Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Manual

Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Regimen

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?

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.

Love your vids Steve. I'm from Nova Scotia Canada. I got my tdi certificate in August. I bought your online course to complement my training. It's really helped me! Thank you

Sidemount PCB divers are increasingly becoming popular among technical divers. This is a great option for recreational and technical decompression diving.

Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Hawaii

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 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 was instantly impressed by his technical proficiency, enthusiasm, and professionalism. The website and online learning have made this possible. It's so extensive... Continue reading. Steve first came to Portugal in the early days for Sidemount PCB training. 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 or a seasoned diver. Sidemount diving is now easy thanks to your hard work. read less

Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Manual
Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Hawaii
Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training 600

Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training 600

These cards are only issued to those who have earned them. Participating in a course is not a guarantee of certification. Certification cards may be offered by multiple agencies for cave courses. C-cards cost $30 to $30 per card, depending on the agency. Ask your instructor for more information.

I have never tried sidemount before but from studying his online video training, I knew that Steve was the perfect man to teach me and be confident about it. ...And I wasn't wrong! It was truly a life experience week!!! The Sidemount PCB Essentials course has far exceeded my expectations. Steve is a great teacher, has a lot of patience and puts a lot of time... read moreI have never tried sidemount before but from studying his online video training, I knew that Steve was the perfect man to teach me and be confident about it. ...And I wasn't wrong! It was truly a life experience week!!! The Sidemount PCB Essentials course has far exceeded my expectations. Steve is a great teacher, has a lot of patience and puts a lot of time and effort in everything he does with his students. Everything is planned and worked with great detail. I found it a memorable and a rewarding experience. The Sidemount PCB Essentials Course transformed my diving. My awareness and skills level under water raised where I never expected in such a short period of time. Everything is in the right place... the harness set up, the weight amount and position, the cylinder trim and your balance in the water. This makes you feel very relaxed, confident and experience the true sidemount set up... and no back pain!!! ?? The course was very demanding yet very enjoyable. Every day starts with a theoretical and planning session and ends with a video review about our drills in the water where everything is discussed in great detail. We drained our cylinders every time we went into the water and that's why our learning curve is so high! Everything was done in a relaxed and secure atmosphere yet with extraordinary professionalism. Don't think twice about taking this course with Steve. If you are truly engaged in Sidemount PCB and want to be a great diver, Steve will help you to achieve more than you ever expected! read less

Is Titanic still at the bottom of the ocean

Items such as cylinders and primary lights, which my be difficult to travel with, are available for rental. Be sure to alert us if you will need any of these.

Love your vids Steve. I'm located in Nova Scotia Canada. In August, I received my tdi Sm certification. Your online course is a supplement to my training. It's been very helpful! Thank you!

Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Co. Ltd
Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Co. Ltd

Steve/Vas, your instructor series is phenomenal. Please let me be the first to say you are correct in what you say. One can teach themselves how to SM just by watching the videos as I have done. However, I did compromise/sacrifice my learning curve without one of you (SM essentials instructor). It took me almost one year to get pretty good with AL80s. I then... read moreSteve/Vas, your instructor series is phenomenal. Please let me be the first to say you are correct in what you say. One can teach themselves how to SM just by watching the videos as I have done. However, I did compromise/sacrifice my learning curve without one of you (SM essentials instructor). It took me almost one year to get pretty good with AL80s. I then took the first level of tech diving a year after that and told my tech instructor I was doing it in SM configuration. I had to tell him I taught myself which he responded with “you most likely will have to take a SM workshop with me depending on how I do on dive one”. After the first dive he said “there is no reason for you to take a class with me”. So your online training is spot on but if I had it to do all over again I would see your guy Joe Seda first. I will, in the future, take the course with him so I can be the best I can be. Regards Tony read less

Sidemount PCB Diving began in the early years cave diving. Lamar Hires pioneered this technique by using multiple tanks in an efficient and compact manner to reach places that back mounted divers couldn’t. As the sport grew, this technique evolved and became one of the fastest growing.

Technical Dive Computers

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Thank you for your great work, it is a huge help for everyone getting into the Sidemount PCB world. I recently did a cave sidemount crossover course with Natalie Gibb in Mexico and could join her Training well prepared due to your online resource.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The PADI Rebreather/Advanced Rebreather Diver courses take four days to complete. The course fee is $1250, which includes books and rental.

According to experts, approximately 40% of technical divers enroll in additional education and training programs. This yields a reasonable estimate of approximately 160,000 active technical divers worldwide.

2-3 hours

Even with small cylinders, you can usually dive for 2-3 hours (rebreathers typically have two 2/3l cylinders or one 3/5l cylinder).