TDI SIDEMOUNT
WHY ANILAO?
Anilao’s varied dive sites make it ideal for sidemount training: wall dives where you’ll appreciate the streamlined profile, swim-throughs that reward proper trim, and conditions calm enough to focus on skills rather than fighting currents.
Train with instructors who dive sidemount daily — not just for courses, but because it’s their preferred configuration. You’ll learn from genuine practitioners who can share real-world insights beyond the curriculum.
- World-Class Marine Life From Your Very First Dive — Anilao is the center of the center of marine biodiversity — even beginners get to…
- Calm, Shallow Training Sites Perfect for First-Timers — Anilao has sheltered bays and sandy slopes with excellent visibility, making it safe, comfortable, and…
- Easy Access, Big Adventure — Just a short trip from Manila, Anilao offers world-class underwater experiences without long travel times…
WHY CHOOSE BLUE RIBBON?
Train with instructors who actually dive sidemount every day — not just for courses. Proper configuration, trim, hose routing, and mindset from the start.
From harness fitting to cylinder setup and weights, we dial in your configuration so you start with a comfortable, streamlined, correct sidemount system.
We focus on real mastery — trim, buoyancy, gas management, and equipment handling — so when you pass, it’s because you genuinely earned it.
- Real Sidemount Instructors, Real Experience — Train with instructors who actually dive sidemount every day — not just for courses.
- Premium Gear & Proper Setup Support — From harness fitting to cylinder setup and weights, we dial in your configuration so you…
- Earn your certification, you don’t just get given one — We focus on real mastery — trim, buoyancy, gas management, and equipment handling — so…
WHAT YOU LEARN
Get trained on sidemount setups, learn proper gas management and buddy-gas matching, and handle independent cylinders safely.
Develop advanced buoyancy control, horizontal trim, and efficient finning / propulsion techniques — essential for stable and efficient diving.
Learn to plan dives carefully, manage gas consumption and dive-time, and develop situational awareness and decision making akin to technical diving standards.
Practice safety protocols, hand & light signals, gas switching, S-drills, emergency procedures, and underwater problem solving under guided conditions.
- Advanced Gear & Gas Management — Get trained on sidemount setups, learn proper gas management and buddy-gas matching, and handle independent…
- Trim, Buoyancy & Propulsion Skills — Develop advanced buoyancy control, horizontal trim, and efficient finning / propulsion techniques — essential for…
- Dive Planning & Situational Awareness — Learn to plan dives carefully, manage gas consumption and dive-time, and develop situational awareness and…
- Safe Dive Conduct, Signals & Problem-Solving — Practice safety protocols, hand & light signals, gas switching, S-drills, emergency procedures, and underwater problem…
COURSE STRUCTURE
Get ahead on the theory so everything clicks the moment you arrive — meaning less confusion, faster progress, and more time focused on in-water skills.
Build, adjust, and trim your sidemount setup until it fits perfectly.
Run through gas management, trim, buoyancy, propulsion, and emergency skills.
- Before You Arrive – TDI eLearning — Get ahead on the theory so everything clicks the moment you arrive — meaning less…
- Equipment Workshop — Build, adjust, and trim your sidemount setup until it fits perfectly.
- 2+ Open Water Training Dives — Run through gas management, trim, buoyancy, propulsion, and emergency skills.
COURSE PREREQUISITES
Must be 18 years old (or 15 with parental consent)
Must be an Open Water diver or equivalent
Provide proof of 25 logged open water dives.
You need to complete a Medical Form to make sure you are safe for diving, please review it prior to your course
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Jonathan Venn
Jon is the founder of Blue Ribbon Dive Resort in Anilao, Batangas, established in 2010. With over two decades of diving experience, he specializes in technical diving instruction and professional-level SDI/TDI courses.
A passionate explorer and dive educator, Jon is known for discovering new dive sites around Anilao and beyond. He enjoys deep-water exploration and the challenge of spotting elusive pelagic species rarely seen by recreational divers. Whether teaching advanced courses or leading technical expeditions, Jon’s focus is always on safety, precision, and adventure beneath the surface.