I met Steve, a little over 10 years ago when he came to Portugal to teach our staff to Sidemount (at the time it was the early days of Sidemount). I could immediately see his level of enthusiasm, technical ability, and professionalism. That moved to an all-different level with his new website and online training. The contents are so complete either for someone starting, someone... read moreI met Steve, a little over 10 years ago when he came to Portugal to teach our staff to Sidemount (at the time it was the early days of Sidemount). I could immediately see his level of enthusiasm, technical ability, and professionalism. That moved to an all-different level with his new website and online training. The contents are so complete either for someone starting, someone experienced and instructors alike. Thanks for all the effort to make sidemount a known and easy way to dive. read less

First of all, let me say how much the content you have made available has improved my diving and my instruction to other students! I would like to upgrade my online course subscription to Package 1, which includes the instructor material. I'm always looking for other techniques to improve my students' experience when they take training with me. Thank you!

I just want to say, your online training is top notch. I learn something every time I log in. The fact that you go above and beyond to engage with your subscribers only adds to the already incredible value we get from your site. Thank you very much for your time.

Your work is greatly appreciated, started sidemounting with your online videos, completed a speciality course on it and just finished my UTD cave 1 a couple of days ago. Learning from your videos made a massive difference, so hats off Sir. Keep the great content coming 🙂

Hi Steve, I just saw the new chapters you are adding into your online courses. Really like them. Especially helpful, when reviewing videos and searching for just a part in a video. I starting using them as soon as I noticed them. Cheers, Timo

I'm sure you get this all of the time, but I really do appreciate your online videos. I have used them to get my sidemount set up much better, and as an instructor, I have also been able to diagnose student issues and remedy them much more quickly. So, I want to thank you very much for that

Thanks so much to you Steve, and to Vas for your mentoring. Not asking questions and exploring options, tends to put a stop to the progression of safety and growth in diving. I have studied in depth your online teachings for 2 years now and counting. I have practiced and trained muscle memory but most importantly never kept my mouth shut if other divers ask... read moreThanks so much to you Steve, and to Vas for your mentoring. Not asking questions and exploring options, tends to put a stop to the progression of safety and growth in diving. I have studied in depth your online teachings for 2 years now and counting. I have practiced and trained muscle memory but most importantly never kept my mouth shut if other divers ask me. The results are incredible as they now see a better way. I must also say that in my 2 years of learning, you were always kind enough to explain, or give me an idea for improvement!!! There is always an opportunity to ask, learn, teach, discuss, and grow. In diving there should be no stupid questions. I’m sure I will open my mouth in future to ask another question!! Lol read less

Steve/Vas, your instructor series is phenomenal. Please let me be the first to say you are correct in what you say. One can teach themselves how to SM just by watching the videos as I have done. However, I did compromise/sacrifice my learning curve without one of you (SM essentials instructor). It took me almost one year to get pretty good with AL80s. I then... read moreSteve/Vas, your instructor series is phenomenal. Please let me be the first to say you are correct in what you say. One can teach themselves how to SM just by watching the videos as I have done. However, I did compromise/sacrifice my learning curve without one of you (SM essentials instructor). It took me almost one year to get pretty good with AL80s. I then took the first level of tech diving a year after that and told my tech instructor I was doing it in SM configuration. I had to tell him I taught myself which he responded with “you most likely will have to take a SM workshop with me depending on how I do on dive one”. After the first dive he said “there is no reason for you to take a class with me”. So your online training is spot on but if I had it to do all over again I would see your guy Joe Seda first. I will, in the future, take the course with him so I can be the best I can be. Regards Tony read less

Hi Steve, Your tutorials are amazing and are a valuable addition to any instructor’s toolbox. I teach PADI in Cyprus, and I took a few courses trying to master this type of diving that although came from cave diving, became very popular among recreational divers . But I found that only using your technique , I am certifying capable and confident sidemount divers , which... read moreHi Steve, Your tutorials are amazing and are a valuable addition to any instructor’s toolbox. I teach PADI in Cyprus, and I took a few courses trying to master this type of diving that although came from cave diving, became very popular among recreational divers . But I found that only using your technique , I am certifying capable and confident sidemount divers , which , I know, will not be a nightmare for any dive boat and/or Dive guide by using up double the space and needing double the time to kit up. I also know that they will look streamlined underwater and be safe. And it is all due to your structured approach in explaining every aspect of sidemount diving , where configuration is crucial. I would not hesitate to recommend it to any instructor teaching sidemount! Thank you very much ! read less

Thank you for your great work, it is a huge help for everyone getting into the Sidemount world. I recently did a cave sidemount crossover course with Natalie Gibb in Mexico and could join her Training well prepared due to your online resource.

Please send me a renewal code for the Package 1 - Instructor Course. I look forward to enjoying my 5th year with Sidemounting.com. You and your team continue to be a great source of inspiration and guidance! All the best! Scott

Love your vids Steve. I’m in Nova Scotia Canada. Just got my tdi sm cert in August. I bought your online course to supplement my training. It’s helped me a lot! Thank you

Hi Steve, I wanted to thank you for all the sections of the online courses, it was really worth going through all these lessons, I learned more online than I thought. Your well-made videos, actually help me understand a lot of things much faster than from book and other materials. I am planning to repeat the most important lessons before the water course. Regards Rafal

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, just wanted to thank you for your incredible online Sidemount course. I did my PADI Sidemount 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 course. I did my PADI Sidemount 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

Two months ago I started my PADI Sidemount specialty and about the same time I enrolled for the Sidemount online training on Sidemounting.com. So far I learned more from the online training videos than what I learned from the PADI specialty course. What I found is that what you learn from the online training is not been taught by your PADI course simply because that’s... read moreTwo months ago I started my PADI Sidemount specialty and about the same time I enrolled for the Sidemount online training on Sidemounting.com. So far I learned more from the online training videos than what I learned from the PADI specialty course. What I found is that what you learn from the online training is not been taught by your PADI course simply because that’s not part of the course. Things like setting up you cylinders, setting up your Sidemount BCD, deciding the correct bungee lengths, weight checks and placement, plus donning your cylinders when in the water. There is so mush to do, you simply can not teach this in a 3 dive course, the online video’s are a very big help here, and they are a big help during your progress of getting better and more experienced. The biggest mis in my opinion on the PADI Sidemount specialty is that the instructors aren’t really Sidemount divers, they dive with you in back mount dive gear and are not really able to give you feedback on your gear setup. This also affects the ability to do some of the important exercises like out of air procedures with the long hose, if your instructor doesn’t have a long hose, how can they demonstrate the skills I am to do? For now I keep following the online course, occasionally filming myself so I can see how I was doing in the water, then I can correct this on the next dive if needed. I big thanks to the Sidemounting.com instructors for making me a better sidemount diver! read less

Thanks for creating the online sidemount course! I have found it very helpful and have been diving SM since and loving it! From boats to shore dives your tips really help, even with simple things like stowing your mask in your fins. Please send me the upgrade cost to upgrade to include the technical course subscription?

To my favourite "phantom" mentor and fellow diver that I hope to cross paths with, the further I get into the online Instructor Series, the more I find just how comprehensive it is. Personally, I think both you and Vas did a brilliant job! So far, the only thing I would like to see is STUDENT EVALUATION VIDEOS. Specifically, covering student issues that the two... read moreTo my favourite "phantom" mentor and fellow diver that I hope to cross paths with, the further I get into the online Instructor Series, the more I find just how comprehensive it is. Personally, I think both you and Vas did a brilliant job! So far, the only thing I would like to see is STUDENT EVALUATION VIDEOS. Specifically, covering student issues that the two of you have found most challenging to address, along with explanations on the approach that was taken to successfully work through them. Safe travels! read less