Your work is greatly appreciated, started sidemounting with your online videos, completed a speciality course on it and just finished my UTD cave 1 a couple of days ago. Learning from your videos made a massive difference, so hats off Sir. Keep the great content coming ??
Your online training is excellent. Every time I log into my account, I learn something new. Your site is full of incredible value. It's even more amazing that you engage with your subscribers. We appreciate your time.
Hi Steve, Your tutorials are amazing and are a valuable addition to any instructor’s toolbox. I teach PADI in Cyprus, and I took a few courses trying to master this type of diving that although came from cave diving, became very popular among recreational divers . But I found that only using your technique , I am certifying capable and confident sidemount divers , which... read moreHi Steve, Your tutorials are amazing and are a valuable addition to any instructor’s toolbox. I teach PADI in Cyprus, and I took a few courses trying to master this type of diving that although came from cave diving, became very popular among recreational divers . But I found that only using your technique , I am certifying capable and confident sidemount divers , which , I know, will not be a nightmare for any dive boat and/or Dive guide by using up double the space and needing double the time to kit up. I also know that they will look streamlined underwater and be safe. And it is all due to your structured approach in explaining every aspect of sidemount diving , where configuration is crucial. I would not hesitate to recommend it to any instructor teaching sidemount! Thank you very much ! read less
Steve/Vas Your instructor series is incredible. Let me be the one to confirm what you said. It is easy to learn SM from watching videos like I have. However, I did have to sacrifice my learning curve in order to avoid having to rely on SM essentials instructors. To become proficient in AL80s took almost a full year. I then... Read moreSteve/Vas your instructor series was phenomenal. Let me be the one to confirm what you said. Watching videos like mine can help you learn SM. I did have to sacrifice my learning curve and compromise without a SM essentials instructor. I took almost a full year to become proficient with AL80s. After that, I took my first level in tech diving and informed my instructor that I was learning it in SM mode. He responded by saying that I learned the technique myself. Depending on how I did on dive 1, he may have to teach me SM workshops. After the first dive, he stated that "there's no reason for you not to take a course with me". Your online training was spot-on, but if I could do it over again, Joe Seda would be my first choice. I'm going to take the course with Joe Seda in the near future. Regards Tony read less
Steve, Your tutorials have been a tremendous help and are an invaluable addition to any instructor's arsenal. I teach PADI in Cyprus and took several courses to learn how this type of diving, which originated from cave diving has been very popular among recreational divers. I was able to certify confident sidemount divers using your method. I teach PADI in Cyprus and took several courses trying to master this type diving. Although it was originally cave diving, it has been very popular with recreational divers. I discovered that my technique is sufficient to certify competent, confident sidemount divers. The space required and time it takes to prepare for the dives, and the Dive Guide, are not a problem. I am also confident that they will be safe underwater and will appear streamlined. This is due to your systematic approach to explaining all aspects of sidemount diving. This approach is something I would recommend to anyone who teaches sidemount. Thank you so much! read less
It's easy to use, portable, no steel back plates or aluminium backplates, light weight, adjustable, easy get into and out of the water. This makes it ideal for divers with back problems, disabled divers and female divers.
Sidemount PCB refers to scuba divers who have their diving cylinders placed along the diver's side, below the shoulders, and along the hips. As smaller cave sections can be penetrated, the tanks can be changed more easily. This was originally a popular configuration for cave divers. Diving professionals who perform technical wreck diving penetrations recognized the same benefits. To teach scuba divers in Thailand, we have highly-trained instructors.
Sidemount PCB offers many benefits to any diver, but it's especially useful for cave diving. (It was actually cave divers that invented sidemount. These are just some of the benefits.
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
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.
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.
Blue Label Diving offers all levels of Sidemount PCB Diving courses from SSI, TDI, and PADI in Thailand. From recreational side mount diving in two tanks to advanced sidemounting in overhead environments, and even instructor level. Only problem is that you might never want to go back to backmount diving after you have mastered sidemount diving.
SidemountPCB is a type of scuba equipment that has diving tubes mounted on the sides of the diver. They are located below the shoulders and along their hips. It was first popularized by cave divers who can penetrate smaller sections of cave and can change tanks with greater ease. Divers who do technical wreck diving penetrations have also discovered the same benefits when operating in restricted spaces. We have qualified instructors who can teach scuba diver training in Thailand.
Yes Sidemount PCB started with the Cave diver, but you do not have to be a tech or cave diver to be able to dive on Sidemount PCB. PADI has a Side mount course in which you only carry one cylinder/tank on one of your sides instead of your back.
You must be a PADI Open Water Diver to enroll in the PADI Advanced Rebreather Diver course, but you must also be a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver to become a PADI Advanced Rebreather Diver. Have at least 30 dives under your belt.
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.
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.