Scuba Sidemount Setup

Scuba Gear

Learn immediately by purchasing the PADI Sidemount PB Diver and PADI Tec Sidemount PB Diver Manual at your local PADI Dive Shop. If you have a recreational certification as a sidemount diver, you will focus on Chapters Two & Three. If you don't, you will need to read the entire manual.

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're always trying to improve. Your enthusiasm for capturing... read moreHi Steve! I enjoyed your Sidemount PCB Essentials course at Gozo! I have 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!

Side Mount Dive —

Steve, I find your tutorials to be very helpful and valuable. I'm a PADI Instructor in Cyprus. I tried to master the sidemount diving style that, though it was originally from cave diving became very popular among recreational divers. I discovered that I can certify competent and confident sidemount divers by using only your technique. I'm a PADI Instructor in Cyprus. I tried to learn the techniques of this diving style that, while it originated from cave diving and is very popular among recreational divers. However, by only using your technique, I was able to certify competent and confident sidemount divers. I also know that this will not cause any problems for any Dive boat or guide, as it takes up half the space and takes twice the time to set up. I know they will be safe and look great underwater. Your structured approach to sidemount diving and explaining the importance of configuration is what makes it all possible. Instructors who teach sidemount would be proud to have you as a teacher. Many thanks! read less

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Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Workshop

I want to thank you for all your help. Your online resource made it possible for me to take a sidemount cave course with Natalie Gibb, Mexico.

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.

Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Workshop
Diving

Diving

Steve met me a little more than 10 years ago, when he visited Portugal to teach Sidemount PCB to our staff (at that time it was very early days of Sidemount PCB). I immediately noticed his passion, technical skill, and professionalism. This was made possible by his website and online training. These contents are great for anyone who is just starting. His passion, technical skill, and professionalism was evident immediately. This was made possible by his website and online training. It is easy to use the contents, whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver. We appreciate your efforts to make sidemount diving a simple and accessible option. read less

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Recreational Diving

Steve, thanks so much! Vas, thank you for your mentoring. If you don't ask questions or explore the options, it can put an end to your safety and growth as a diver. I have been studying your online courses for over two years. I have practiced and developed muscle memory, but more importantly, I have never been afraid to ask questions of other divers. Read moreThanks Steve, and Vas for your mentorship. If you don't ask questions or explore the options, it can impede your progress in safety and growth as a diver. I have been studying in depth your online teachings for the past 2 years. I have practiced and developed muscle memory but, most importantly, I have not kept my mouth closed when divers ask me questions. As they now see the best way, the results are astounding. I also want to thank you for being so patient with me over the past 2 years. There are always opportunities to ask, learn and teach, as well as discuss, and grow. You should not ask stupid questions while diving. I'm sure I'll open my mouth again to ask another question! Lol

I have never tried sidemount before but from studying his online video training, I knew that Steve was the perfect man to teach me and be confident about it. ...And I wasn't wrong! It was truly a life experience week!!! The sidemountpcb Essentials course has far exceeded my expectations. Steve is a great teacher, has a lot of patience and... read moreI have never tried sidemount before but from studying his online video training, I knew that Steve was the perfect man to teach me and be confident about it. ...And I wasn't wrong! It was truly a life experience week!!! The Sidemount PCB Essentials course has far exceeded my expectations. Steve is a great teacher, has a lot of patience and puts a lot of time and effort in everything he does with his students. Everything is planned and worked with great detail. I found it a memorable and a rewarding experience. The Sidemount PCB Essentials Course transformed my diving. My awareness and skills level under water raised where I never expected in such a short period of time. Everything is in the right place... the harness set up, the weight amount and position, the cylinder trim and your balance in the water. This makes you feel very relaxed, confident and experience the true sidemount set up... and no back pain!!! ?? The course was very demanding yet very enjoyable. Every day starts with a theoretical and planning session and ends with a video review about our drills in the water where everything is discussed in great detail. We drained our cylinders every time we went into the water and that's why our learning curve is so high! Everything was done in a relaxed and secure atmosphere yet with extraordinary professionalism. Don't think twice about taking this course with Steve. If you are truly engaged in Sidemount PCB and want to be a great diver, Steve will help you to achieve more than you ever expected! read less

Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Beach
Technical Sidemount Scuba Dive Training Beach

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.

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.

Scuba Sidemount Setup
Open Water Diver

sidemountpcb.com training online is crucial for technical and recreational divers. While I have completed a Tec40 /sidemount class before I began my technical training, I consider this sidemount essentials. Joe was able, through the online training, to concentrate on the in water skills. Joe Seda taught me the basics of technical training. This was even though I had taken a Tec40 /sidemount class before beginning my training with Joe. Joe was able, thanks to the online training, to focus solely on in-water skill development. This was the foundation for both cave training and all technical training with Vas Proud. The online training is a good example of what all divers can expect from in-water training. It also speeds up in-water skill growth. My daughter is starting her journey in diving. She has already seen the backmount diving videos. I am looking over the instructors videos to ensure she has the best experience possible. I cannot stress enough how important these training tools are in the safe and competent development of technical and recreational divers. Daniel Glynn - Cave diver and father

Blue Label Diving in Phuket Thailand offers Sidemount PCB Diving Courses at all levels. From sidemount diving in recreational tanks to sidemounting in overhead conditions, and even instructor training. Sidemount diving is not for everyone.

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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.