Sidemount PCB Diving originated in cave diving's early days. Lamar Hires was the first to make use of multiple tanks in such a compact way that they could reach places that back-mounted divers couldn't. This technique has been gaining popularity and is now one of our fastest-growing areas.
Thank you for this wonderful online course. I have had only a handful of experiences with other instructors in my diving 'career'. However, I can honestly state that I have never seen such an informative, detailed and practical explanation about how to become better scuba divers. As I was trying to get my SMB .... photo, my buoyancy control was very poor. This is why I found your online course so helpful. I had only a handful of experiences with other instructors over my scuba diving 'career'. However, I can honestly state that I have never received such practical, useful, and thorough explanations about how I could become a better scuba diver. I had difficulty controlling my buoyancy when I tried to shoot the SMB. My instructor advised me on how to increase my buoyancy. He simply suggested practicing. He seemed to have good buoyancy control. However, he didn’t explain how weighting and breathing are important. Your videos were very eye-opening. And, of course, every single one of my dive buddies didn’t understand why I wanted the sidemount. Even though I am a highly recommended instructor, they still question me about why I would dive sm. What is its purpose? Most cave divers use it. I am glad I chose to sm. It's an entirely new world. It is a different world. Although no one really taught or tested me on SM, there are many times that I dive with friends and they compliment my trim. Your videos helped me learn everything. I learned how to set up my equipment, enter and exit water, and solve any problems. I hope that we can meet and do a training together. I want other divers to improve their skills and be more competent. I'm sure there are many other excellent instructors and divers, but I believe that your contribution is vital and essential to the success of the scuba diving profession. I appreciate your kindness! Regards, Csaba read less
Sidemount diving is allowed after successful completion of the course. As long as these limits are met, graduates can engage in sidemount dive activities without supervision.
If you're at the age of 18 and have logged at minimum 30 dives, you can apply for a Tec SIDEMOUNT PCB Diver course. It is highly recommended to also have a PADI Enriched A Diver certification.
Sidemount PCB staging - This is where the diver will set up cylinders with tank straps and bungee. This is when a diver uses a sidemount configuration (bungee loops, butt-plate rails, and/or bungee) to store stage/deco/cylinders in a compact manner against his torso.
PADI Sidemount PCB Diver. The PADI sidemount specialty provides training in the use of the sidemount gear configuration.
Blue Label Diving can offer Sidemount PCB Diving Courses in all levels from SSI to TDI to PADI in Phuket Thailand. From recreational side mount diving with two tanks, to advanced technical sidemounting within overhead environments, and even instructor-level sidemounting. You may not want to dive backmount again once you've learned side mount diving.
You'll learn about the advantages of diving with a sidemount configuration and how to set up a tec sidemount harness. You'll get hands-on training during one confined water session and four open water dives where you'll start with two tanks and add at least two more, maybe even getting to six sidemounted cylinders.
Here’s YOUR chance to help us CLEAN up the oceans, GIVE BACK to your community, VOLUNTEER for a greater purpose to give South Florida a healthy eco-system so it may THRIVE for years to come.
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 either for someone starting, someone... 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
The goal of this course is to teach you the basics of how to use the equipment in your cave or tech diver training. You will also need the same equipment for the course. This includes:
Join us for an AMAZING experience to Dive with Dolphins, Swim with Hammerheads, Explore Shipwrecks and the Cenotes of Mexico, Bask in the crystal waters of the Maldives, and more! You can feel safe diving with an experienced team.
Your great work is greatly appreciated by everyone interested in the Sidemount PCB industry. Thanks to your online resource, I was able to join Natalie Gibb's cave sidemount crossover class in Mexico.
International Training is the parent organization of Technical Diving International and Scuba Diving International. They offer both TDI and SDI versions of their Sidemount PCB Diver courses. Both courses are similar. Both courses use the same learning materials (which we also wrote). What's the difference between them?
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.