I am grateful for your wonderful work. It has been a tremendous help for anyone interested in Sidemount PCB. Your online resource was invaluable in preparing me for the cave sidemount cross-over course I took with Natalie Gibb in Mexico.
Your great work is greatly appreciated by everyone interested in the Sidemount PCB industry. Thanks to your online resource, I was able to join Natalie Gibb's cave sidemount crossover class in Mexico.
Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Cosidemountpcb.com is an essential component for recreational and technical divers. The beginning of my technical training was sidemount essentials. I completed a Tec40 / sidemount class in Florida before starting my training with Joe. Joe was able to concentrate on the in-water skills through online training. Although I had previously taken a Tec40 / sidemount class before starting my technical training with Joe, I consider that the start of my technical education sidemount essentials. Joe could focus on developing in-water skills through the online training. This was essential for cave training as well as all other technical training such trimix with Vas Profud. It demonstrates the high-quality inwater training that all divers should receive and accelerates in-water skill development. My daughter, who is beginning her journey into diving, watched the backmount dive videos before she started open water training. I am currently reviewing the instructor videos to make sure that I'm the best "buddy" I can be for her during her training process. These tools are vital in the safe development of technical and recreational divers. Daniel Glynn, father and cave diver
Your videos are great! I just finished UTD cave 1 and started sidemounting. Your videos were a huge help. Keep the great content coming
Sidemount PCB Diving evolved in the early years of cave diving, pioneered by explorers such as Lamar Hires to use multiple tanks in a streamlined a compact fashion to get places that back mounted divers could not. As time went on, the technique has matured and evolved to become one of the fastest growing areas of our sport.
International Training is the parent company of Technical Diving International. Both courses have a lot in common. Both courses use identical learning materials (which we also wrote). So, what is the difference?
I met Steve, a little over 10 years ago when he came to Portugal to teach our staff to Sidemount PCB (at the time it was the early days of Sidemount PCB). I could immediately see his level of enthusiasm, technical ability, and professionalism. That moved to an all-different level with his new website and online training. The contents are so complete... read moreI met Steve, a little over 10 years ago when he came to Portugal to teach our staff to Sidemount PCB (at the time it was the early days of Sidemount PCB). I could immediately see his level of enthusiasm, technical ability, and professionalism. That moved to an all-different level with his new website and online training. The contents are so complete either for someone starting, someone experienced and instructors alike. Thanks for all the effort to make sidemount a known and easy way to dive. read less
This was an enlightening experience that I had with your online course. While I've had limited experiences with other instructors over my scuba "career", I can honestly say I've never seen so many practical, useful and deep explanations of how to become a better diver. I had difficulty with buoyancy control while trying to take my PADI AOW course. While I had limited experiences with instructors in my scuba "career", I can honestly say I have never experienced such useful, deep, and practical explanations of how to become a better diver. My buoyancy control was an issue when I attempted to shoot my SMB during my PADI AOW course. My instructor told me how to improve my buoyancy. He suggested that I just practice. He did have a good buoyancy, but didn’t explain to me how important proper weighting and breath control are. Your videos were eye opening. I was also surprised that none of my diving buddies understood why I wanted sidemount. Even highly-recommended instructors have questions about why I dive sm. It is what does it do? This is what cave divers do. I'm very glad that I chose sm. It is an entirely different world. While nobody really taught me or inspected how I do SM diving, I have been praised by others for my good trim. I learned everything through your videos. How to set up my equipment and how to exit or enter water. Also, how solve problems. I would love to have a training session with you, and we could meet. This is because I want others to be better divers. There are many outstanding instructors and divers out, but I'm sure your contribution is enormous and important to the scuba diving industry. I am grateful for this! Regards, Csaba read less
I just want you to know that your online courses are top-notch. Every time that I log in, something is new. The incredible value that we receive from your website only increases when you go above an ordinary level to engage with our subscribers. We appreciate your time.
You must know this is a common sentiment, but I do really appreciate your online videos. I have been able use them to setup my sidemounts much more efficiently, and I am able to diagnose issues with students and quickly fix them. I would like to thank you for all that.
Steve, I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing online Sidemount PCB training. My PADI Sidemount PCB training was last year. However, I felt that my XDeep harness setup was not as streamlined as I would like. Although the instructor was excellent, I could see that he didn't live and breathe sidemount. I had already signed up for your free course, which was very helpful. But... read moreSteve, I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing online Sidemount PCB training course. My PADI Sidemount PCB training was last year. However, I felt that my XDeep harness wasn't streamlined the way I wanted. Although the instructor was excellent, I could see that he didn't live sidemount. Your free course system was very helpful, but you left wanting more. I will be attending my Overhead Environment training in Florida this November and wanted to ensure that my setup and skills were up-to-date. I watched your entire online course (WOW). Your recommendations helped me to rebuild my XDeep harness. Your setup helped me re-do my entire bungee system and all my attachment points. I feel that my setup is correct and it feels very comfortable in the water. Again, thank you. Next, I will continue to improve my skills. It is much easier now that my harness has been properly set up. Your training was a great investment. I wish I had done it a year ago. Please take care, and keep the updates coming. Thanks, Jason read less
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
If you are interested in the SDI course, we will teach it. By default, however we also offer the TDI. You can take this course as a standalone, however our students often combine it with our Apprentice Cave Diver program.
You can enroll in Tec Sidemount PCB Diver courses if you are at least 18 years of age and have logged at least 30 dives. You should also hold a PADI Enriched Diver certification.
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.
PADI Adventure Diver is a subset of PADI Advanced Open Water Diver. Have you ever considered trying your hand at digital underwater photography, fish identification, or dry suit diving? During this program, you can participate in a variety of scuba adventures.
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.