International Training, the parent organization for Scuba Diving International (SDI) and Technical Diving International (TDI) offers both SDI and TDI versions of their Sidemount PCB Diver course. Both courses are very similar. Both use the same learning materials (which, by the way, we wrote). So what’s the difference?
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.
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
Steve, thank you for the Sidemount PCB Essentials Course in Gozo. I've never spent more money on something better. It was great fun. I enjoyed every second of it. It is amazing to see your passion and experience. Your attention to details is remarkable and you never stop trying to improve. I also enjoyed... Continue reading Steve! I thoroughly enjoyed your Sidemount PCB Essentials Course in Gozo. I've never spent more money on anything. It was great fun. I loved every second of it. It is amazing to see your passion and experience. You are meticulous and pay attention to every detail. I love your passion to capture details, new equipment and hints. You can use the camera to capture them and include them in future videos. I have to say that your online training videos are exceptional. They will get you prepared for what you will need during in-water training. This concept I believe is key to the steep learning curve, as you can make the most of your time underwater. Steve, thanks so much! Nils read more
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
AQUI Water Sports is a leader in scuba diving training for multiple agencies under the Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC). We have created a global community for like-minded divers and educators who believe in quality over quantity. Don’t be just a number on a certification card, be a teammate, a friend, and a lifelong diver.
Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training CourseSteve, thank you so much for your amazing online Sidemount PCB Course. Although I completed my PADI SidemountPCB training last year, I always felt my XDeep Harness setup wasn't as streamlined as it should be. While the instructor was great, it was clear that he didn’t live and breathe sidemount. I had signed up with your course system at the time, which was useful but... continue readingSteve, thank you so much for your amazing online Sidemount PCB course. Although I completed my PADI SidemountPCB training last year, I always felt my XDeep Harness setup was not as streamlined as I would like. While the instructor was great, I could tell that he wasn't a sidemount expert. I had already signed up for your free course program, which was useful but left me wanting more. I'm going to Florida for my Overhead Environment training and wanted to be sure that my setup was up to par. Your entire online course (WOW) was very helpful. I followed all of your advice and rebuilt my XDeep Harness setup. Your system helped me to re-do all of my bungee systems, attachment points, and wing. I am happy with my setup and feel very comfortable in water. Thank you again. Next up is learning all the skills that I can now work on because my harness is properly setup. I wish I would have spent the money on your training one year ago. Keep up the good work and take care. Thanks, Jason read less
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:
You can immediately get the PADI Sidemount PB Diver manual and the Tec Sidemount PB Diver manual from your local PADI Dive Shop. You'll only need Chapters Two through Three if you are a recreational sidemount diver. If not, you can read the whole manual.
Certification cards: We issue these only when earned. Simply taking part in a course does not guarantee certification. For cave courses, certification cards from multiple training agencies may be available. C-cards generally cost around $30 each, depending on agency. Your instructor can tell you more.
If you are ready to learn SCUBA Diving, register here to take your Open Water Diver course. For continuing education, visit us in store to help develop a pathway to achieve your diving goals.
Sidemount PCB harness: This is a specialized Harness, similar to a BCD. It's very light and low in weight. This harness has several D rings on the shoulder straps. It also features a Buttplate that can be fitted with rings or sliders.
Computer-aided instruction forms an integral part of most courses we teach. Why? The reason is simple. eLearning helps students get in the water earlier and spend more of their time there. That is why we charge no additional for any applicable online eLearning programs. These are typically $140. This can translate into an additional day in-water instruction. That is how valuable it is. Priceless.
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.
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).
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.