freedom of the Sidemount Course at Oceans 5 Gili Air
The Sidemount Course at Oceans 5 Gili Air
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| Sidemount Course | Scuba Diving Indonesia | Oceans 5 Gili Air |
Have you ever wanted to try something new in your diving journey? Are you curious about the idea of having two tanks instead of one, achieving a perfectly horizontal, streamlined trim, and experiencing a dive that feels more natural and unrestricted? If so, the Sidemount Course at Oceans 5 Gili Air is for you.
At Oceans 5, we believe diving is not just about following a routine but about unlocking the full potential of your skills, comfort, and confidence underwater. The sidemount configuration has long been popular with cave divers and technical divers, but in recent years, it has become increasingly popular among recreational divers looking to improve their buoyancy, balance, and overall diving experience.
This course is led by Ary, our resident TDI Technical Diving Instructor and PADI IDC Staff Instructor, who has been diving the waters around Gili Air for more than 10 years. With his experience, passion for teaching, and deep knowledge of the local dive sites, Ary is the perfect guide to introduce you to the world of sidemount diving.
What Is Sidemount Diving?
Sidemount diving is a configuration where the diver carries two smaller tanks (or one if doing a recreational single-tank sidemount) clipped to the sides of the harness rather than one large tank mounted on the back. This setup was originally developed for cave divers to make it easier to squeeze through narrow passages and to improve redundancy in case of equipment failure.
Over time, it became clear that sidemount is not just for caves—it can benefit any diver, in almost any environment. The benefits include:
Redundancy & Safety: Two separate tanks mean you have an independent gas supply in case one fails.
Streamlined Profile: Tanks are aligned with your body, reducing drag and making finning more efficient.
Perfect Trim: Sidemount encourages a naturally horizontal position, ideal for buoyancy control.
Comfort: No heavy tank on your back—getting in and out of the water is often easier.
Flexibility: Tanks can be clipped on in the water, so no more struggling with heavy gear on land or boats.
Why Choose Oceans 5 Gili Air for Your Sidemount Course
There are many reasons why Oceans 5 is the ideal place to take your sidemount training:
Experienced Instructor: Ary is not only a TDI Tech Instructor but also a PADI IDC Staff Instructor, meaning he has trained and mentored many dive professionals. He knows exactly how to tailor the course to your experience level, whether you are a recreational diver or preparing for technical diving.
Brand-New Equipment: At Oceans 5, we use the Java Sidemount System, a high-quality rig designed for comfort, adjustability, and performance. You will be training with the latest gear, making it easy to dial in your configuration for a perfect fit.
World-Class Training Environment: Our facilities include two spacious training pools where you can practice in a controlled environment before heading to the ocean.
Unmatched Dive Sites: The Gili Islands are surrounded by beautiful reefs and calm waters, the perfect classroom for learning sidemount techniques. From shallow training sites to deeper walls and drift dives, you will get the chance to use your new skills in a variety of conditions.
Course Structure and What You Will Learn
The sidemount course typically takes 2–3 days, depending on your learning pace and prior experience. Ary keeps class sizes small, ensuring personalized attention and plenty of time to fine-tune your trim, buoyancy, and gas management skills.
1. Classroom & Theory Session
You will begin with an introduction to the philosophy and advantages of sidemount diving. Topics covered include:
History and evolution of sidemount diving
Equipment configuration and setup
Gas management strategies with two independent cylinders
Emergency procedures and problem-solving techniques
2. Equipment Workshop
One of the most important parts of sidemount diving is setting up your harness and tanks correctly. Ary will guide you step-by-step through:
Harness adjustment for a perfect fit
Bungee and hose routing
Tank rigging with bolt snaps
Weight placement for ideal balance
This workshop ensures that you are completely comfortable with your gear before entering the water.
3. Confined Water Session
Next, you will head to Oceans 5’s training pool, where you will:
Practice donning and doffing tanks in the water
Master correct body positioning for horizontal trim
Learn proper finning techniques to stay streamlined
Conduct gas switches and practice emergency drills
This session is your chance to build muscle memory and confidence before heading into open water.
4. Open Water Dives
The highlight of the course! You will complete several dives at some of Gili Air’s best sites, practicing real-world scenarios:
Gas management and switches during a dive
Buoyancy control while maintaining a horizontal position
Team positioning and communication with your buddy
Dealing with simulated equipment failures
With Ary by your side, you will be exploring the reefs like never before, noticing how much more balanced and free you feel with the sidemount configuration.
The Advantages of Horizontal Buoyancy
One of the biggest takeaways from the sidemount course is how much better your buoyancy becomes. Because sidemount encourages a horizontal trim, you distribute your weight evenly and use less energy to stay in position. This leads to:
Better Air Consumption: Longer, more relaxed dives.
Less Silting: Perfect for delicate reef areas—your fins stay clear of the bottom.
Improved Safety: You can see your valves and hoses, making it easier to deal with problems.
A More Professional Look: Divers often comment that sidemount divers look more “in control” underwater.
Who Should Take the Sidemount Course
The sidemount course is suitable for a variety of divers:
Recreational Divers: Looking to improve buoyancy, try something new, and get more comfortable underwater.
Photographers & Videographers: The streamlined profile and perfect trim make it easier to get stable shots.
Future Technical Divers: Sidemount is an essential foundation for technical diving courses like decompression procedures or cave diving.
Older Divers or Those with Back Problems: No more heavy tank on your spine—gear can be clipped on in the water for maximum comfort.
Dive Sites You May Visit During the Course
Learning sidemount at Oceans 5 means you will have access to a range of exciting dive sites around Gili Air:
Hans Reef: Known for sandy bottoms perfect for practicing trim, as well as macro life like frogfish and pipefish.
Bounty Wreck: A great site to experience sidemount’s advantage in exploring tight areas around a wreck.
Shark Point: For a slightly more adventurous dive where you may spot reef sharks, turtles, and big schools of fish.
Secret Reef & Mentigi Bay: Calm conditions make these sites ideal for practicing gas switches and buoyancy drills.
Why Ary Makes the Difference
Ary is not just an instructor; he is a mentor. Having lived and worked on Gili Air for over a decade, he knows every corner of the reefs and every current pattern. Students often say that what makes his courses special is his ability to adapt training to the student’s needs, whether that means spending extra time on a particular skill or challenging you with more advanced scenarios once you are ready.
His dual background as a PADI IDC Staff Instructor and TDI Tech Instructor means you will not just learn to “pass a course” but to truly master sidemount diving at a level that will benefit you for years to come.
After the Course – What’s Next?
Once you complete your sidemount course, you will have a completely new way to enjoy diving. Many students find that sidemount becomes their preferred configuration for fun dives. Others use it as a stepping stone into technical diving, learning to carry additional cylinders and plan longer, deeper dives.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, you can continue your education by joining:
TDI Intro to Tech or Decompression Procedures with Ary
Specialties like Deep, Wreck, or Nitrox to expand your skills
PADI Professional Programs if you are interested in becoming a divemaster or instructor
Final Thoughts
The Sidemount Course at Oceans 5 Gili Air is more than just another certification—it is a transformation of the way you dive. You will discover a new sense of balance, comfort, and freedom underwater, guided by one of the most experienced instructors in Indonesia.
With brand-new Java Sidemount Systems, small class sizes, and access to some of the best dive sites in the Gili Islands, this course is designed to give you confidence and joy in your diving.
If you are ready to take your diving to the next level, sidemount may be the answer. Would you like to have two tanks instead of one? Would you like to be more streamlined, more balanced, and more in control? Join Ary and the Oceans 5 Gili Air team for a sidemount adventure you will never forget.
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