As your goal in taking this course is to learn the basic set up and operation of the equipment you will use as part of your cave and/or tech diver training, you will need that same equipment for this course. This includes:
You can also use the SDI Sidemount PCB Diver certificate to get the SDI Advanced Diver Development certification.
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.
Sidemount PCB divers are increasingly becoming popular among technical divers. This is a great option for recreational and technical decompression diving.
Steve, Your Sidemount PCB Essentials class in Gozo was a great experience! I doubt that I will ever spend more money on something else. It was so much fun. Your passion and knowledge are truly amazing. You pay attention even to the smallest details, and you always strive to improve them. I love your passion for capturing... moreHi Steve! I thoroughly enjoyed your Sidemount PCB Essentials Course in Gozo! I've never spent more money on anything. It was so much fun. It's amazing to see the dedication and your experience. You pay attention even to the smallest details, and are constantly striving for improvement. I love your passion for capturing all the details, new equipment, and tips. You will be able include them in future videos. Your online training videos, I have to say they are exceptional. They prepare you for all the necessary information during in-water training. And I think this is what makes the steep learning curve so manageable underwater. Steve, I am so grateful for your efforts! Nils, cheers!
The SDI Sidemount PCB Diver certification can be used to earn a single specialty rating for the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program.
Blue Label Diving proudly offers Sidemount PCB Diving Classes from SSI through TDI in Phuket Thailand. From recreational sidemount diving with two tanks to technical sidemounting for overhead environments in high-end settings, up to instructor level. There is one problem: once you are able to sidemount, you may never be able to go back to backmount dives.
Thank you for this wonderful online course. I have had only a handful of experiences with other instructors in my diving 'career'. However, I can honestly state that I have never seen such an informative, detailed and practical explanation about how to become better scuba divers. As I was trying to get my SMB .... photo, my buoyancy control was very poor. This is why I found your online course so helpful. I had only a handful of experiences with other instructors over my scuba diving 'career'. However, I can honestly state that I have never received such practical, useful, and thorough explanations about how I could become a better scuba diver. I had difficulty controlling my buoyancy when I tried to shoot the SMB. My instructor advised me on how to increase my buoyancy. He simply suggested practicing. He seemed to have good buoyancy control. However, he didn’t explain how weighting and breathing are important. Your videos were very eye-opening. And, of course, every single one of my dive buddies didn’t understand why I wanted the sidemount. Even though I am a highly recommended instructor, they still question me about why I would dive sm. What is its purpose? Most cave divers use it. I am glad I chose to sm. It's an entirely new world. It is a different world. Although no one really taught or tested me on SM, there are many times that I dive with friends and they compliment my trim. Your videos helped me learn everything. I learned how to set up my equipment, enter and exit water, and solve any problems. I hope that we can meet and do a training together. I want other divers to improve their skills and be more competent. I'm sure there are many other excellent instructors and divers, but I believe that your contribution is vital and essential to the success of the scuba diving profession. I appreciate your kindness! Regards, Csaba read less
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
The major change in equipment cave divers use since the beginning of this century has been to switch from using backmounted doubles to sidemount. Many cave divers now sidemount. There may even be more sidemount sidemount cave divers that backmount cave divers.
Sidemount PCB gear configuration offers an alternative to the traditional back mounted scuba cylinder(s) configuration. The NAUI Sidemount PCB Diver course provides you with the skills and knowledge needed to conduct open water dives utilizing this particular gear configuration. Upon successful completion divers will be competent to use sidemount gear configuration in additional training and diving opportunities.
Sidemount PCB is a configuration that allows you to scuba dive with cylinders attached along the side of the diver. Instead of being on the back, the cylinders are placed below the shoulders and along your hips. Because smaller sections of cave are possible to penetrate, and tanks can be easily changed, it was initially popular with cave divers. Technical wreck diving divers also saw the benefits of operating in small spaces. Thai instructors are highly qualified to instruct scuba diving classes and scuba dive training.
I'm sure you get this all of the time, but I really do appreciate your online videos. I have used them to get my sidemount set up much better, and as an instructor, I have also been able to diagnose student issues and remedy them much more quickly. So, I want to thank you very much for that
Thanks so much to you Steve, and to Vas for your mentoring. Not asking questions and exploring options, tends to put a stop to the progression of safety and growth in diving. I have studied in depth your online teachings for 2 years now and counting. I have practiced and trained muscle memory but most importantly never kept my mouth shut if other divers ask... read moreThanks so much to you Steve, and to Vas for your mentoring. Not asking questions and exploring options, tends to put a stop to the progression of safety and growth in diving. I have studied in depth your online teachings for 2 years now and counting. I have practiced and trained muscle memory but most importantly never kept my mouth shut if other divers ask me. The results are incredible as they now see a better way. I must also say that in my 2 years of learning, you were always kind enough to explain, or give me an idea for improvement!!! There is always an opportunity to ask, learn, teach, discuss, and grow. In diving there should be no stupid questions. I’m sure I will open my mouth in future to ask another question!! Lol
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.
A typical diver, at a typical depth, with a typical tank
Based on personal experience, an average open-water certified diver on a 40-foot dive with a standard aluminum 80-cubic-foot tank will be able to stay down for 45 to 60 minutes before surfacing with a safe reserve of air still in the tank.