In this episode of Speaking Sidemount, brought to you by XDEEP, Steve Davis interviews Anand Chandra Sekaran, a PADI Course Director based in Malaysia, who shares his journey from a small town in Malaysia to becoming a diving instructor, sidemount and cave diver. Anand discusses his early fascination with underwater exploration, the transition to sidemount diving, and the importance of effective instructor training. The conversation takes us back to the roots of Speaking Sidemount, covering the essential aspects of sidemount diving, including equipment setup and fitting, sidemount entries and exits, correct weighting, buoyancy control, and posture and propulsion techniques, emphasising the need for continuous learning in sidemount diving.Steve and Anand delve further into the intricacies of sidemount diving, discussing various aspects such as cylinder types, gas management, the significance of proper buoyancy, weighting awareness, and the integration of tech diving principles into instructor training. The discussion also emphasises the need for instructors to be well-versed in sidemount techniques and the importance of continuous practice and adaptation in different diving environments.Massive thanks to:Our sponsor XDEEP - https://www.xdeep.eu/Anand Chandra Selaran - https://www.antigravitydiving.com/Chapters00:00 Introduction to Anand Chandra Sekaran05:52 Diving Journey and Early Experiences06:22 Transition to Teaching Diving11:19 Challenges and Growth in a Diving Career14:10 Finding Passion in Teaching Diving16:46 Reflections on Diving Experiences18:38 Getting into Sidemount Diving23:16 Sidemount to Cave Training24:12 Suggested Level of Experience to Start Sidemount Diving25:17 Foundational Skills for Sidemount Diving28:48 Equipment Setup and Fitting Techniques30:09 Stability & Finning Techniques32:26 Entry and Exit Techniques for Sidemount Divers33:05 Sidemount Skill Development in the Water40:17 Steve Martin - Sidemounting.com Video Training42:32 Why the Gas Sharing Drill is So Important44:16 XDEEP Exploration Support Program45:45 Sidemount Gas Sharing/Hose Stowing47:10 Sidemount Boat Exit Techniques50:13 Sidemount Gas Management51:20 Cylinder Trim - Sliding or Fixed D-rings?56:44 Innovative Teaching Techniques in Diving01:00:11 Integrating Technical Diving Principles into Instructor Training01:01:36 Challenges in Instructor Development Programs01:04:16 The Role of Neutral Buoyancy in Diving Training01:08:33 Understanding Weight Checks and Buoyancy Control01:16:18 Pathway to Becoming a Sidemount Instructor01:20:12 Travelling to Malaysia - Visit Anti Gravity Divers01:21:09 Avelo - Exploring New Diving Technologies and Systems

In this episode of Speaking Sidemount, brought to you by XDEEP, host Steve Davis welcomes Xavi P. Tapia, a cave diver and instructor from Ecuador, who shares his journey through the world of diving. From his beginnings in the Galapagos Islands to establishing his dive center, "The Art of Diving" in the Dominican Republic.

Xavi discusses the philosophy behind The Art of Diving and the importance of mentorship and continuous learning in the diving community. The conversation also addresses the challenges of adapting to various diving conditions, particularly cold-water diving, and the importance of safety and proper training in the sport. Xavi shares his insights on the importance of learning in diving, the beauty and challenges of diving in the Dominican Republic, and the ongoing conservation efforts to protect the underwater environment.

He emphasizes the need for divers to adopt a student mindset, the unique diving experiences available in the Dominican Republic, and the significance of maintaining safe diving practices and preserving the natural beauty of the caves.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

07:19 Diving Journey and Experiences

12:34 Transition to Cave Diving and Instruction

16:24 The Art of Diving and Personal Growth

18:29 Diving as a Science and Practice

20:22 Collaboration and Community in Diving

22:57 Future Aspirations and Safety in Diving

29:19 Practice & Building your Skills

30:59 Navigating Cold Water Challenges

34:59 The Art of Diving: Training and Philosophy

38:44 XDEEP Exploration Support Program

40:15 Learning from Diverse Instructors

48:01 Exploring the Dominican Republic's Diving Paradise

52:55 Cave Diving Challenges and Experiences

01:05:38 Conservation Efforts in the Dominican Republic

01:10:09 Reinforcing Cave Diving Safety

01:15:25 Traveling to the Dominican Republic for Diving

It's great to bring you Episode 108 of Speaking Sidemount, the podcast dedicated to sidemount diving and cave diving—huge thanks to our show sponsor, XDEEP.

In this episode, I interview Nick DeRutter, a Tech Instructor Trainer and the creator of the Dive Saga YouTube channel. We discuss Nick's diving journey, the ethos behind Dive Saga, and the exciting Bottom Line Projects Boh Yai Mine exploration, which is featured in an epic four-part series on Dive Saga.

The conversation delves into technical diving, storytelling in underwater filmmaking, production quality, and the challenges of monetising dive content. Nick shares insights on the importance of collaboration with experienced divers and the future aspirations for Dive Saga, emphasising the need for continuous learning and growth in the diving industry.

Enjoy :) Steve

Image credit and thanks: Carolina Wells @divewells

Thanks to Nick DeRutter @DiveSAGA

and our sponsor XDEEP https://www.xdeep.eu/

Sidemount Fundamentals eBook - https://www.sidemountpros.com/store/sidemount-fundamentals-ebook