Sidemount PCB Diving developed from cave diving in the early decades. Lamar Hires, an explorer, was the first to use multiple tanks to reach places where back mounted divers were unable to. As the sport developed, sidemount PCB diving has become one the fastest growing segments.
We provide courses for Recreational, Technical, Sidemount PCB, Overhead / Cave, Advanced Wreck, and Professional Development through the following agencies: SSI, SDI, TDI, ERDI, PFI, RAID.
You may be eligible for certifications from other diving organizations - check with your Tec Sidemount PCB Instructor.
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!
If you've looked into technical diving, you realize that tec divers always wear more than one tank. Sidemount PCB is an increasingly popular way to configure multiple cylinders for technical diving. You can enter the world of tec diving with the Tec Sidemount PCB Diver course and apply what you learn to other TecRec courses. Your instructor may offer to integrate this course with the Tec 40, Tec 45 or Tec 50 courses.
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.
Note that qualifying certifications from other diver training organizations may apply - ask your Tec Sidemount PCB Instructor.
sidemountpcb.com is an essential component for recreational and technical divers. The beginning of my technical training was sidemount essentials. I completed a Tec40 / sidemount class in Florida before starting my training with Joe. Joe was able to concentrate on the in-water skills through online training. Although I had previously taken a Tec40 / sidemount class before starting my technical training with Joe, I consider that the start of my technical education sidemount essentials. Joe could focus on developing in-water skills through the online training. This was essential for cave training as well as all other technical training such trimix with Vas Profud. It demonstrates the high-quality inwater training that all divers should receive and accelerates in-water skill development. My daughter, who is beginning her journey into diving, watched the backmount dive videos before she started open water training. I am currently reviewing the instructor videos to make sure that I'm the best "buddy" I can be for her during her training process. These tools are vital in the safe development of technical and recreational divers. Daniel Glynn, father and cave diver
Steve, just saw the new chapters to your online course. These are really great. They're especially helpful when you are reviewing videos or searching for specific parts of a movie. As soon as I saw them, I was able to start using them. Timo, cheers!
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
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. These contents are perfect for anyone starting or someone who is... read moreI first met Steve 10 years ago, when he visited Portugal to teach Sidemount PCB to our staff (at that time it was early days 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
These cards are only issued to those who have earned them. Participating in a course is not a guarantee of certification. Certification cards may be offered by multiple agencies for cave courses. C-cards cost $30 to $30 per card, depending on the agency. Ask your instructor for more information.
You'll learn about the advantages of diving with a sidemount configuration and how to set up a tec sidemount harness. You'll get hands-on training during one confined water session and four open water dives where you'll start with two tanks and add at least two more, maybe even getting to six sidemounted cylinders.
This was an enlightening experience that I had with your online course. While I've had limited experiences with other instructors over my scuba "career", I can honestly say I've never seen so many practical, useful and deep explanations of how to become a better diver. I had difficulty with buoyancy control while trying to take my PADI AOW course. While I had limited experiences with instructors in my scuba "career", I can honestly say I have never experienced such useful, deep, and practical explanations of how to become a better diver. My buoyancy control was an issue when I attempted to shoot my SMB during my PADI AOW course. My instructor told me how to improve my buoyancy. He suggested that I just practice. He did have a good buoyancy, but didn’t explain to me how important proper weighting and breath control are. Your videos were eye opening. I was also surprised that none of my diving buddies understood why I wanted sidemount. Even highly-recommended instructors have questions about why I dive sm. It is what does it do? This is what cave divers do. I'm very glad that I chose sm. It is an entirely different world. While nobody really taught me or inspected how I do SM diving, I have been praised by others for my good trim. I learned everything through your videos. How to set up my equipment and how to exit or enter water. Also, how solve problems. I would love to have a training session with you, and we could meet. This is because I want others to be better divers. There are many outstanding instructors and divers out, but I'm sure your contribution is enormous and important to the scuba diving industry. I am grateful for this! Regards, Csaba read less
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).
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.
The PADI Rebreather/Advanced Rebreather Diver courses take four days to complete. The course fee is $1250, which includes books and rental.