The skills listed below are to be introduced while in the sidemount configuration in controlled water and later demonstrated (applied) during open water dives.

Safety drills are to be performed at the beginning of every dive to include:

• equipment checks - bubble check - gas sharing - dive plan and limits review

In the open water each student must:

• Demonstrate environmentally appropriate propulsion techniques.
• Remove, replace and clear the mask.
• Out-of-air drill: Share air with a buddy, at depth in a neutral position in the water column, and perform a safe ascent to the surface.
• Bring a diver, simulating unconsciousness to the surface from a depth of approximately 10 feet (3m), remove victim’s weight system, mask and snorkel; simulate in-water rescue breathing.
• Hover with proper horizontal body position without swimming.
• With a simulated out-of-gas teammate, swim a distance of 30m (100 ft.) underwater. ? Demonstrate a simulated regulator failure, shutdown, and switch over procedure within 10 seconds.
• Demonstrate adequate trim and the ability to maintain proper body position during the descent, bottom, and ascent portion of the dive
• Unclip sidemount cylinder, rotate one and two cylinders to the front and back to re attach.
• Demonstrate the ability to safely manage gas in independent cylinders.

Attach sidemount cylinders while:

• Out of the water
• On surface, standing
• On surface in water too deep to stand

Remove and Replace Sidemount cylinder(s)

• At depth