Sidemount diving is allowed after successful completion of the course. This is subject to the following restrictions:
If you're a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, at least 18 years old and have a minimum of 30 logged dives, you qualify to enroll in a Tec Sidemount PCB Diver course. It's recommended that you also have a PADI Enriched Air Diver certification.
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.
Steve, my pleasure! I enjoyed your Sidemount PCB Essentials training in Gozo. I can't think of anything better. It was so much of a lot of fun. Your passion and knowledge are truly amazing. You pay attention even to the smallest details, and you strive to make things better. I also enjoyed your Sidemount PCB Essentials program in Gozo. I doubt that I will ever spend more money on something better. It was so much of a lot of fun. It's amazing to see the dedication and your experience. You are attentive to even the smallest details and always strive to make things better. I love your enthusiasm for capturing details, new equipment, tips, etc. These can be added to future videos. Your online training videos, I must say, are amazing. They prepare you for all the necessary information during in-water training. In fact, I believe this is the key to the steep learning curve. The time spent underwater can be utilized efficiently. Steve, we are grateful for your efforts! Nils, Cheers
Steve, just wanted to thank you for your incredible online Sidemount PCB course. I did my PADI Sidemount PCB training last year but always felt like my XDeep harness setup wasn't streamlined where I wanted it. The instructor was good, but I could tell he did not live and breathe sidemount. At the time I had signed up with your free course system which was helpful but... read moreSteve, just wanted to thank you for your incredible online Sidemount PCB course. I did my PADI Sidemount PCB training last year but always felt like my XDeep harness setup wasn't streamlined where I wanted it. The instructor was good, but I could tell he did not live and breathe sidemount. At the time I had signed up with your free course system which was helpful but obviously left you wanting more. I am doing my Overhead Environment training this November in Florida and wanted to make sure my skills and setup were up to speed. After watching your entire online course (WOW). I decided to rebuild my XDeep harness setup using all your recommendations. I re-did my entire bungee system, my attachment points, wing, etc... all using your setup. I finally feel my setup is where it needs to be, and I felt very comfortable in the water. So again, thank you. Next is working on all my skills which are much easier to work on now that my harness is setup correctly. Wish I spent the money on your training a year ago. Take care and please keep the updates coming. Thanks, Jason read less
We can offer the SDI course if requested. However, we only offer the TDI course by default. This can be taken as a stand-alone program, but our students usually combine it with the Apprentice Cave Diver course.
Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training PriceI just want you to know that your online courses are top-notch. Every time that I log in, something is new. The incredible value that we receive from your website only increases when you go above an ordinary level to engage with our subscribers. We appreciate your time.
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.
Sidemount PCB Diving Classes are an essential course for technical divers who want to be more proficient in different gear configurations, regardless of whether they intend to use sidemount every day. You can take the course in conjunction with any of TDI’s open-circuit specialty courses provided you meet all prerequisites.
You should not use sidemount in your cave diver training. Our CDS Basics Orientation class is what you need.
Graduates may take part in sidemount diving activities after completing this course. However, they must adhere to the following restrictions:
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.
A stone’s throw from our shoreline, you can experience being surrounded by miles of our BEAUTIFUL BARRIER REEF system in less than 15 feet of water. Classes and private guides are available to provide your once in a lifetime moment.
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.
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.