We are grateful for your hard work. It is an enormous help to everyone who wants to get into Sidemount PCB. Your online resource helped me to prepare for a cave sidemount crossover course in Mexico with Natalie Gibb.
Sidemount PCB Stage: This is the place where the diver sets up cylinders by attaching tank straps or bungee to clips and using special valves (left- and/or right-handed). Sidemount configuration: This is the practice of using bungee loops/or buttplate rails as a way to store stage/decocylinders in an organized manner against your sides, while diving in back-mounted doubles/CCR.
Sidemount Scuba SetupSteve, thanks for the section on the online course. I found that I learned more online then I had expected. Your videos are very well made and help me to grasp a lot more quickly than I could from books or other materials. I intend to recite the most important lessons before going on the water course. Regards Rafal
Steve, just wanted thank you for your awesome online Sidemount PCB class. My PADI Sidemount training was completed last year. I still felt that the XDeep rig wasn't as streamlined and comfortable as I expected. While the instructor was competent, I could tell he didn't live sidemount. I had signed-up for your free course system, which was helpful at the time. However,... read moreSteve just wanted you to thank us for our amazing online Sidemount PCB Course. I had my PADI Sidemount training last year and felt that the XDeep system was not streamlined in the way I desired. The instructor was competent, but it was obvious that he didn’t live or breathe sidemount. I had signed up for the free course which was helpful, but it left me wanting more. I am completing my Overhead Environment Training in Florida this November. I wanted to make certain my setup and skills are up to the mark. I have completed your entire online course. I used all your suggestions to rebuild my XDeep sling harness. Your recommendations helped me redesign my entire harness system, including my attachment points. I feel confident in the water now that I know my setup is working properly. Once again, thank-you. Next is to continue working on my skills, which are much more manageable now that my harness works properly. I wish that I had paid for your training last year. Take care of yourself and keep the updates coming. Thanks, Jason 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
I just have this enlightening experience with your online course. I had few experiences with other instructors in my scuba 'career', but I can honestly say that I never saw such a useful, deep, and practical explanations about how to become a better scuba diver. When I did my PADI AOW training, I was struggling with buoyancy control as I tried to shoot my SMB.... read moreI just have this enlightening experience with your online course. I had few experiences with other instructors in my scuba 'career', but I can honestly say that I never saw such a useful, deep, and practical explanations about how to become a better scuba diver. When I did my PADI AOW training, I was struggling with buoyancy control as I tried to shoot my SMB. I asked my instructor how to improve my buoyancy. He said just practice. He had a good buoyancy control surely, but didn't explain to me about the importance of proper weighting, breath control, etc. Your videos were eye opener. Not to mention that every one of my dive buddy didn't really understand why I wanted to dive sidemount. Even now highly recommended instructors ask me why I dive sm. What is the use of it? Mostly cave divers do it. I am very happy that I did choose sm. It is a different world. Nobody really taught me or checked how I do SM, but many times I dive with others, they mention how good my trim is. I learned everything from your videos, how to setup my equipment, enter or exit water, or solve problems, etc. I hope we can meet sometimes and can have a training together, because I want to improve and help others to become much better, quality divers. I am sure that there many excellent divers and instructors out there, but I am sure that your contribution to the scuba diving society is huge and very important. Thank you for that! Regards, Csaba read less
The SDI Sidemount PCB Diver certification can be used to earn a single specialty rating for the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program.
Certificate cards: These are issued only to those who have earned them. Certification is not guaranteed by simply taking part in a course. Multiple training agencies might offer certification cards for cave courses. C-cards usually cost about $30, depending on which agency you choose. Talk to your instructor for details.
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!
Thank you for your great work, it is a huge help for everyone getting into the Sidemount PCB world. I recently did a cave sidemount crossover course with Natalie Gibb in Mexico and could join her Training well prepared due to your online resource.
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 either for someone starting, someone... 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
You may be eligible to register in a Tecsidemount PCB Diver course if your age is at least 18 and you have logged at most 30 dives. A PADI Enriched air Diver certification is a must.
After completing the course successfully, graduates can engage in sidemount diving activities with no supervision provided that they adhere to these limits:
Sidemount PCB Diving courses are an excellent stand-alone course that technical divers can take if they want to improve their skills and proficiency with various gear configurations. This course can also be taught alongside any other open-circuit specialty courses offered by TDI, provided that all requirements and standards are met.
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.