Steve, I want to thank all sections of your online courses. It was worth the effort. I learned a lot more online than my brain could comprehend. Your videos are clearer than any book or other material. I'm going to be repeating the most important lessons in the water course. Regards Rafal
Steve, just wanted to thank you for your incredible online Sidemount PCB course. I did my PADI Sidemount PCB training last year but always felt like my XDeep harness setup wasn't streamlined where I wanted it. The instructor was good, but I could tell he did not live and breathe sidemount. At the time I had signed up with your free course system which was helpful but... read moreSteve, just wanted to thank you for your incredible online Sidemount PCB course. I did my PADI Sidemount PCB training last year but always felt like my XDeep harness setup wasn't streamlined where I wanted it. The instructor was good, but I could tell he did not live and breathe sidemount. At the time I had signed up with your free course system which was helpful but obviously left you wanting more. I am doing my Overhead Environment training this November in Florida and wanted to make sure my skills and setup were up to speed. After watching your entire online course (WOW). I decided to rebuild my XDeep harness setup using all your recommendations. I re-did my entire bungee system, my attachment points, wing, etc... all using your setup. I finally feel my setup is where it needs to be, and I felt very comfortable in the water. So again, thank you. Next is working on all my skills which are much easier to work on now that my harness is setup correctly. Wish I spent the money on your training a year ago. Take care and please keep the updates coming. Thanks, Jason read less
Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training HeadAre you a Technical Diver? Great! In addition to the standard mixes, we have several banks of helium, and can partial pressure blend any desired fill. If you want to become a tech-diver, click here for more information going past recreational limits.
Stage-only diving is the use of standard deco/stage cylinder configuration, without back-mounted cylinders, on an otherwise standard, or partly modified tec/rec BCD. The lower cylinder is attached to waist D-Rings and the upper cylinder to shoulder D-Rings, both via direct bolt-snap. Some divers (untrained in specific sidemount diving techniques) often incorrectly assume this approach to be sidemount diving. No bungee cord is utilised in the upper attachment, causing the cylinders to hang low beneath the diver and not in line (parallel) with their torso beneath their armpits. Without change of the BCD design, the lack of back-mounted cylinders also causes taco’ing of wing designs and much instability.
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.
You will need the same equipment as the course to learn how to operate and set up the equipment you'll use for your tech diving training. This includes:
Steve, thank you so much for your amazing online Sidemount PCB Course. Although I completed my PADI SidemountPCB training last year, I always felt my XDeep Harness setup wasn't as streamlined as it should be. While the instructor was great, it was clear that he didn’t live and breathe sidemount. I had signed up with your course system at the time, which was useful but... continue readingSteve, thank you so much for your amazing online Sidemount PCB course. Although I completed my PADI SidemountPCB training last year, I always felt my XDeep Harness setup was not as streamlined as I would like. While the instructor was great, I could tell that he wasn't a sidemount expert. I had already signed up for your free course program, which was useful but left me wanting more. I'm going to Florida for my Overhead Environment training and wanted to be sure that my setup was up to par. Your entire online course (WOW) was very helpful. I followed all of your advice and rebuilt my XDeep Harness setup. Your system helped me to re-do all of my bungee systems, attachment points, and wing. I am happy with my setup and feel very comfortable in water. Thank you again. Next up is learning all the skills that I can now work on because my harness is properly setup. I wish I would have spent the money on your training one year ago. Keep up the good work and take care. Thanks, Jason read less
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
Blue Label Diving proudly offers Sidemount PCB Diving Classes from SSI through TDI in Phuket Thailand. From recreational sidemount diving with two tanks to technical sidemounting for overhead environments in high-end settings, up to instructor level. There is one problem: once you are able to sidemount, you may never be able to go back to backmount dives.
Thanks so much to you Steve, and to Vas for your mentoring. Not asking questions and exploring options, tends to put a stop to the progression of safety and growth in diving. I have studied in depth your online teachings for 2 years now and counting. I have practiced and trained muscle memory but most importantly never kept my mouth shut if other divers ask... read moreThanks so much to you Steve, and to Vas for your mentoring. Not asking questions and exploring options, tends to put a stop to the progression of safety and growth in diving. I have studied in depth your online teachings for 2 years now and counting. I have practiced and trained muscle memory but most importantly never kept my mouth shut if other divers ask me. The results are incredible as they now see a better way. I must also say that in my 2 years of learning, you were always kind enough to explain, or give me an idea for improvement!!! There is always an opportunity to ask, learn, teach, discuss, and grow. In diving there should be no stupid questions. I’m sure I will open my mouth in future to ask another question!! Lol
Steve and I first met 10 years back when he traveled to Portugal to train our staff in Sidemount PCB. (At the time, it was still the beginning of Sidemount PCB). I could instantly see his passion, technical ability, professionalism. The website and online learning have made this possible. These contents can be used by anyone, starting from someone... continue reading. Steve first came to Portugal 10 years ago to train our staff in Sidemount PCB (at that time it wasn't the beginning of Sidemount PCB). I immediately noticed his passion, technical proficiency, and professionalism. The website and online courses have made this a new experience. You can find everything you need, whether you're a beginner, an instructor or an expert. Sidemount is now an easy way to learn how to dive. read less
Grab the PADI Sidemount PB Diver and Tec Sidemount PB Diver Manual at your local PADI Dive Shop, and get started immediately. If you are a recreational diver, you can focus on Chapters Two to Three. Otherwise, you can go through the entire manual.
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.