The podcast where we talk all things sidemount and cave diving, from equipment, skills, techniques and sidemount/cave diving expeditions to interviews with some of the world's top sidemount and cave divers. Whether you are new to sidemount diving, have been diving sidemount for years or just want to know more, this is THE place for all things sidemount. Subscribe to receive new episodes every month. If you like the podcast, please consider leaving us a 5-star review. More info via our website…
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Does experience really make you an expert diver?Most divers believe that more dives automatically lead to greater expertise. In this episode of Speaking Sidemount, technical diver, instructor and founder of The Thinking Diver, Christof Müller, challenges that assumption.Steve and Christof explore what separates experienced divers from expert divers, discussing deliberate practice, human…
You’ve bought the harness. You’ve set up the cylinders. Now comes the part that actually makes you a sidemount diver.In Part 2 of the Sidemount 101 series, brought to you by XDEEP, Steve Davis takes you from equipment setup into the water, covering the skills that transform sidemount from a configuration into a diving system. We’ll explore entries and exits, cylinder donning and doffing,…
Have you ever watched really good sidemount divers underwater and wondered how they make it look so effortless?Meanwhile, your cylinders float, your trim feels unstable, hoses are everywhere, and it feels like you’re constantly fighting your equipment?In episode 120 of Speaking Sidemount, Steve Davis breaks down the complete philosophy and equipment foundation behind exceptional sidemount diving…
I got stuck inside a wreck I knew better than anyone. This is the story of my close call on HMNZS Canterbury — and how complacency nearly cost me my life. In this solo episode of Speaking Sidemount, brought to you by XDEEP, I break down a real close call during a wreck-penetration dive on the HMNZS Canterbury in New Zealand. Despite years of experience, deep familiarity with the wreck, and even…
In this episode of Speaking Sidemount, brought to you by XDEEP, Steve Davis reacts to and analyses the 2021 wreck-diving tragedy inside the wreck of HMS Scylla off Plymouth, UK. This is Steve's reaction to Dom Robinson's interview with Adam Dent, the sole survivor of this tragic dive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMYKjZocins&t=1996s On the dive in question, two divers lost their lives during a…
The Sidewinder 2 is here — and the story behind it is wild. In this episode brought to you by XDEEP, Patrick Widmann joins me to share the real journey behind the years-long development of the Sidewinder 2 rebreather. From design struggles, manufacturing setbacks and testing fails, to finally achieving CE approval in January 2026. Please sit back and enjoy this behind-the-scenes look from inside…
In Episode #116 brought to you by XDEEP, Steve Davis is joined by Gustavo “Tavo” Padilla-Pohjanen of Darkside Divers, Mexico. From a rocky start in snowboarding to discovering peace and purpose underwater, Tavo shares his remarkable journey into diving, sidemount, and ultimately the caves of Mexico.Tavo opens up about the importance of foundational training, the need for a strong mindset and…
In this final episode of Speaking Sidemount for 2025, brought to you by XDEEP, Steve Davis sits down with Omar Derbala, a technical and CCR instructor born and raised in Dahab, one of the most iconic and influential technical diving locations in the world.Omar quite literally grew up in a dive centre, surrounded by technical divers from an early age. This upbringing shaped his calm, precise, and…
In this brutally honest episode brought to you by XDEEP, Steve Davis sits down with Chris Richardson, founder of Deep Six Gear, to unpack three decades of hard truths inside the dive industry. From the early days at Oceanic to the realities of online retail, dealer politics, teaching professionalism, and gear innovation — Chris lays it all out.We also honour the lives and contributions of Michael…
In this episode of Speaking Sidemount brought to you by XDEEP, Steve Davis talks with Mark Rowe, a former British Army Royal Engineer who began diving in 1989 and went on to become a leading sidemount and technical instructor.Mark shares his incredible journey from military service to full-time diving instructor, including his role in developing the Battle Back program, using diving to…
