With many agencies and instructors now jumping on the sidemount wave, there are plenty of options in terms of sidemount training. The question is, how do you choose?..
Here's a few criteria that may help you:
1. Do they dive exclusively in sidemount or is it just another configuration for them?
2. Can they provide video/pictures of themselves and their students demonstrating superior sidemount skill?
3. Do they have a passion for diving instruction as well as improving their own diving and experience?
4. Have they invested in their own training from world-class instructors?
5. Do they have high-end technical diving qualifications in sidemount such as Tec Sidemount, Full Cave, Advanced Wreck, or Trimix?
6. Have they dived sidemount extensively in many different environments such as; deep (45m+), wreck and cave?
7. Does their course offer sufficient on-land equipment setup and drills plus plenty of in-water time for skill development?