Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Institute

Side Mount Diving

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. Your passion and knowledge are truly amazing. You pay attention even to the smallest details, and you always strive to improve them. I love your passion for capturing... moreHi Steve! I thoroughly enjoyed your Sidemount PCB Essentials Course in Gozo! I've never spent more money on anything. It was so much fun. It's amazing to see the dedication and your experience. 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. You will be able include them in future videos. Your online training videos, I have to say they are exceptional. They prepare you for all the necessary information during in-water training. And I think this is what makes the steep learning curve so manageable underwater. Steve, I am so grateful for your efforts! Nils, cheers!

Easy to carry around, flexible, no metal or aluminium back plates. Lightweight, easy-to-adjust, easy to get in and back out of the water.

Technical Dives —

Steve, thank you so much for your mentorship. The lack of asking questions and exploring all options can prevent you from progressing in safety and learning more about diving. I have been studying in depth your online trainings for two years and counting. I have trained and practiced muscle memory, but most importantly, I never kept my mouth shut when other divers asked... read onThanks Steve and Vas for your mentoring. The lack of asking questions and exploring all options can stop you from progressing in safety and learning more about diving. I have studied your online courses for two years and counting. I have trained and practiced muscle memory, but more importantly, I have never been afraid to tell others if they ask. It is amazing how they see the world in a better light. I want to mention that during my 2 years of training, you were always kind enough and willing to answer any questions or offer suggestions for improvement. You have the opportunity to ask questions, share your knowledge, teach others, and learn. No stupid questions are acceptable in diving. I'm certain I will ask another question in the future! Lol

Sidemount PCB diving is now growing in popularity within the technical diving community for general decompression diving and is becoming an increasingly popular specialty training for recreational diving, with several diver certification agencies offering recreational and technical level sidemount training programs

What is the smallest rebreather

The benefits of sidemount diving will be explained and you'll also learn how to install a tec-sidemount harness. This training includes four open water dives and one confined water. You will have two tanks to start with and two tanks to add, possibly six.

Steve came to Portugal in the early days for Sidemount PCB, and I was there to meet him. I was immediately impressed by his enthusiasm, technical skills, and professionalism. With his new website, and online training, this has been elevated to a completely different level. It has so many great contents... read moreI first met Steve in Portugal 10 years ago, when he was visiting to teach Sidemount PCB to his staff. I was immediately impressed by his enthusiasm, technical skills, and professionalism. With his new website, and online training, this has been elevated to a completely different level. This website is perfect for both beginners and experienced divers. Thank you for making sidemount an easy and familiar way to learn to dive. read less

Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Institute
What is the smallest rebreather
Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Key Largo

Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Key Largo

I just have this enlightening experience with your online course. I had few experiences with other instructors in my scuba 'career', but I can honestly say that I never saw such a useful, deep, and practical explanations about how to become a better scuba diver. When I did my PADI AOW training, I was struggling with buoyancy control as I tried to shoot my SMB.... read moreI just have this enlightening experience with your online course. I had few experiences with other instructors in my scuba 'career', but I can honestly say that I never saw such a useful, deep, and practical explanations about how to become a better scuba diver. When I did my PADI AOW training, I was struggling with buoyancy control as I tried to shoot my SMB. I asked my instructor how to improve my buoyancy. He said just practice. He had a good buoyancy control surely, but didn't explain to me about the importance of proper weighting, breath control, etc. Your videos were eye opener. Not to mention that every one of my dive buddy didn't really understand why I wanted to dive sidemount. Even now highly recommended instructors ask me why I dive sm. What is the use of it? Mostly cave divers do it. I am very happy that I did choose sm. It is a different world. Nobody really taught me or checked how I do SM, but many times I dive with others, they mention how good my trim is. I learned everything from your videos, how to setup my equipment, enter or exit water, or solve problems, etc. I hope we can meet sometimes and can have a training together, because I want to improve and help others to become much better, quality divers. I am sure that there many excellent divers and instructors out there, but I am sure that your contribution to the scuba diving society is huge and very important. Thank you for that! Regards, Csaba read less

Our experiences are UNIQUE as they are personalized for you, and your group. From exploring our local barrier reefs, swimming with wild dolphins and sharks, discovering shipwrecks, and cleaning up our oceans, we’ve got an experience for you.

Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Shoes

You are eligible to take a Tec sidemount PCB diver course if you're at least 18 and have logged 30 dives. A PADI Enriched Water Diver certification is recommended.

This course provides you with the theory, methods, and procedures of planned staged decompression diving while using optimal breathing gas mixtures. Participants will learn how to plan and conduct a standard staged decompression dive to depths not exceeding 130 fsw (40 msw).

How do I set up my Sidemount tank
How do I set up my Sidemount tank

Please send me a renewal code to the Package 1 Instructor Course. I look forward to my fifth year with sidemountpcb.com. Your team and you continue to be an inspiration and guidance source. All the best! Scott

Sidemount PCB has many benefits, but it is particularly well-suited for cave diving. Cave divers were the ones who invent sidemount. Here are some of these benefits:

Technical Diving Computer

Love your vids Steve. I’m in Nova Scotia Canada. Just got my tdi sm cert in August. I bought your online course to supplement my training. It’s helped me a lot! Thank you

Sidemount PCB Stage: This is the place where the diver sets up cylinders by attaching tank straps or bungee to clips and using special valves (left- and/or right-handed). Sidemount configuration: This is the practice of using bungee loops/or buttplate rails as a way to store stage/decocylinders in an organized manner against your sides, while diving in back-mounted doubles/CCR.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is the Tec 40 Course? Your first step into technical diving is the PADI Tec 40 course. It is a fundamental level of decompression diving that allows you to dive with gas redundancy, higher Enriched Air mixes of up to 50%, decompression on EANX 50% for conservatism, and up to 10 minutes of decompression.

Tec divers can visit reefs and wrecks at depths well below the recreational limit of 40 meters/130 feet. They can explore underwater caves and other locations far beyond the reach of mainstream sport diving with specialized training.