Some training is worth paying that bit extra for...

I currently offer training in Gozo (Malta) and Mexico. Please take your time and read through this page.

Course prices include;

• All tuition & instruction from Steve Martin
• I will provide all sidemount diving equipment (if required)
• You get to keep a copy of all videos shot during your training
• All transportation to and from your accommodation to dive centre and sites

What is not included;

• Cylinder rental and gas fill costs
• Your accommodation
• Certification fee (if required)
• Students must have purchased and completed my online training prior to all in-water courses
• For Mexico there is a $10 to $20 per person, per day, dive site entrance fee

Please note: You are required to bring your personal mask, suitable fins, dive computer and exposure suit (dive centre can provided if needed at additional cost). All training dives have a maximum depth limit of 38 metres, skills dives generally conducted between 8 and 10 metres.

Training Options:

• Sidemount Essentials Course  (4 days), suitable for all levels of certified diver.
• Stage/Deco Cylinder Handling workshop (1 day), suitable for experienced side mount divers only.
• Customised daily training (minimum 2 days), suitable for all levels of certified technical divers.
• Full Cave Course (8 days), only available in Mexico.

Rates: All my training runs on a fixed daily rate. €250 EURO (in Gozo), $300 USD (in Mexico) and £215 GBP (in UK) this is per person, per day.

Number of students: I generally run all training with 2 students, 3 is the absolute maximum.

• 2 students - you pay my normal fixed daily rate.
• 3 students - you pay my daily rate minus 25%.

Note: I will only accept 3 students, if you are all friends and book together as a group of 3. You will each receive a reduced daily rate as the training days will take much longer.

If you want  1 on 1 training this is my daily rate plus 75%, however I highly recommend you join and take courses with another student as this changes the dynamic in the training and allows for better team skills which is required for certain courses like Sidemount Essentials and cave training.

Example: 4 day Sidemount Essential course conducted in Gozo, costs a student 1'120 Euros. This is €1'000 training fee and €120 dive centre costs.

Include the 5th day stage handling workshop and total cost is now 1'405 Euros. Breakdown is €1'250 training cost and €155 dive centre costs.

Deposit for 5 days of training = 312.50 Euros. If you are only doing the 4 days, then the deposit is only 250 Euros.

Students will need to:

• Book flights, accommodation (contact me for recommendation list)

Terms and Conditions:

• A deposit of 25% is required upon booking (only applies to training rates)
• Deposit is withheld upon cancellations

Bookings and Enquiries:

It is essential that we get in touch, so we can discuss your current diving skill level, your expectations and goals of your training. I work on a day by day rate, and courses such as "Side Mount Essentials" have a minimum set number of days. This is set to ensure that you receive the right amount of time to practice and develop the necessary dive skills needed for the foundations of your sidemount development.

Having a "structured" course also allows you ample time to absorb and retain the information presented during that course. Any additional days to complete training will be charged at my fixed daily rate.

Book now by emailing info@sidemounting.com I am happy to spend 15 to 30 minutes with anyone via Live Chat (see in the bottom right of your screen) or WhatsApp call (link at top right of page) to discuss your sidemount training, this will not cost you anything.

I want you to be happy with the training you receive.

So this means, if you are not satisfied at the end of your first day, you reserve the option to cancel your further training days without further payment, no problems and no hard feelings. If after day 1, you are 100% satisfied with my training then your sidemount development can continue! So for just one day of your time you get the chance to find out if I am the right person to be training you. As a professional, I would much rather somebody be 100% satisfied with the training they receive than feel obligated to stick with something they are not necessarily happy with.

Why do you offer this money back guarantee..?

Having myself taken many training courses from a variety of instructors over the years, I have found that, while sometimes the course I paid for was enjoyable and did indeed meet my expectations, there were often occasions in which a course I enrolled in and paid for did not fulfil these same expectations and was not a rewarding or enjoyable experience. In hindsight, my training development would have been a much more fulfilling and enjoyable experience had I taken the time out to properly research each individual instructor and their training philosophy's.

So I believe that you should retain the right to choose whether or not my teaching style and philosophy is the right one for you. I am confident in my teaching ability and understand that some people may choose not to continue their training. And so therefore, I am more then willing to spend the necessary time training with you, in order for you to make that decision.

I believe in always teaching to the best of my ability and I believe my training is more than worth your time and commitment. If you would like to know more, you can view what others have to say in the testimonials found on the about page (view here).

Training that will forever change the way you dive!!

The training I offer is based around the following concept.

1. Diver develops the essential skills (which every diver needs)
2. Diver needs a truly balanced equipment configuration (sidemount gives this)
3. Diver needs a cutting edge training course (backed by years of experience)
4. Diver is capable of deciding what's next (now experienced & ready)
5. Diver is able to learn advanced/technical levels (correctly due to foundation training)
6. Diver gets the return they expected! (for the money & time they invested)

This concept is what I am 100% behind. That is why there are no short cuts in learning to sidemount with myself, the training you will get will not leave you thinking of going back into a backmounted (twinset). If it does, then I would look at giving you your money back (seriously)! You getting the right sidemount training course and instructor will make all the difference.

You would not believe the amount of emails I am starting to get from newly certified sidemount divers who are complaining that sidemount is not working for them and they do not look like or can dive like they see students in my photos and YouTube videos.

My short reply to those emails is... So, sorry to hear that, now let’s have a Live Chat (see icon bottom right of screen) or Skype call this way I can easily explain why this happened to you and ways to remedy it. Usually it is down to the equipment selection, the amount of time spent learning and the instructor’s knowledge/skill level is questionable. If you are looking for sidemount training then please save yourself this problem, contact me before you learn (it will cost you nothing but time).

I will happily give anyone 15-30 minutes of my time and if you still train with someone other than me, at least you will have a better idea of what training you should be getting.

Training conditions and detailed course information..

1. All students must have completed my online training prior to any in-water course
2. All divers must use approved training equipment
3. Training must take place over a minimum of 4 full days
4. This training course will not be the cheapest out there, this is for good reason

My training equipment;

• Sidemount Harness and BCD = xDeep Stealth Tec or Razor SM system (if you use another system, let me know)
• Sidemount Regulators = Apeks Sidemount set (if you have your own, let me know)
• Sidemount Cylinders & Hardware = (Selection of LP Steel and Aluminium)

Firstly, you do not need to go out and buy any sidemount equipment, in fact we recommend against it !!

What we recommend you should have – anything you do not have can be rented;

• Dive computer
• Mask
• Exposure protection (suit, boots, hood, gloves)
• Fins (not split fins)

What is included for use during the training;

• Harness
• Regulators
• Cylinder hardware
• SMB & Spool

If you are considering purchasing something prior to training, please get in touch to discuss how suitable it might be for you.

Unless you have taken a training course and you know sidemount is the way you want to head why invest so much in equipment..? How about instead pay more for your training and then make an informed decision on equipment selection (thus saving you time, money and frustration in the long run). All sidemount equipment will be provided for you during training, if you have your own you can bring this.

Sidemount Essentials is a 4 day training program that does much more than teach you how to sidemount dive, it makes you into a well rounded and capable diver.

During the program you will develop and be tested on the skills every diver should aim to have.

• Diving in a team, how to deal with diver emergencies
• Develop the correct reflex responses to surprise equipment failures
• Essentials skills like advanced navigation techniques and SMB deployment
• Develop advanced buoyancy, trim & propulsion (finning) techniques
• Learn dive planning and discussing the what if's and pre-dive problem solving
• Learn how to adapt to varying conditions, like current, surge, being lost
• Adapting to different dive sites and boat diving techniques
• Learn advanced navigation and underwater awareness techniques

Some benefits for the recreational diver;

• Diver will develop the essential skills set.
• This course is a lot more than just an "intro to technical diving"
• Easier to learn twin cylinder diving using sidemount than a backmounted twinset
• Course stays within recreational diving limits, increases safety and allows more in water time for learning
• Best thing to do is contact me and we can talk through your diving experience and together make suggestions on your best way forward.

Some benefits for the technical diver;

• Enables access to dive sites that taking a backmounted twinset is either difficult or impossible.
• Your cylinders are put on and taken off in water so no more straining your back and body.
• A system that offers a "true" redundant and independent air source (without carrying additional cylinders).
• Having the cylinders at your side enables better trim and buoyancy control (than with a twinset).
• Have easy access to your cylinder valves should a problem arise (fixes the can not reach behind the head twinset problem).
• Same equipment is used during more advanced technical training e.g. "wreck penetration" and cave diving in "restrictions".
• Having this speciality enables you to take further training using sidemount equipment during any PADI TecRec technical courses.

What will we do..?

There will be; theory, equipment workshops, surface land drills, training dives and open water dives. All will include detailed feedback and daily video debriefing sessions.

• Cylinder Setup Workshop
• Regulator Configuration Workshop
• Sidemount System Workshop
• Accessories Workshop
• Surface Land Drills
• Propulsion/Finning Techniques Workshop
• Review and Practice Valve Shutdown Procedures
• Review and Practice Gas Sharing Protocols
• Advanced Buoyancy Training
• Navigation Workshop (Correct Compass Use)
• Advanced Dive Planning & Underwater Simulation
• Team Diving Protocols & SMB Deployment

Suggested schedule;

• Day 1 - Equipment workshops & skills training dive 1.
• Day 2 - Complete theory, surface land drills & skills training dives 2 & 3.
• Day 3 - Open water dives 1 & 2 (& skills assessments)
• Day 4 - Open water dives 3 & 4 (& skills assessments)

What do I need to start..?

You need to be; PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent rating) and at least 18 years old with 25 logged dives (minimum).

• Mask & Suitable Fins
• Suitable Exposure Protection
• All Sidemount Equipment (will be provided)
• Compass/SMB & Spool (contact me for my recommendations)

What can I do once certified and what to try next..?

All future technical level courses can be done whilst wearing sidemount once you have done the initial Sidemount Essentials training.

Here is a test I suggest you try, it should prove how good the sidemount essentials program actually is... I suggest you visit my fan page, then look at all the sidemount essential divers and view anyone of their facebook profiles and you will see if they are still using sidemount or not 😀

I look forward to your questions and the chance to train you in sidemount. If you are an experienced instructor and want to offer this Sidemount Essentials Course to others then read my instructor level training courses below.

If Carlsberg made Cave Courses in Sidemount...

They would probably be offered in Mexico and look like this; My goal is simple, it's to offer you one of the best cave training courses available. After each course I run, I take the time to sit down and re-look over every aspect of the course, focusing on how each day can run better, the ideal locations, the equipment, logistics and ways I can best video document your training experience... Depending on your current experience level and any cavern or cave level certifications you already have, I then determine what days of my program you need to do. Types of cave training;

• Cavern Training - allow 4 days.
• Intro to Cave Diver - allow 5 days.
• Full Cave Diver - allow 8 days.
• Upgrade from Intro to Full Cave - allow 3 to 4 days.
• Stage Cave Diver - allow 3 days.
• DPV Cave Diver - allow 3 to 4 days.

Only x3 student spaces are available per course; once the 1st person books in that will fix the exact course dates for other students. You need to allow additional days before & after course (for practice or guided dives). All you need to do;

1. Arrange time off work for yourself (and family if you want to bring) suggest 7, 10 or 14 days.
2. Book your flights to Cancun, Mexico and accommodation in Playa, Puerto Aventuras or Tulum.
3. You only need to bring essential equipment; suitable exposure suit, mask, fins & dive computer, I can provide the rest.

What I will do;

• Pick you up & drop you off each day from your accommodation, days generally start 8am to 7pm.
• I provide cylinders, transport to dive sites (daily entrance fee varies & payable by you, approx. 10 to 20 US per day).
• I provide you with complete sidemount cave training equipment.
• Daily basic lunch provided between dives, you can also bring your own.
• Debrief you with HD video feedback during training, all videos are yours to keep after training.
• We will make a 50+ picture photo album and 4 to 5 minute highlight video of your course, this will appear on my Side Mount Scuba Diving facebook fan page.

So how does it work exactly; Most divers come to me for a full cave training course, this takes 8 days from start to finish. The first 4 to 5 days are the intro to cave level and the last 3 to 4 days are the full cave part. Once the full cave is completed it is normal that divers stay on and do 1 or 2 days additional guided cave dives where we visit some special non-training caves. If 10 days straight is too much diving for you don't worry, I can do first 5 days to complete intro then everyone has a day off to rest then we can continue... more rest days can be added if needed, best to discuss this with your holiday needs in mind. Still not sure what you might need, don't worry I suggest you contact me, with your experience and let me know your current diving certifications and I can then let you know what you need to complete either via emails or better over a Skype call. Who can join; Any diver that is at least 18 years old, has a advanced open water certification (or equivalent) with 50 logged dives. Courses will be conducted in sidemount, you do not need to be certified in sidemount to join, I will include training and certification within the training. One of the most important skills a cave diver must master is buoyancy control, depending on how good you feel you are, I will suggest upon talking to you and at booking stage, if you should take an (optional) day or two before the cave course start doing an open water sidemount workshop. If you have no sidemount experience and/or you feel you are not very competent with your diving essential skills, buoyancy, trim & finning techniques, then I suggest you do 2 days prior to each of our 8 day program. Here is a basic outline of what we will do;

• Day 1 - Cenote Ponderosa - Theory, land and open water workshop on buoyancy, trim and propulsion techniques.
• Day 2 - Ponderosa - Theory, land and open water "stress test" skills circuit and instructor lead cavern dive.
• Day 3 - Chikin Ha - Theory, line laying workshops, cavern dive and instructor lead intro to cave dive.
• Day 4 - Taj Mahal - Theory, x2 intro to cave level dives.
• Day 5 - Taj Mahal - Land workshop, x2 intro to cave dives with missing diver and lost line drills 🙂
• Day 6 - Car Wash - Theory, Navigation and open water water skills circuit, instructor lead cave dive.
• Day 7 - Minotauro - Theory, x2 cave dives with restrictions and air sharing.
• Day 8 - Gran Cenote - Theory, x2 cave dives with complex navigation.

I will provide regulators and sidemount system (if needed), you just need the rest. Cave training equipment list;

• Wetsuit (5mm or 7mm) water temp 25*C
• Wetsuit Hood (3mm or 5mm) or hooded vest
• Suitable fins and wetsuit boots (no split fins, call me if you have been using these)
• Mask (suggest black silicone)
• x3 Non-directional cave markers/rem's & x3 Directional line arrows
• x2 backup lights (small, suitable for helmet mounting)
• x1 canister light suitable for cave diving (I can provide if you do not have)
• x2 line cutting devices (suggest eezycut)
• x1 saftey spool (approx 30 metres long)
• x1 wetnotes
• x1 Dive computer
• x1 timing device (watch or dive timer)
• x1 compass (can be a small button compass for watch, suunto make a clipper compass)

I can provide helmet for use during training. Dive lights need to have a 4 hour burn-time (minimum). Remember: all equipment can be provided during training, this will include complete sidemount system, regulators, lights, cave equipment. You just need to bring suitable fins, exposure suit and mask. If you have your own equipment please provide me with a full list so we can check its suitability before you bring it. Sounds amazing, what does it cost..? I usually take a 25% deposit (ideally via PayPal) upon booking confirmation.

• Sidemount workshop (optional) - 300 USD (per day).
• Intro to cave course (5 days) - 1500 USD.
• Full cave upgrade (4 days) - 1200 USD.
• Complete cave course (8 days) - 2400 USD.
• Guided cave diving (includes 2 dives) - 300 USD (per day).

All courses will include your final certification and will be sanctioned TDI cave courses. If you join the complete cave course and are very competent moving through the training days, the training can be completed in 7 days, if so I will either reflect this in the price or do an additional day of guided diving (including video filming). More information & help with booking; Please contact - info@sidemounting.com - Skype name: steve626508 I hope this is a good enough reason for you to drop everything and come over, don't be one of those people wishing you would have 😉

Do you already have the essential diving skill set...

What are the essentials..? Buoyancy = being able to control yourself in any depth in the water column (being able to utilise your entire lung volume for precise control). Trim = being able to hold your body position flat "like a sky diver in free-fall" without straining your body (key is having a balanced equipment configuration). Propulsion = being able to effectively use a variety of fin techniques to best suit the diving environment you are in (having precise, efficient kicks are crucial). The simple concept is this... "Before you make any movement underwater you should always have correct B.T.P (Buoyancy, Trim and Propulsion); by ensuring this every effort you make will be at its maximum efficiency..." Developing this essential skill set you will now be able to develop "arguably" the most important skill... "Good Awareness Underwater" Do I need to dive in sidemount to learn these skills..? It is true that using sidemount equipment configuration in my opinion gives the best overall platform to learn this skill set; however gaining experience and taking essentials training in your current equipment configuration is still possible... the key is getting the right instructor who has the necessary experience to enable you to maximise what you can learn, so you can take the most value from any training you pay out for. Will this essentials training be included with your sidemount courses..? Short answer is YES it will, however if your know your current skills need some work or you are not sure, then contact me and I can walk you through what covered with the essentials training. We can decide together if you will need another day or two on top of the course. What I want is for you to get the most value for any training you receive their is a good reason why I am not the cheapest out there. How long does your essentials training take..? If I said to you what does practice make..? "most people would reply with perfect..." well I think it practice makes permanent this is because what you practice may not always be correct. A dive instructor who has a great deal of teaching experience and dives in different environments like open water, technical, cave would have the best ability to pass judgement on this... I generally conduct essentials training over 2 days, the idea is that I work with you to get your diving configuration to its maximum efficiency, then I develop your core diving skills. This includes advanced breathing techniques (buoyancy control), fin propulsion techniques like modified flutter kick, frog kick, helicopter turns, backward frog kick... While you demo back what you have seen, this is recorded in short videos, that are reviewed during the debrief and then you can further practice the skills until you master them. Having efficient diving techniques will take plenty of practice, what is important is that you go away practising something that you know is correct... this can only be insured by taking essentials training from someone who can actually do underwater what you want to be able to do... How do I get this training and what will it cost..? This training will be done at my daily rate and is designed to prepare you for any other training course. If your skills are good then it may only take 1 day to work on the bits above your need more development in.

A try dive session different than all the others...

What is a sidemount try dive session..? It is a session designed to do one thing, put you into "the same exact system" I use and then put you straight underwater to experience sidemount diving. All the donning and doffing skills, equipment workshops like setting up your sidemount system, regulator & cylinder setup are all left for a full training program. I will make it so you can get underwater in sidemount as "quickly & stress free" as possible. Most people have said they learn more about buoyancy, trim and propulsion techniques in this short session with myself, than in any of their previous training courses. This is not just a try dive but a chance to experience sidemount diving exactly like I setup all my full course students. What will we do..? I set you up in a custom fitted sidemount system (approx 30 mins) Then don x2 sidemount cylinders to you (whilst in water) We then descend and do some exercises (regulator switches & SPG checks) Then spend 30 to 45 minutes testing out your overall diving skill level (with skills from my essential program) I will then doff cylinders and debrief the session (with video reviews) What do I need to start..? You need to be; PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent rating) and at least 18 years old with 25 logged dives (minimum). Mask & Suitable Fins Suitable Exposure Protection All other equipment provided Session can be done in pool, confined or open water site.

Steve offers all TDI and PADI technical courses in sidemount configuration only...

I have been offering PADI DSAT and later TecRec courses since 2004, in 2008 I learned to sidemount and have never looked back. It is true I loved diving with a backmounted twinset, but once tried sidemount I have yet in several years needed to donn a twinset. This is because quite simply put sidemount works in my opinion better for all forms of technical diving. The trick is knowing how to sidemount correctly and that is where I can help you. What course options are there..? Training courses and certifications offered in the TDI range, Advanced Nitrox, Decompression Procedures, Helitrox, Normoxic Trimix or Full Trimix. I also offer the full range of equivalent levels under the PADI TecRec system, see details below...

• Tec 40 -The entry point into the technical range, it provides a transition from recreational to tech. Although the use of full tech gear (doubles and wings) is preferred, it does allow modified use of recreational gear in some situations, provided the diver has two separate regulators, with one of the first stages fitted with a long hose. The intended working limit for a diver of this grade is 40 metres/130 feet with up to 10 minutes of non-accelerated decompression while breathing up to EANx50.
• Tec 45 -The diver now must wear the full ‘standardised’ tech rig, including wings and doubles, plus an additional deco cylinder. (Note that side mounted cylinders are an acceptable alternative to back mounted doubles throughout the TecRec range). The course will allow the diver to go to 45 metres/145 feet and make accelerated decompression dives using any mix of EANx or oxygen.
• Tec 50 - At the end of this course the diver will have the same set of skills and knowledge as the present Tec Deep Diver. As such it represents a high level of competency for a technical diver. Although the option exists to make the last dive of the course using trimix, it is intended as an air/nitrox rating and by the end the diver can dive to a maximum of 50 metres/165 feet and make extended, accelerated decompression dives.
• Tec Trimix 65 - This course opens up the advantages of trimix to the diver, and divers are qualified to make multi-stop decompression dives that employ EANx and oxygen for accelerated decompression, and any trimix with an oxygen content of 18% or more. They can dive to a maximum depth of 65 metres/210 feet.
• Tec Trimix - This level is essentially the same as the existing course of this name. Therefore there is no numbered suffix after the course title — there are no limits are placed on how deep the diver can go after training, providing they build their experience gradually.

What do I need to start..? TecRec prerequisites vary (best to contact me), but the following applies to anyone interested in technical diving:

• • 18 years or older
  • Medically fit for tec diving
  • Willing to accept the added risks that tec diving presents
  • An experienced diver with at least 100 logged dives
  • Certified as a PADI Enriched Air Diver and PADI Deep Diver or equivalent (equivalencies vary please contact me for more information)

It is best to contact me with the level your interested in and I will provide you with all information you require. For the costs of each course, please email me with your location. I do offer training all over the world, you just need to check with me when I will be close to your area and I can talk with a local dive centre and put together a course schedule for you. More details of how I operate are explained on my sidemount course training page. What equipment do I require..? Below is a list of the equipment you require for making technical dives in sidemount configuration, I may be able to provide the equipment for you. If you have your own I can help you customise it to get the most from it and the course with me.

• Mask, Fins & Suitable Exposure Protection (snorkel optional)
• 2 Single Tanks
• 2 Primary Regulators and 1st Stages
• (Stage Cylinders and Regulators extra)
• 1.5 to 2m long regulator hose (recommend Miflex)
• Sidemount Harness & BCD (approved by instructor prior to the course)
• Dive Tables, Depth Gauge & Dive Timer (or Dive Computer)
• Divers Tool or Knife
• Slate with Pencil
• Two Surface Signalling Devices (whistle & SMB or signal mirror)
• Reel & SMB (if required by local regulations)
• Compass
• Multi Pouch Or Pocket
• Redundancy Equipment (spare bungee, double ended bolt snap, cable ties and mouthpiece)

What can I do once certified and what to try next..? There are many levels of sidemount specialties after you start down the technical training ladder.

I want to teach sidemount will you train me..?

Please Note: Update for 2020..

Corona-Virus has put a holt to all in-water training courses. I am currently in the process of creating a complete new online training series aimed at instructors, this will become the required materials for instructors authorised to offer our Sidemount Essentials training course. I expect to release the instructor materials 4th QTR 2020 or 1st QTR 2021. Details will be released on this page - https://www.sidemounting.com/new-lessons/

Yes, but there are conditions.. (please read in full)

Firstly, the sidemount instructor course I offer is unique to all the rest. Read everything below to see about becoming an official Sidemounting.com - Sidemount Essentials Instructor.

Sidemount Essentials is a custom speciality, that I have been developing ever since 2010. Starting from 2017, I have decided to offer instructor level training for Sidemount Essentials to instructors who have a real proven passion for sidemount diving and looking to offer the highest quality Side Mount training to their students. Any instructor that earns this credential from us constantly receives training updates, ensuring their teaching abilities remain up to date and consistent with sidemounting.com.

What you must do;

You must first take my student level course and then spend time developing your own sidemount diving skill level, before I will consider you to become a Sidemount Essentials instructor. There is no fast track option to getting this instructor credential, sorry. This is the only way I can assure everyone else, that you have taken the right initial sidemount training and then put the time in needed to become a highly competent sidemount diver, before offering this level of training to others.

Sidemount diving is something that I have spent the last 10+ years changing my life and business around. I only want to work with people who have a true passion for wanting to teach sidemount diving and who are looking to really make a real difference within the dive industry.

Reasons to offer our Sidemount Essentials course;

Firstly it will separate you from all the other "Side Mount Instructors" in this now booming market...

• Enables you to build a solid name and reputation for yourself in the sidemount training world.
• You will be offering my Sidemount Essentials specialty, which has a world renowned quality stamp on it.
• Students will pay for valuable training.
• Steve Martin will be supporting and backing you 100% as a sidemount instructor.
• I will also back and support your business, helping you and it stand out from the others.

Please note: there are restrictions placed on how you conduct the sidemount essentials course; this is to ensure worldwide consistency between instructors and maintain the reputation and creditability of the Sidemount training program.

How do I maintain my Sidemount Essentials Instructor rating;

• Attend an annual training update, conducted by Steve Martin (2 days)
• Use only the latest up to date online teaching presentations and videos
• Maintain the fixed course price for the sidemount essentials program
• Only use the approved sidemount equipment listed on the Sidemount Essentials course page
• Training must take place over a 4 day process, strictly following the skill sequence and course outline
• You can only offer this sidemount course to others (maintains quality and value)
• Any changes to the training outline must be authorised by Steve Martin
• You will pay Steve Martin a fixed fee per student completing this training course.

After we have agreed that you are ready to become a sidemount essentials instructor. You will join a sidemount essentials course I am conducting and assist a minimum of x1 complete training course. I would be training you to become a competent instructor, not just giving you a ticket to teach. So if you are not up to scratch then more work would be needed before I can provide you with this certification. Training with me to become a sidemount instructor is not going to be the easiest option, the most valuable and rewarding, offering you a sustained income in the future ...most likely!!