What are the prerequisites?

You must be a certified open water diver; minimum age is 12. Additional comfort at depth and basic dive experience are strongly recommended.

Is gas included in the course fee?

No—gas fills, specialty mixes, and boat or park fees are not included and must be arranged or paid separately.

What is the maximum depth I can dive after certification?

The course trains you to plan and conduct dives to a maximum of 40 meters when paired with an equally or more qualified buddy.

Do I need my own sidemount gear?

Bringing your Sidemount Total Diving System is required for practice; some shops may rent rigs but confirm availability in advance.

How big are the classes?

Classes are small—typically four divers—so you receive individualized coaching and skill checks during confined and open-water sessions.

Are there any medical restrictions?

Standard scuba medical clearance applies; inform the instructor of any conditions and obtain physician approval if required by dive health guidelines.

SSI Recreational Sidemount Course in Orlando: Earn Your 40m Certification

Recreational Sidemount is a two-day SSI certification course in Orlando, Florida, taught through Divers Direct - Orlando. This hands-on program trains certified open water divers to carry tanks on their sides and to manage dives to 40 meters using limited decompression procedures, advanced dive-computer techniques, and the Sidemount Total Diving System. On day one, expect an academic review, confined-water practice, and your first open-water dive: instructors walk you through configuration, gas management, valve drills, and problem-solving drills tailored to sidemount rigs. Day two focuses on depth work and two additional dives that consolidate limited-decompression planning and team-based gas-switch procedures. Digital course materials and instructor fees are included; gas fills, personal equipment, and park or boat fees are not. The class size is intimate—usually four divers—so you get direct feedback and time under the surface. What makes this course special for Central Florida is its practical route from recreational to technical-minded diving without assuming prior sidemount experience. Sidemount rigs improve streamlining and redundancy and open up wreck and cave approach options where a backplate-and-wing rig would be cumbersome. Learning to use advanced dive-computer features and conducting limited-decompression profiles under instructor supervision means you can safely expand your diving envelope to sites that sit below typical recreational depths. Beyond skill acquisition, this program plugs you into Orlando’s active dive community and to local operators who run trips to offshore wrecks and ledges. Divers Direct - Orlando serves as the meeting point and local hub; bring your Sidemount Total Diving System to practice with the exact configuration you’ll use in real-world dives. Minimum age is 12, making this an option for adventurous teens already certified in open water. Practical tips: confirm any needed gas mixes and surface support before the course, and budget for gear checklist items not included in the course fee. Fitness matters—expect repetitive descents with weighted rigs and longer bottom times on day two. Certification allows you to plan dives to 40 meters only with an equally or more qualified buddy, so consider follow-up training or team dives with local certified sidemount divers. If you’re ready to step beyond conservative recreational limits without jumping straight into full technical training, this two-day SSI Sidemount course in Orlando is a compact, focused way to broaden where you can go, how you configure your kit, and which wrecks and ledges you’ll visit next. The course’s small group ratio accelerates learning: expect personalized debriefs after each dive and targeted skill checks that build muscle memory for valve shut, gas-sharing and emergency ascents. After certification, local charter captains and dive shops often prioritize sidemount-qualified divers for deeper wreck rotations, making this credential practical for divers who want to explore Florida’s offshore hardware and artificial reefs.

About Ultimate Scuba LLC

Ultimate Scuba LLC is a scuba training and dive excursion provider based in Orlando, FL. The company offers a broad range of SSI and RAID courses, specialty certifications, and guided dives for recreational and technical divers.

Courses include foundational programs such as Open Water Diver certifications, advanced specialties like Deep Diving and Extended Range, and technical offerings including Extended Range Sidemount and Decompression Dive training. Instructor-level training and professional development are available, including Assistant Instructor and advanced instructor bundles.

Guided dive experiences span local boat diving, night diving and limited visibility sessions, wreck and cavern orientations, two-tank trips, and destination excursions such as a dive excursion in Pompano Beach. Ultimate Scuba LLC supplies accredited curriculum from SSI and RAID, combines classroom learning with practical confined water and open water sessions, and provides essential gear for many courses.

The operation is located in Orlando, FL, and serves divers seeking certification, skill refreshers, technical advancement, or recreational dives. Safety protocols emphasize recognized training standards, emergency first aid readiness, and documented specialty training such as Nitrox and Drysuit certifications. The business is featured on The Adventure Collective, listing its course catalog and trip options.

Prospective students can expect structured training pathways from beginner Open Water programs to advanced specialties and instructor pathways, with a focus on skill development, conservative dive planning, and buddy-team diving. Ultimate Scuba LLC documents course outlines and certification standards according to SSI and RAID requirements. Contact information and scheduling details are available through The Adventure Collective listing online now.

SSI Recreational Sidemount Course in Orlando: Earn Your 40m Certification

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