Padi Sidemount Instructor

No-decompression Limit

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

Steve, we are grateful for your support and guidance. Do not hesitate to ask questions and to explore all possibilities. It can make it difficult to progress in safety and increase your diving skills. I have been studying the online lessons for 2 years. I have practiced and honed my muscle memory, but the most important thing is that I never kept my mouth closed when others ask me questions... Read moreThanks Steve for all of your help and Vas. Doing so can hinder your safety and growth. I have been following your online instruction for over two years. I have practiced and trained my muscle memory, but I also never kept my mouth shut when other divers ask. Amazing results as they now see a better path. You were also kind enough to give me suggestions or explanations during my 2 year learning experience. There is always an opportunity for you to ask, teach and discuss. There shouldn't be stupid questions in diving. I'm sure that I will be able to ask another question in the future. Lol

Yes Sidemount PCB started with the Cave diver, but you do not have to be a tech or cave diver to be able to dive on Sidemount PCB. PADI has a Side mount course in which you only carry one cylinder/tank on one of your sides instead of your back.

It is possible to rent items such as primary light bulbs and cylinders which can be cumbersome to travel with. You should let us know if any of these are required.

Instructor

Thank you Steve and Vas for your guidance. It is a mistake to not ask questions and explore options. This can stop the progress of safety and growth in diving. Your online trainings have been invaluable to me for over 2 years. I have trained my muscle memory and practiced it. But, most importantly, I never shut my mouth when asked by other divers... read moreThank you Steve and Vas for all your guidance. It is a common mistake to not ask questions and explore options. This can stop the progress of safety and growth in diving. Your online trainings have been a valuable resource for me for over 2 years. I have trained my muscle memory and practiced it, but most importantly, I never shut up when asked by divers. They now see a better way and the results are amazing. I have to say, however, that you were always willing to help me or explain the process in my two years of learning! Every opportunity exists to learn, teach, discuss and grow. There should never be any stupid questions when diving. I am sure that I will continue to open my mouth to ask more questions in the future. Lol

Stage-only diving is the use of standard deco/stage cylinder configuration, without back-mounted cylinders, on an otherwise standard, or partly modified tec/rec BCD. The lower cylinder is attached to waist D-Rings and the upper cylinder to shoulder D-Rings, both via direct bolt-snap. Some divers (untrained in specific sidemount diving techniques) often incorrectly assume this approach to be sidemount diving. No bungee cord is utilised in the upper attachment, causing the cylinders to hang low beneath the diver and not in line (parallel) with their torso beneath their armpits. Without change of the BCD design, the lack of back-mounted cylinders also causes taco’ing of wing designs and much instability.

Instructor
Cylinders

Cylinders

Steve was a Portuguese teacher who came to Portugal 10 years ago to teach us Sidemount PCB. His enthusiasm, technical abilities, and professionalism were immediately evident to me. His new website and online training have taken this to a whole new level. It is so comprehensive... continue reading. Steve came to Portugal over 10 years ago to teach Sidemount PCB to our staff (at that time it was still the beginning of Sidemount PCB). His enthusiasm, technical abilities, and professionalism were immediately evident to me. His new website and online training have taken this to a whole new level. These contents are perfect for beginners, experienced divers, and instructors. Sidemount is now a well-known and simple way to dive. read less

Sidemount PCB can provide a number of benefits for any diver, but is especially well suited for cave diving. (It was, after all, cave divers who invented sidemount.) Among these benefits:

Padi Sidemount Instructor

Divemaster

Love your vids Steve. I am in Nova Scotia Canada. I just received my tdi-sm certificate in August. Your online course was a great addition to my training. It has helped me tremendously! We are grateful.

Please send me a renewal number for Package 1 – Instructor Course. Sidemountpcb.com is my fifth year. I am looking forward to it. Your team is a wonderful source of inspiration and guidance. All the very best! Scott

Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training And Travel
Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training And Travel

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.

Hi Steve, I really enjoyed your Sidemount PCB Essentials course in Gozo! Have probably never spend my money on anything better. It made so much fun and I enjoyed every single minute of it. Seeing your dedication and experience is simply amazing. You pay attention to the smallest details and you are always striving to improve things even further. I also... read moreHi Steve, I really enjoyed your Sidemount PCB Essentials course in Gozo! Have probably never spend my money on anything better. It made so much fun and I enjoyed every single minute of it. Seeing your dedication and experience is simply amazing. You pay attention to the smallest details and you are always striving to improve things even further. I also love your enthusiasm to capture all those details, new equipment, new methods, hints etc. with the camera to be able to include them in upcoming videos to the benefit of everyone. Speaking of your online training videos I must say that they are a class of its own. They definitely get you well-prepared for the things you need to know during the in-water training and I think that exactly this concept is the key to the steep learning curve because the time underwater can be used efficiently. Thank you so much for everything Steve! Cheers, Nils read less

Aqua

It is possible to obtain qualifying certifications through other diving training organizations. Please ask your Tec Sidemount PCB Instructor.

We offer the TDI course as an option, although we can also teach the SDI course if asked. This course can be taken on its own, or with our Apprentice Cave Diver course.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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).

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.

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.