Sidemount is not something you'll be doing during cave diving training. Instead, you should look at our CDS Basics Orientation Course.
Your efforts are greatly appreciated. I began sidemounting using your online videos and completed a speciality class on it. Just a few days ago, I finished UTD Cave 1. Sir, it was a great learning experience. Keep the great content coming
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 has all changed with the launch of his website and online training. The contents are so extensive... read on Steve met me a little more than 10 years back when he visited Portugal to teach Sidemount PCB. (At the time, it was early days of Sidemount PCB). 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
Graduates of the NAUI Intro to Technical Diving course are qualified to pursue additional technical training based on their individual objectives and readiness to meet the rigors of technical diving. For many, enrollment in the NAUI Technical Decompression Diver program is the next logical step since this program introduces the use of optimal breathing gas and stage decompression for planning and operations.
Steve, your Sidemount PCB Essentials course was great! I have probably never spent my money on anything more. It was so much fun, and I loved every minute of it. Your dedication and experience are amazing. Your attention to detail is amazing and you always strive to improve the situation. I enjoyed the Sidemount PCB Essentials course at Gozo. I have probably never spent my money on anything more. It was so much fun, and I loved every minute of it. Your dedication and experience are amazing. Your attention to detail is amazing and you're always trying to improve. Your enthusiasm to capture every detail, whether it be new equipment or hints, is what I love. These details can be captured with the camera so that they can be included in future videos. Your online training videos are an excellent resource. These videos will prepare you for in-water training. I believe that this is the key to the steep learning curve. Because you can use your time underwater efficiently, it's possible to be well-prepared. Steve, thank you so much! Nils, Cheers!
You should know what you are getting. Prices include instruction fees and eLearning fees. Keep in mind that eLearning can cost anywhere from $140 up to $280. If you pay for elearning separately, then a course costing $640 from us could be the same price as a course costing $500 from another source.
Sidemount PCB provides many benefits for all divers, but is best suited to cave diving. (It was cave divers who created sidemount. These benefits include:
Technical diving is not the same as regular diving. Tech divers usually have multiple tanks. SidemountPCB is becoming a more popular method to configure multiple cylinders when technical diving. You can learn how to tec dive with the Tec Sidemount PCB Diver Course and then transfer your knowledge to other TecRec courses. The instructor might offer to incorporate this course into the Tec 40, Tec 45, or Tec 50 courses.
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.
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 are amazing. I will be the first to admit that you are right in everything you have said. Watching the videos can help anyone learn SM. I had to sacrifice my learning curve and compromise without a SM essentials instructor. It took me almost a year to become proficient with AL80s. I was then able to... read mehrSteve/Vas. Your series of instructors is simply amazing. I am sure you are right. Watching the videos can help anyone learn SM. Without you, my learning curve was compromised/sacrificed. It took me almost a year to become proficient in AL80s. My tech instructor told me that I was doing tech diving in SM configuration. I had to admit that I was a certified instructor. He replied by saying "You most likely will have a SM workshop with us depending on my performance on dive one". After my first dive, he told me that there was no reason not to take a class. Although your online training is great, I would still go to Joe Seda for the class if it were over. I will take his course in the future so that I can be my best. Regards Tony read less
Please send me an email with a renewal code. I look forward a 5th year of sidemountpcb.com. Your team and I continue to be a great source for inspiration and guidance. All the Best! Scott
Steve, I find your tutorials to be very helpful and valuable. I'm a PADI Instructor in Cyprus. I tried to master the sidemount diving style that, though it was originally from cave diving became very popular among recreational divers. I discovered that I can certify competent and confident sidemount divers by using only your technique. I'm a PADI Instructor in Cyprus. I tried to learn the techniques of this diving style that, while it originated from cave diving and is very popular among recreational divers. However, by only using your technique, I was able to certify competent and confident sidemount divers. I also know that this will not cause any problems for any Dive boat or guide, as it takes up half the space and takes twice the time to set up. I know they will be safe and look great underwater. Your structured approach to sidemount diving and explaining the importance of configuration is what makes it all possible. Instructors who teach sidemount would be proud to have you as a teacher. Many thanks! read less
Sidemount PCB Staging: This is where the diver puts in cylinders with tanks straps, clips, bungee, and special valves (left or right-handed). Sidemount configuration refers to the use of sidemount configurations (bungee loops or buttplate rails), which allows the diver to store stage/deco cylinders against the sides of his/her torso.
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).
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.
from 130 to 148 feet
Those who are already decompression certified can immediately qualify for rebreather decompression dives. Individual training agencies set depth limits ranging from 130 to 148 feet (40 to 45 meters).