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.
Sidemounting is something I haven't tried before. However, from watching his video training online, I knew Steve was the best man to teach me this skill and give me confidence about it. I was not wrong! It was truly life-changing! Sidemount PCB Essentials was beyond my expectations. Steve is a great teacher. He is patient and gives a lot of his time. I was absolutely right! It was truly life-changing! Sidemount PCB Essentials was beyond my expectations. Steve is an excellent teacher. He's patient, hardworking and puts in a lot to every lesson he gives. Everything is planned and done with great attention to detail. It was an unforgettable and enjoyable experience. Sidemount PCB Essentials Course completely transformed my diving. In a matter of a few weeks, my awareness level and skills were higher than I could have ever imagined. Everything is in place: your harness set-up, your weight and position, the trim of the cylinder, and your overall balance in the water. This gives you the feeling of true sidemount setup, with no back pain and makes you feel more confident and relaxed. This course was difficult but enjoyable. Every day started with a planning and theoretical session. Each day ends with a video review and discussion about the drills we performed in the water. The learning curve was steepened because we had a tendency to drain our cylinders whenever we were in the water. All was handled with professionalism and in a comfortable, safe environment. Steve will make this course easy for you. Steve will help to make you a better diver! read less
You can rent items like primary lights and cylinders, which may be difficult to carry. Please let us know if you need these.
As your goal in taking this course is to learn the basic set up and operation of the equipment you will use as part of your cave and/or tech diver training, you will need that same equipment for this course. This includes:
One of the most important innovations in the equipment cave divers now use is the move from backmounted to sidemount doubles. While a large number of cave divers now sidemount their equipment, it is possible that there are many more open-circuit sidemount cavers than backmount.
Steve, thanks so much! Vas, thank you for your mentoring. If you don't ask questions or explore the options, it can put an end to your safety and growth as a diver. I have been studying your online courses for over two years. I have practiced and developed muscle memory, but more importantly, I have never been afraid to ask questions of other divers. Read moreThanks Steve, and Vas for your mentorship. If you don't ask questions or explore the options, it can impede your progress in safety and growth as a diver. I have been studying in depth your online teachings for the past 2 years. I have practiced and developed muscle memory but, most importantly, I have not kept my mouth closed when divers ask me questions. As they now see the best way, the results are astounding. I also want to thank you for being so patient with me over the past 2 years. There are always opportunities to ask, learn and teach, as well as discuss, and grow. You should not ask stupid questions while diving. I'm sure I'll open my mouth again to ask another question! Lol
If you're at the age of 18 and have logged at minimum 30 dives, you can apply for a Tec SIDEMOUNT PCB Diver course. It is highly recommended to also have a PADI Enriched A Diver certification.
This course will teach you about sidemount diving, and how to create a tec sidemount helmet. One confined water session, four open water sessions and hands-on training are included. You will start with two tanks and expand to at least two additional tanks.
Sidemount PCB Diving was developed in the early days of cave diving. It was pioneered in this way by Lamar Hires, who used multiple tanks in a compact and streamlined manner to reach places back mounted divers couldn't. The technique has grown to be one of the most popular in our sport.
Thank you for this wonderful online course. I have had only a handful of experiences with other instructors in my diving 'career'. However, I can honestly state that I have never seen such an informative, detailed and practical explanation about how to become better scuba divers. As I was trying to get my SMB .... photo, my buoyancy control was very poor. This is why I found your online course so helpful. I had only a handful of experiences with other instructors over my scuba diving 'career'. However, I can honestly state that I have never received such practical, useful, and thorough explanations about how I could become a better scuba diver. I had difficulty controlling my buoyancy when I tried to shoot the SMB. My instructor advised me on how to increase my buoyancy. He simply suggested practicing. He seemed to have good buoyancy control. However, he didn’t explain how weighting and breathing are important. Your videos were very eye-opening. And, of course, every single one of my dive buddies didn’t understand why I wanted the sidemount. Even though I am a highly recommended instructor, they still question me about why I would dive sm. What is its purpose? Most cave divers use it. I am glad I chose to sm. It's an entirely new world. It is a different world. Although no one really taught or tested me on SM, there are many times that I dive with friends and they compliment my trim. Your videos helped me learn everything. I learned how to set up my equipment, enter and exit water, and solve any problems. I hope that we can meet and do a training together. I want other divers to improve their skills and be more competent. I'm sure there are many other excellent instructors and divers, but I believe that your contribution is vital and essential to the success of the scuba diving profession. I appreciate your kindness! Regards, Csaba 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.
Qualifying certifications from another diver training organization may also be available - ask your Tec Sidemount PCB Coach.
TDI Advanced Nitrox and Decompression ProceduresThese are the first two classes of technical diving and represent the first step on the road to becoming an elite diver.Best taken together, these classes will train you to safely use gas mixtures with up to 100% oxygen and execute staged decompression diving to a depth of 150'.
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).
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.
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.
5-6 days
Rebreather training classes are typically 5-6 days long, but can be longer depending on a variety of factors such as the training agency, your local conditions, your instructor, and your ability to meet the class standards.