Steve, Your tutorials have been a tremendous help and are an invaluable addition to any instructor's arsenal. I teach PADI in Cyprus and took several courses to learn how this type of diving, which originated from cave diving has been very popular among recreational divers. I was able to certify confident sidemount divers using your method. I teach PADI in Cyprus and took several courses trying to master this type diving. Although it was originally cave diving, it has been very popular with recreational divers. I discovered that my technique is sufficient to certify competent, confident sidemount divers. The space required and time it takes to prepare for the dives, and the Dive Guide, are not a problem. I am also confident that they will be safe underwater and will appear streamlined. This is due to your systematic approach to explaining all aspects of sidemount diving. This approach is something I would recommend to anyone who teaches sidemount. Thank you so much! read less
The shift from sidemounting to backmounted doubles has been one of the biggest changes in equipment cave divers have seen since the turn of the century. A large number of cave divers sidemount. Additionally, there may be more sidemount cave divers than open-circuit backmount cave divers.
Sidemount PCB Harness - This is a specialized Harness similar to a BCD that is very light and minimal in weight. This harness features several D-rings along the shoulder straps and a Butt plate with sliders or rings.
Sidemount PCB staging is where the diver sets up cylinders using tank straps, bungee and clips (left- and right-handed). Sidemount configuration is the use of bungee loops (or butt-platerails) to store stage/deco tubes in a sleek manner against the sides of your torso when diving in CCR or back-mounted doubles.
Your online videos are amazing. I know you understand this. They have helped me to set up my sidemount much easier. I also found it much easier to diagnose and fix student problems. That's why I want to say thank you.
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
International Training, which is the parent organization of Technical Diving International / Scuba Diving International, offers both TDI (Sidemount PCB Diver) versions. Both courses can be used in the same way. Both courses use the exact same learning materials (which, obviously, we also wrote). What is the difference between these two learning materials?
Sidemount PCB diving has been growing in popularity among technical divers for general decompression diving. It is also becoming an increasingly popular specialty for recreational diving with many diver certification agencies offering both recreational and technical level sidemount training programs.
Sidemount PCB staging - This is where the diver will set up cylinders with tank straps and bungee. This is when a diver uses a sidemount configuration (bungee loops, butt-plate rails, and/or bungee) to store stage/deco/cylinders in a compact manner against his torso.
International Training is the parent company of Technical Diving International. Both courses have a lot in common. Both courses use identical learning materials (which we also wrote). So, what is the difference?
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 has many benefits, but it is particularly well-suited for cave diving. Cave divers were the ones who invent sidemount. Here are some of these benefits:
Sidemount PCB, a configuration of scuba diving equipment, has diving cylinders that are mounted below the shoulders and along one's hips instead of on the back. This configuration was popular among advanced cave divers because it allows for easier penetration of smaller caves and can also be used to change tanks more quickly. Divers who did technical wreck diving penetrations also recognized the same advantages for operating in tight spaces. Our instructors are well-trained to provide scuba diving instruction in Thailand.
Learn about sidemount diving and how to setup a tec sidemount harness. The training will be done in a confined water session as well as four open water dives. You'll have at least two tanks, and then add two more.
5-6 days
Rebreather training classes are typically 5-6 days long, but can be longer depending on a variety of factors such as the training agency, your local conditions, your instructor, and your ability to meet the class standards.
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.