Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Board

Who owns the Titanic wreck

After completing the course successfully, graduates are allowed to engage in sidemount diving activities with no supervision provided that they adhere to these guidelines:

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

Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Routine —

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.

Love your vids Steve. I'm located in Nova Scotia Canada. In August, I received my tdi Sm certification. Your online course is a supplement to my training. It's been very helpful! Thank you!

Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Tips

They are not issued unless earned. Not just taking part in the course does NOT guarantee certification. For cave courses certification cards may be available from multiple training agencies. C-cards can be purchased for around $30 depending on the agency. An instructor will be able to tell you more.

We do not issue certification cards unless they are earned. The mere fact that you have taken part in a training course does not make you certified. There may be multiple certification agencies that offer certification cards for cave courses. C-cards typically cost around $30 per card depending on their agency. You can ask your instructor more.

Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Board
Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Tips

Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training 02

You will need the same equipment as the course to learn how to operate and set up the equipment you'll use for your tech diving training. This includes:

Your instructor series, Steve/Vas is amazing. Let me be the first one to tell you that you are absolutely correct. You can learn SM by simply watching the videos, as I did. But, I had to compromise/sacrifice some of my learning curves without you (SM essentials instructor). To get proficient with AL80s, it took me nearly a year. Then, I... read moreSteve/Vas. Your instructor series is amazing. Let me be the first one to tell you that you are right in everything you have said. You can learn SM by simply watching the videos, as I did. But, I had to compromise/sacrifice some of my learning curves without you (SM essentials instructor). To get proficient with AL80s, it took me nearly a year. The first level of tech diving was taken by me a year later. I told my instructor that I was using SM configuration. He was shocked that I did not teach myself. I told him, and he replied with "You most likely will need to take a SM workshop together depending on how well I do on dive one". He said that there was no reason to have you take a class after the first dive. Your online training is excellent, but I'd rather see Joe Seda if it was all over again. I will continue to learn from him in the future. Regards Tony read less

Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Ltd
Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Ltd

TDI Trimix DiverThe TDI Trimix course provides the training required to competently and safely utilize breathing gases containing helium for dives that require staged decompression, utilizing nitrox and / or oxygen mixtures during decompression to a maximum depth 200’.

This course will teach you how to set up and operate the equipment that you will use in your training as a cave diver or tech diver. This includes:

Trimix

Steve and I first met 10 years back when he traveled to Portugal to train our staff in Sidemount PCB. (At the time, it was still the beginning of Sidemount PCB). I could instantly see his passion, technical ability, professionalism. The website and online learning have made this possible. These contents can be used by anyone, starting from someone... continue reading. Steve first came to Portugal 10 years ago to train our staff in Sidemount PCB (at that time it wasn't the beginning of Sidemount PCB). I immediately noticed his passion, technical proficiency, and professionalism. The website and online courses have made this a new experience. You can find everything you need, whether you're a beginner, an instructor or an expert. Sidemount is now an easy way to learn how to dive. read less

International Training is the parent organization of Technical Diving International and Scuba Diving International. They offer both TDI and SDI versions of their Sidemount PCB Diver courses. Both courses are similar. Both courses use the same learning materials (which we also wrote). What's the difference between them?

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Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.