Sidemount PCB provides many benefits for all divers, but is best suited to cave diving. (It was cave divers who created sidemount. These benefits include:
You can enroll in Tec Sidemount PCB Diver courses if you are at least 18 years of age and have logged at least 30 dives. You should also hold a PADI Enriched Diver certification.
Steve, Your tutorials were amazing and an excellent addition to any instructor’s toolbox. I am a PADI instructor in Cyprus. After taking a few courses, I was able to master this style of diving. Although it originated in cave diving, it has gained popularity among recreational divers. But, only by using your technique, I have been able to certify competent and confident sidemount diver. I teach PADI Cyprus and have completed a few courses in order to master this type dive, which although originated in cave diving, is becoming very popular among recreational divers. I learned that your technique only allowed me to certify competent and confident sidemount diver. Sidemount diving, I know, is not difficult for any dive boat or Dive guide. I also know they will be safe and appear sleek underwater. You have a structured approach that explains every aspect of sidemount dive, including the configuration. Any instructor who is teaching sidemount I would highly recommend this! Thank you! read less
Your videos are great! I just finished UTD cave 1 and started sidemounting. Your videos were a huge help. Keep the great content coming
If you are interested in the SDI course, we will teach it. By default, however we also offer the TDI. You can take this course as a standalone, however our students often combine it with our Apprentice Cave Diver program.
As your goal in taking this course is to learn the basic set up and operation of the equipment you will use as part of your cave and/or tech diver training, you will need that same equipment for this course. This includes:
TDI Trimix DiverThe TDI Trimix course provides the training required to competently and safely utilize breathing gases containing helium for dives that require staged decompression, utilizing nitrox and / or oxygen mixtures during decompression to a maximum depth 200’.
Sidemount is something I've never attempted before, but after watching his online training videos I was confident that Steve would be able to help me. It was a great experience! It was truly an unforgettable week! Sidemountpcb Essentials has exceeded all my expectations. Steve is a wonderful teacher and has a lot... read moreI've never attempted sidemount, but after watching his online training I knew that Steve was the right man to help me. I was right! It was truly an unforgettable week! Sidemount PCB Essentials has exceeded all my expectations. Steve is a wonderful teacher. He has patience and takes time to help his students. Every detail is meticulously planned. It was a memorable experience that I enjoyed. Sidemount PCB Essentials Course changed my diving. In a very short time, my awareness and skills under water rose to levels I had never imagined. Everything is in order: the harness setup, weight, position, cylinder trim, and your balance in water. You will feel relaxed and confident, and you'll experience true sidemount setup... with no back pain! It was challenging but very enjoyable. Each day begins with a planning and theoretical session. Then, we have a video review of our drills in water. Everything is explained in great detail. Our learning curve is steep because we had to drain our cylinders each time we entered the water. The entire process was performed in a relaxed, secure environment and yet showed extraordinary professionalism. You should not hesitate to take this course with Steve. Steve will show you how to become a great diver if you're passionate about Sidemount PCB. read less
Steve, I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing online Sidemount PCB training. My PADI Sidemount PCB training was last year. However, I felt that my XDeep harness setup was not as streamlined as I would like. Although the instructor was excellent, I could see that he didn't live and breathe sidemount. I had already signed up for your free course, which was very helpful. But... read moreSteve, I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing online Sidemount PCB training course. My PADI Sidemount PCB training was last year. However, I felt that my XDeep harness wasn't streamlined the way I wanted. Although the instructor was excellent, I could see that he didn't live sidemount. Your free course system was very helpful, but you left wanting more. I will be attending my Overhead Environment training in Florida this November and wanted to ensure that my setup and skills were up-to-date. I watched your entire online course (WOW). Your recommendations helped me to rebuild my XDeep harness. Your setup helped me re-do my entire bungee system and all my attachment points. I feel that my setup is correct and it feels very comfortable in the water. Again, thank you. Next, I will continue to improve my skills. It is much easier now that my harness has been properly set up. Your training was a great investment. I wish I had done it a year ago. Please take care, and keep the updates coming. Thanks, Jason read less
Certification cards: We issue these only when earned. Simply taking part in a course does not guarantee certification. For cave courses, certification cards from multiple training agencies may be available. C-cards generally cost around $30 each, depending on agency. Your instructor can tell you more.
It was amazing to have such a positive experience with your online class. In my scuba 'career,' I had very few interactions with other instructors, but I can tell you that I have never experienced such useful, deep and practical explanations about how I can become a better scuba diver. When I completed my PADI AOOW training, buoyancy control was a problem as I attempted to capture my SMB ..... Read more I am so grateful for your informative online course. In my scuba 'career, I had very few interactions with other instructors, but I can tell you that I have never seen so many practical and helpful explanations about how to become an even better diver. I struggled with buoyancy control when I attempted my SMB while I was doing my PADI OOW training. I asked my instructor how to improve buoyancy. He told me to just practice. He assured me that he had good buoyancy controls, but he didn't explain the importance proper weighting or breath control to me. Your videos were a real eye opener. Not to mention the fact that my sidemount diving buddy did not understand why I wanted it. Even now, highly recommended instructors often ask me why sm is important. What's the purpose of it? It's a common practice for cave divers. I am happy I chose sm. It is a completely different world. No one ever taught me or inspected my SM. However, when I dive with others they often comment on how well my trim is. I learned everything from your videos. You showed me how to set up equipment, get in and out of water, solve problems, and so on. I hope to meet you and to have a training with you. Because I want to make scuba diving better and to help others become more skilled divers. Although I know that there are many talented divers and instructors, I think your contribution to the diving community is very significant. Thank you! Regards, Csaba read less
Steve, my pleasure! I enjoyed your Sidemount PCB Essentials training in Gozo. I can't think of anything better. It was so much of a lot of fun. Your passion and knowledge are truly amazing. You pay attention even to the smallest details, and you strive to make things better. I also enjoyed your Sidemount PCB Essentials program in Gozo. I doubt that I will ever spend more money on something better. It was so much of a lot of fun. It's amazing to see the dedication and your experience. You are attentive to even the smallest details and always strive to make things better. I love your enthusiasm for capturing details, new equipment, tips, etc. These can be added to future videos. Your online training videos, I must say, are amazing. They prepare you for all the necessary information during in-water training. In fact, I believe this is the key to the steep learning curve. The time spent underwater can be utilized efficiently. Steve, we are grateful for your efforts! Nils, Cheers
Steve, your Sidemount PCB Essentials course was great! I have probably never spent my money on anything more. It was so much fun, and I loved every minute of it. Your dedication and experience are amazing. Your attention to detail is amazing and you always strive to improve the situation. I enjoyed the Sidemount PCB Essentials course at Gozo. I have probably never spent my money on anything more. It was so much fun, and I loved every minute of it. Your dedication and experience are amazing. Your attention to detail is amazing and you're always trying to improve. Your enthusiasm to capture every detail, whether it be new equipment or hints, is what I love. These details can be captured with the camera so that they can be included in future videos. Your online training videos are an excellent resource. These videos will prepare you for in-water training. I believe that this is the key to the steep learning curve. Because you can use your time underwater efficiently, it's possible to be well-prepared. Steve, thank you so much! Nils, Cheers!
Sidemount PCB Harness: This is a specialised Harness, like a BCD, which is very minimum and light weight. This harness has several D-rings on shoulder straps, and a special Butt plate with rings or sliders.
PADI Adventure Diver is a subset of PADI Advanced Open Water Diver. Have you ever considered trying your hand at digital underwater photography, fish identification, or dry suit diving? During this program, you can participate in a variety of scuba adventures.
332.35 m
Hello and welcome to the Officially Amazing universe. Ahmed Gabr. Ahmed, 41, of Egypt, has broken the record for the deepest SCUBA dive, diving 332.35 m (1,090 ft 4.5 in) in the Red Sea off the coast of Dahab.
According to experts, approximately 40% of technical divers enroll in additional education and training programs. This yields a reasonable estimate of approximately 160,000 active technical divers worldwide.