Steve, thanks so much! Vas, thank you for your mentoring. If you don't ask questions or explore the options, it can put an end to your safety and growth as a diver. I have been studying your online courses for over two years. I have practiced and developed muscle memory, but more importantly, I have never been afraid to ask questions of other divers. Read moreThanks Steve, and Vas for your mentorship. If you don't ask questions or explore the options, it can impede your progress in safety and growth as a diver. I have been studying in depth your online teachings for the past 2 years. I have practiced and developed muscle memory but, most importantly, I have not kept my mouth closed when divers ask me questions. As they now see the best way, the results are astounding. I also want to thank you for being so patient with me over the past 2 years. There are always opportunities to ask, learn and teach, as well as discuss, and grow. You should not ask stupid questions while diving. I'm sure I'll open my mouth again to ask another question! Lol
Steve, Your Sidemount PCB Essentials class in Gozo was a great experience! I doubt that I will ever spend more money on something else. It was so much fun. It's amazing to see the dedication and your experience. You are attentive to every detail and always looking to improve. Read moreHi Steve! Your Sidemount PCB Essentials class in Gozo was great. I can't think of anything better. It was so much fun. Your passion and knowledge are truly amazing. You pay attention even to the smallest details, and are constantly striving for improvement. I love your passion for capturing all the details, new equipment, and tips. to include them in future videos. I am very impressed with your online training videos. These videos prepare you for the in-water training. And I think this is what makes the steep learning curve so manageable underwater. Steve, I am so grateful for all your help. Nils, Cheers
The shift from sidemounting to backmounted doubles has been one of the biggest changes in equipment cave divers have seen since the turn of the century. A large number of cave divers sidemount. Additionally, there may be more sidemount cave divers than open-circuit backmount cave divers.
Sidemount PCB can provide a number of benefits for any diver, but is especially well suited for cave diving. (It was, after all, cave divers who invented sidemount.) Among these benefits:
Please send me an email with a renewal code. I look forward a 5th year of sidemountpcb.com. Your team and I continue to be a great source for inspiration and guidance. All the Best! Scott
I just want to say, your online training is top notch. I learn something every time I log in. The fact that you go above and beyond to engage with your subscribers only adds to the already incredible value we get from your site. Thank you very much for your time.
Steve, I just stumbled upon the new chapters that you have added to your online courses. They are great. They are especially useful when searching for a specific part of a video or reviewing them. They were easy to use and I started using them immediately after I saw them. Timo, a big thank you!
Sidemount PCB is a scuba diving equipment configuration which has diving cylinders mounted along the diver, below the shoulders and along the hips, instead of on the back of the diver. It began as a configuration popular with advanced cave divers, as smaller sections of cave can be penetrated and tanks can be changed with greater ease. The same benefits for operating in confined spaces were also recognised by divers who conducted technical wreck diving penetrations. We have well-trained instructors to teach scuba diving courses and scuba diving training in Thailand.
A single specialty rating can be earned by obtaining the SDI Sidemount PCB Diver Certification to complete the SDI Advanced Diver Development programme.
sidemountpcb.com training online is crucial for technical and recreational divers. While I have completed a Tec40 /sidemount class before I began my technical training, I consider this sidemount essentials. Joe was able, through the online training, to concentrate on the in water skills. Joe Seda taught me the basics of technical training. This was even though I had taken a Tec40 /sidemount class before beginning my training with Joe. Joe was able, thanks to the online training, to focus solely on in-water skill development. This was the foundation for both cave training and all technical training with Vas Proud. The online training is a good example of what all divers can expect from in-water training. It also speeds up in-water skill growth. My daughter is starting her journey in diving. She has already seen the backmount diving videos. I am looking over the instructors videos to ensure she has the best experience possible. I cannot stress enough how important these training tools are in the safe and competent development of technical and recreational divers. Daniel Glynn - Cave diver and father
I met Steve, a little over 10 years ago when he came to Portugal to teach our staff to Sidemount PCB (at the time it was the early days of Sidemount PCB). I could immediately see his level of enthusiasm, technical ability, and professionalism. That moved to an all-different level with his new website and online training. The contents are so complete... read moreI met Steve, a little over 10 years ago when he came to Portugal to teach our staff to Sidemount PCB (at the time it was the early days of Sidemount PCB). I could immediately see his level of enthusiasm, technical ability, and professionalism. That moved to an all-different level with his new website and online training. The contents are so complete either for someone starting, someone experienced and instructors alike. Thanks for all the effort to make sidemount a known and easy way to dive. read less
Steve was a Portuguese teacher who came to Portugal 10 years ago to teach us Sidemount PCB. His enthusiasm, technical abilities, and professionalism were immediately evident to me. His new website and online training have taken this to a whole new level. It is so comprehensive... continue reading. Steve came to Portugal over 10 years ago to teach Sidemount PCB to our staff (at that time it was still the beginning of Sidemount PCB). His enthusiasm, technical abilities, and professionalism were immediately evident to me. His new website and online training have taken this to a whole new level. These contents are perfect for beginners, experienced divers, and instructors. Sidemount is now a well-known and simple way to dive. read less
International Training, which is the parent organization of Technical Diving International / Scuba Diving International, offers both TDI (Sidemount PCB Diver) versions. Both courses can be used in the same way. Both courses use the exact same learning materials (which, obviously, we also wrote). What is the difference between these two learning materials?
Sidemount PCB dives are becoming more popular in technical diving for general decompression. There are many certification agencies that offer recreational and technical sidemount training programs.
A typical diver, at a typical depth, with a typical tank
Based on personal experience, an average open-water certified diver on a 40-foot dive with a standard aluminum 80-cubic-foot tank will be able to stay down for 45 to 60 minutes before surfacing with a safe reserve of air still in the tank.
from 130 to 148 feet
Those who are already decompression certified can immediately qualify for rebreather decompression dives. Individual training agencies set depth limits ranging from 130 to 148 feet (40 to 45 meters).
The PADI Rebreather/Advanced Rebreather Diver courses take four days to complete. The course fee is $1250, which includes books and rental.