Grab the PADI Sidemount PB Diver and Tec Sidemount PB Diver Manual at your local PADI Dive Shop, and get started immediately. If you are a recreational diver, you can focus on Chapters Two to Three. Otherwise, you can go through the entire manual.
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.
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.
Steve came to Portugal in the early days for Sidemount PCB, and I was there to meet him. I was immediately impressed by his enthusiasm, technical skills, and professionalism. With his new website, and online training, this has been elevated to a completely different level. It is easy to use the contents, whether you are just starting out or an experienced professional. Read more Steve met me in Portugal a little over ten years ago to teach Sidemount PCB to his staff. I was immediately impressed by his enthusiasm, technical skills, and professionalism. With his new website, and online training, this has been elevated to a completely different level. This website is perfect for both beginners and experienced divers. Thank you for making sidemount an easy and familiar way to learn to dive. read less
Sidemount PCB divers are increasingly becoming popular among technical divers. This is a great option for recreational and technical decompression diving.
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’.
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. It's amazing to see the dedication and your experience. You pay attention and are constantly striving for improvement. I also love your passion to capture... Read moreHi Steve! It was a great course on Sidemount PCB Essentials 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 and strive to improve everything. I also love your enthusiasm for capturing details, new equipment, tips, etc. You can take these photos with your camera and use them in future videos. Your online training videos have a special place in my heart. These videos prepare you for the 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 everything. Nils, Cheers
Sidemount PCB is a great option for cave diving, as it can offer many benefits to divers. Sidemount PCB was invented by cave divers. These are just a few of the many benefits.
The cylinders are lightweight and easy to carry, with no steel or aluminum back plates.
I appreciate your work greatly. I started sidemounting using your online videos, completed the speciality course on it, and just finished UTD cave 1. Your videos have made a huge difference in my life, so I owe you a big hat. Keep creating great content.
Yes Sidemount PCB started with the Cave diver, but you do not have to be a tech or cave diver to be able to dive on Sidemount PCB. PADI has a Side mount course in which you only carry one cylinder/tank on one of your sides instead of your back.
After completing the course successfully, graduates can engage in sidemount diving activities with no supervision provided that they adhere to these limits:
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.
New to diving? Looking for the best instruction to take you to new limits? We provide Recreational, Technical, and Sidemount PCB courses. Our specialty is creating a SOLID foundation, regardless of your current certification.
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.