Rui Diving Centre

Padi Recreational Sidemount Diver 

Course Policy

1. Course Validity

The PADI Recreational Sidemount Diver Course is valid for one year from the date of registration.

Students must complete all online theory, confined-water training, and open-water training within this one-year period. Any incomplete portion of the course will expire at the end of this period, and all fees paid are non-refundable.

Students who wish to continue after the course has expired must re-register according to the course pricing and requirements in effect at that time.

2. Refunds, Transfers, and Exchanges

Once registration and payment have been completed, all course fees are:

• Non-refundable;
• Non-transferable to another person;
• Not exchangeable for another course;
• Not redeemable for products, gift cards, store credit, or account credit.
• Students are responsible for confirming their availability, physical condition, and ability to meet the course requirements before registering.

3. Prerequisites

To participate in the PADI Recreational Sidemount Diver Course, students must:

• Be a certified scuba diver with a minimum certification of PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent
• Meet the applicable minimum age requirement
• Be medically and physically fit to participate in scuba diving activities
• Be comfortable in the water and able to perform the required scuba diving skills
• Complete any required medical documentation or clearance before training when applicable

Previous sidemount experience is not required. Equivalent certifications from other recognized diver training organizations may be accepted where applicable.

4. Course Requirements

The PADI Recreational Sidemount Diver Course focuses on developing the knowledge and skills required to safely configure, manage, and dive using a sidemount configuration.

Training may include:

• Sidemount equipment setup and adjustment
• Cylinder positioning and attachment
• Regulator and hose routing
• Trim and buoyancy control
• Gas management and cylinder switching procedures
• Entry, exit, and surface procedures
• Underwater communication and buddy awareness
• Problem management and safety procedures

Students are expected to demonstrate the required skills and follow instructor directions throughout the course.

5. Equipment Requirements

No scuba or sidemount equipment is included in the course fee.

Students will need appropriate scuba and sidemount equipment for training. Certain equipment may be rented from Rui Diving Centre for an additional fee, subject to availability.

Equipment requirements may include:

• Sidemount BCD / harness system
• Sidemount regulators
• Sidemount cylinders
• Weights and weight system
• Mask
• Fins
• Wetsuit suitable for the environment and water temperature
• Dive computer
• Other personal diving equipment required for the course

Personal equipment such as mask, fins, wetsuits, and dive computer is the student's responsibility.

Students who use their own equipment must ensure that it is suitable, properly configured, and in good working condition. The instructor may require adjustments to the equipment configuration when necessary for safety and training.

6. Equipment and Transportation

If rental equipment is required, students are responsible for confirming rental requirements and availability before their scheduled training.

Students are responsible for:

• Picking up rental equipment from Rui Diving Centre during business hours
• Transporting equipment to and from the training location
• Loading and unloading equipment
• Properly handling and caring for equipment during use
• Returning rental equipment to Rui Diving Centre as instructed

The course fee does not include equipment delivery, pickup, transportation, or handling services. Students are responsible for the safekeeping of their personal and rented equipment while it is in their possession. Rui Diving Centre is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to personal equipment.

Late returns, loss, damage, or misuse of rental equipment may result in additional charges.

7. Confirmed Course Dates

Once course dates have been confirmed, they generally cannot be changed. Students should review their work, school, travel, and personal schedules before confirming their course dates.

Course spaces, instructors, pool sessions, and open-water training must be arranged in advance. Therefore, approval of a rescheduling request is not guaranteed.

8. Complimentary Rescheduling

A course may be rescheduled without a fee under the following circumstances:

• The student is unable to participate safely due to a medical condition and provides a medical certificate or other supporting documentation when requested;
• Rui Diving Centre cancels or postpones the course due to extreme weather, dive-site closure, or unsafe water conditions;
• Rui Diving Centre or the responsible instructor determines that the course cannot proceed because of another safety-related issue.

Complimentary rescheduling does not entitle the student to a refund. The replacement date will be arranged according to instructor availability, pool or dive-site access, and available course spaces.

9. Rescheduling Fee

A $99 plus HST rescheduling fee applies in any of the following situations:

• The student requests a change within 48 hours of the scheduled session
• The student arrives late and cannot safely participate
• The student is absent without sufficient notice
• The student cannot attend due to work, travel, transportation, scheduling, or another non-emergency personal reason
• Required course documents are incomplete
• Required medical clearance has not been obtained
• Required personal equipment is missing, unsuitable, or not functioning properly
• Required rental equipment has not been collected or is not available for the scheduled training

Payment of the rescheduling fee does not guarantee a specific replacement date. All replacement dates are subject to instructor, pool, dive-site, and course-space availability.

The rescheduling fee does not extend the original one-year course validity.

10. Late Arrival and Absence

Students must arrive at the designated training location at the scheduled time and allow sufficient time to prepare their equipment.

Late arrival may affect the instructor's ability to complete the required training and may require the session to be rescheduled.

If a student arrives too late to safely or effectively participate, the instructor may refuse participation for that session and the applicable rescheduling fee may apply.

Failure to attend without sufficient notice will be treated as a missed session.

11. Medical and Physical Requirements

Students are responsible for informing the instructor of any medical condition, injury, or physical limitation that may affect their ability to safely participate in the course.

Students must be medically and physically capable of participating in scuba diving activities.

If medical clearance is required, students must provide the appropriate written clearance before participating in the affected training.

Students must inform the instructor of any relevant change in their physical condition before or during the course.

12. Training Environment and Conditions

Training may take place in confined water and open water depending on the course requirements, student progression, and instructor planning.

Open-water training is subject to appropriate:

• Weather
• Water temperature
• Visibility
• Wind and waves
• Current
• Dive-site conditions
• Equipment availability
• Student readiness

For safety reasons, the instructor may change the training location, modify the training sequence, postpone a session, or reschedule training when conditions are not suitable.

13. Course Progression and Additional Training

The PADI Recreational Sidemount Diver Course is performance-based.

Students must demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before progressing through the course.

The instructor may require additional practice or training when a student has not demonstrated the required skills to a safe and appropriate standard.

Additional training is not included in the original course fee unless specifically stated.

Any applicable additional training, equipment rental, facility, or dive-site fees will be confirmed separately before additional training is scheduled.

14. Safety and Instructor Decisions

Diver safety is always the primary consideration.

The instructor may determine whether a student can safely participate in or continue a training session based on:

• Physical condition
• Diving experience
• Skill performance
• Equipment configuration
• Buoyancy and trim
• Gas management
• Situational awareness
• Student readiness
• Environmental conditions
• Any other relevant safety consideration

The instructor may stop, modify, postpone, or reschedule training when necessary to maintain a safe learning environment.

Students must follow all instructor directions and applicable diving safety procedures.

15. Course Completion and Certification

Completion of the scheduled training sessions does not automatically guarantee PADI certification.

Students must demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and performance according to the applicable PADI standards.

The instructor will determine whether the student has successfully met the required performance standards and is ready for course completion.

If additional training is required, applicable fees will be confirmed separately before additional training is scheduled.

16. Acceptance of Policy

By registering for or paying for the Rui Diving Centre PADI Recreational Sidemount Diver Course, the student confirms that they have read, understood, and accepted this course policy.

Rui Diving Centre reserves the right to reasonably update its course schedules, fees, and related policies.