Sidemount PCB diving has been growing in popularity among technical divers for general decompression diving. It is also becoming an increasingly popular specialty for recreational diving with many diver certification agencies offering both recreational and technical level sidemount training programs.
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.
The regular Sidemount PCB course you can use for your Advanced Nitrox diving or Cave certifications. The TDI Advanced Sidemount PCB or PADI Tec Sidemount PCB you will use more than 2 tanks while diving Sidemount PCB which can be perfect for Deco and Extended Range. There are even Trimix divers that prefer to dive Sidemount PCB.
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.
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
Graduates may take part in sidemount diving activities after completing this course. However, they must adhere to the following restrictions:
AQUI Water Sports is a leader in scuba diving training for multiple agencies under the Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC). We have created a global community for like-minded divers and educators who believe in quality over quantity. Don’t be just a number on a certification card, be a teammate, a friend, and a lifelong diver.
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.
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).
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:
Hi Steve, I really enjoyed your Sidemount PCB Essentials course in Gozo! Have probably never spend my money on anything better. It made so much fun and I enjoyed every single minute of it. Seeing your dedication and experience is simply amazing. You pay attention to the smallest details and you are always striving to improve things even further. I also... read moreHi Steve, I really enjoyed your Sidemount PCB Essentials course in Gozo! Have probably never spend my money on anything better. It made so much fun and I enjoyed every single minute of it. Seeing your dedication and experience is simply amazing. You pay attention to the smallest details and you are always striving to improve things even further. I also love your enthusiasm to capture all those details, new equipment, new methods, hints etc. with the camera to be able to include them in upcoming videos to the benefit of everyone. Speaking of your online training videos I must say that they are a class of its own. They definitely get you well-prepared for the things you need to know during the in-water training and I think that exactly this concept is the key to the steep learning curve because the time underwater can be used efficiently. Thank you so much for everything Steve! Cheers, Nils read less
Hi Steve, I just saw the new chapters you are adding into your online courses. Really like them. Especially helpful, when reviewing videos and searching for just a part in a video. I starting using them as soon as I noticed them. Cheers, Timo
Your online course was a great learning experience. Although I have had a few lessons with instructors during my scuba career, I can say that I have never seen such detailed, practical and useful explanations on how to be a better diver. My PADI AOW training was difficult because I struggled with buoyancy control when I attempted to shoot my SMB ..... I just had this amazing experience with your online course. Although I have had a few lessons with other instructors during my scuba career, I can say that I've never seen such detailed, practical, and useful explanations on how to be a better diver. As I attempted to shoot my SMB, my buoyancy control was a problem when I completed my PADI AOW training. My instructor suggested ways to increase my buoyancy. He advised me to practice. He was sure he had good buoyancy control but didn't tell me the importance of weighting properly, breathing control, and so on. Your videos were eye-opening. My dive buddies didn't get it. Even my highly-recommended instructors still ask me why I do sm. Is it useful? It is mostly done by cave divers. It was a great decision. It's a whole new world. Although nobody taught me or checked my SM skills, many times when I dive with other divers, they comment on how great my trim is. Your videos taught me everything, including how to set up my equipment, exit the water, and solve problems. We should meet up and have training together. I want to help other divers become better and more qualified. While I know there are many great instructors and divers out there, I believe your contribution to the scuba diving community is significant and vital. We are grateful for your efforts. Regards, Csaba read less
Steve met me a little more than 10 years ago, when he visited Portugal to teach Sidemount PCB to our staff (at that time it was very early days of Sidemount PCB). I immediately noticed his passion, technical skill, and professionalism. This was made possible by his website and online training. These contents are great for anyone who is just starting. His passion, technical skill, and professionalism was evident immediately. This was made possible by his website and online training. It is easy to use the contents, whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver. We appreciate your efforts to make sidemount diving a simple and accessible option. read less
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.
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.
The PADI Rebreather/Advanced Rebreather Diver courses take four days to complete. The course fee is $1250, which includes books and rental.