Friday, May 18, 2012
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** All major website changes will be shown in this section, provides easy reference for returning website viewers.

"Keep up-to-date on website changes" (find this section in left menu bar)

New Articles Section (click here)New Courses Section - added to the website (view here) - 8th Feb 2012

New Articles Section - added to the website (see here) -  1st Feb 2012

Steve Martin - appears in January's edition of Sport Diver Magazine (see here) - Jan 2012

Major Update to Equipment Page - Multi-Use Vs Sidemount "Only" Systems (visit it here) - Nov 2011

Click here for more information...Official Release of the Apeks Sidemount Regulator Package - (visit it here) - October 2011

New Section "I Got Razorized" - added to the website!! (visit it here) - August 2011

New Testimonials - Aaron, Chris & Will share their thoughts (see here) - July 2011

New Photos - Tec Diving Course with the (Razor Side Mount System) - June 2011
 
Sidemount Only and Modular BCDs Systems  

Is a sidemount "only" system what I need..?"  Back to main page 

Firstly I highly recommend taking training when learning to sidemount dive, do not be one of the people who tries to teach themselves. If you do you again will find that, you spent a lot of dives tweaking your system when you could easily take a short course and advance your skill level to the same or even better than someone having done 50 sidemount dives in as little as 5 dives with an "experienced" sidemount diving instructor (see course section) 

During a sidemount training course your instructor should be talking to you about being correctly weighted based on the dive being undertaken the environmental conditions and the exposure suit and cylinders you will require.

This generally means the amount of lift you would require from your sidemount BCD will vary. The lift required can be less if diving just in a wetsuit and using aluminum cylinders compared to diving in a drysuit and diving with steel cylinders, the idea being you need a BCD or wing that will provide enough lift to support you at the surface with your cylinders full and still support you at the deepest point of your dive, as you dive you then need less and less lift from your BCD as the air in cylinders is being used etc. This can mean that a 50lbs (22 kilo) wing can offer way more lift than is necessary and you may find this then is not as streamlined and efficient as a modular type of BCD found on "sidemount only" systems.

If you are looking to only dive in sidemount these types of sidemount "only" systems have quite a few advantages when it comes to using just sidemount.

If you are looking to teach sidemount diving, then a "multi-use" sidemount systems might be the best way to go at the moment, especially the ones that have C.E approval which all dive instructors working in Europe must be have when instructing other divers during training courses. 

Steve Bogaerts - Razor HarnessSee below for current commercially available products;

Please note: I have gone through a "Razor Harness" fitting workshop directly from Steve Bogaerts. This enables me to use the same fitting methods he uses when he custom fits his harness to you. I will have razor harnesses available for you to use during any training, please visit my course pages for different training options.
 
 
 

Steve Bogaerts - Razor Harness

Advantages - It's a true custom fit harness, extremely light weight, can be adjusted easily with no tools. Many of the modifications I make to other harnesses during your training course will be based on concepts from this one.

Disadvantages - It currently does not have a commercially viable BCD. Many divers are using either a standard BCD over the top or a small camelbak, MSR hydration bladder as a oral inflation type of BCD. Steve is in the process of manufacturing commercial BCD’s to go with his harness, they will have low pressure inflators or oral only options and be available in many sizes, so you can choose the required lift capacity you need. They can also be layered on top of each other e.g. main BCD and backup BCD if you are not using a drysuit etc…

You can purchase one of these harnesses directly from Steve by following the links through his website www.gosidemount.com - visit my photo and video page to see this harness in action. Some of Steve's cave diving and exploration videos, can be viewed on my links page

 

Modular BCD System - (compatible with Razor style harness)

Advantages - Small, extremely light weight, modular in design, you can get different sizes depending on lift you require. Can add additional or backup modular BCD underneath still keeping very streamlined. Low cost compared to other most sidemount BCDs on the market. It puts the lift exactly where you need it when diving sidemount.

Disadvantages - They are not currently on the market, the ones you see around like this one are prototypes being tested. I suspect you will see the modular BCDs hit the market towards the end of 2010 or early 2011.

Keep checking back here for updates, I will let let you know as soon as they hit the market.

 
 
Dive Rite Nomad Expedition Harness/Rig with the Armadillo butt plate. Video shows incorrect trimming of sidemount cylinders, when using the "door handles" to mount the rear of the cylinder the base of the cylinder rides to high. After adjustment trim is corrected, note not using any attachments on the rear of the harness or butt plate.
Steve Martin, Sidemount (single cylinder) training course promotional video. Dives made using the Steve Bogaerts designed razor sidemount harness. Location Ponderosa, Mexico.
Want to know more about how your cylinders weight changes during a dive..? Video has information on what effects the weight change and has tests showing cylinders at different air pressures during dives in salt and fresh water. It displays whether they have Negative, Neutral or Positive Buoyancy.
Steve Martin, Sidemount (twin cylinder) training course promotional video. Dives made using the Steve Bogaerts designed razor sidemount harness. Location Ponderosa, Mexico.
Steve Bogaerts demonstrates some basic skills scuba diving in sidemount configuration while using his Razor Harness and BAT Wing.
Calendar shows where I will be and duration of my time there. If I am in your area and you want to join a course, contact me for locations. If you see any dates free and would like me to visit your dive centre or location, drop me an email with location, course interest and possible dates.
Sidemount is by far the best configuration to use for developing every divers essential skill set. This video highlights what is covered with the side mount essentials training. There is a PADI and PADI TecRec option for divers wanting certification and a non-certification option for experienced divers.
Please note: Single Cylinder (is no longer offered as a stand alone course). It will be included as a workshop with an "optional training dive" with all of the above courses.
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"Click on the PADI Course your interested in for more details..."

PADI Sidemount Courses offered by Steve Martin  Sidemount Essentials PADI Sidemount Diver PADI Tec Sidemount Diver Tec Advanced Sidemount Wreck Diver Tailored Sidemount Training Sidemount Try Dive Essentials Training Sidemount Tec Trimix Course Sidemount Tec 65 Course Sidemount Tec 50 Course Sidemount Tec 45 Course Sidemount Tec 40 Course Sidemount Instructor Courses (All Levels)

"Click on Course your interested in for more details..."

Go Sidemount Courses offered by Steve Martin  Open Water Scuba Certification Open Water Essentials Diver Cavern Diver Cavern Diver Official Razor Instructors (Steve Martin's Profile) Basic Sidemount Open Water Diver Advanced Sidemount Open Water Diver Sidemount Specialties Stage Diver DPV Diver Multi Stage Diver Technical Diver (Level 1) Technical Diver (Level 2)

PADI Scuba Diving Training (website)  
  
 
This is my scuba diving training website. PADI Course Director Steve Martin offers PADI, EFR, DSAT Scuba Diving and First Aid Training including Instructor Development Courses, Technical Scuba Diver Courses and Dive Centre Development Worldwide.
 
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I may be away from my computer for a few days, due to traveling around the country - if you would like prefer to call me I have a mobile (cell) number you can find details on my contact page (click here)
 
 
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