Speaking Sidemount

In this episode sponsored by XDEEP, I catch up with Sandra Clopp. Sandra is an exceptional diver, instructor, adventurer, and role model for aspiring divers. I seriously enjoyed our discussions and the depth of thought and practice she has put into her growth as a diver and teacher.

She walks the talk and by that I mean, she hones her skills through regular practice, she seeks out and forms relationships with mentors from whom she can learn and follow. And then ultimately, she travels the world enjoying adventures that enrich her own diving.

In this episode, Sandra and I discuss, how she got into diving and sidemount diving. How seeking out cave diving instruction benefits your diving at all levels, we talk sidemount boat diving and introduce how we are diving the KISS Sidewinder from boats. We discuss sidemount setup and contrast Florida and Mexico style sidemount diving, and we talk at length about Sandra's upcoming training and her work as a KISS ambassador... All this and much, much more...

Thanks to:

XDEEP - https://www.xdeep.eu/

In this episode sponsored by XDEEP, I catch up with Mexico based cave diver, explorer, and instructor, Roger Williams of Xoc-Ha.

We talked about how Roger got into diving, cave diving and instructing. We contrast the paths that you can take in diving - becoming an instructor or... focusing on developing as a diver through tech training. I get Roger's perspectives on sidemount and how he dives sidemount in the caves of the Yucatan Peninsula.

We discuss the importance of using local guides to build knowledge of a new area and then we cover the local line committee who make collective decisions on permanent lines and markers for the region.

We finish by getting Rogers perspective on the "Somos Los Cenotes" initiative and the importance of conservation with respect to real estate development.

#somosloscenotes #Xoc-Ha #cavediving #sidemountdiving #sidemountpros

Xoc-Ha - https://www.xoc-ha.com/

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

In this episode sponsored by XDEEP, I catch up again with Toddy and we talk all things caves in Sardinia. We then go deep into his staggering cave exploration Project Utopia where Toddy is set to break cave exploration distance records while employing cutting edge decompression strategies to accomplish these amazing dives. Listen in to hear how Toddy is doing this and also how he is helping to develop the next generation of Cave Explorers at Protec Sardinia.

#XDEEP, #SupramonteKarstExplorationProject #ProtecSardinia #ProjectUtopia #SidemountPros #cavediving #caveexploration

https://www.xdeep.eu/

https://protecsardinia.com/

In this episode sponsored by XDEEP and Shearwater Research, we "turn the tables" and Audrey Cudel interviews me!

We talk about, my vision when I started Speaking Sidemount, how I develop episodes and find interview guests, how my own knowledge has grown through the interviews.

We discuss the diving here in NZ and the sidemount training courses that I run. We cover my experience training on the KISS Sidewinder with Edd Sorenson, and plans for future CCR diving, diving the XDEEP Stealth 2.0 Tec with the Sidewinder, and we finish with my thoughts on the current state of sidemount diving.

#XDEEP #Shearwaterresearch #sidemountdiving #cavediving #sidemountccr #KISSSidewinder #Sidemountpros #Stevedavis #audreycudel 

In this episode sponsored by XDEEP, I catch up with Chris Dawson to discuss his experiences dealing with PTSD and depression following two operational tours in Iraq with the British Army.

In this inspiring story, Chris shares his journey from rock-bottom to recovery through diving and how he has become involved with the organisation, 'Dive Against Depression' where he is working to help others affected by mental health issues.

Chris and I also discuss sidemount diving, cave diving, and our recent transition to diving sidemount CCR.

Sponsor XDEEP - https://www.xdeep.eu

Dive Against Depression - https://www.facebook.com/diveagainstdepression/

#xdeep #ptsd #depression #mentalhealth #diveagainstdepression #sidemountdiving #cavediving #sidemountccr #sidemountpros

What you are about to hear is the first-hand account of the experiences of Richard "Harry" Harris during the Thai cave rescue. His excitement at the opportunity to participate was quickly replaced by the trepidation of what the rescue team faced. They almost certainly would witness the deaths of the 12 boys and their coach and there was little hope that they would be successful. But they had to try.

Harry had to deal with ethical dilemmas as he agreed to the plan to anesthetise the kids and then submerge them underwater for up to 3 hours to transport them out of the cave.

This account focuses on the events and also on the diving aspects of the rescue. How they actually accomplished the dives, the equipment they used the conditions they faced the skills sets, what went well and the near misses that occurred.

All this and much more...

Sponsor:

XDEEP - https://www.xdeep.eu/

#XDEEP #Sidemountpros #sidemountdiving #cavediving #Caveccr #sidemountccr #Thaicaverescue #Richard Harris #Againstallodds

In this episode sponsored by XDEEP and Shearwater Research, I sit down with Edd Sorenson and discuss my experiences training and diving with him on the KISS Sidewinder mCCR.

I spent a brilliant two weeks with Edd at Cave Adventurers, Marianna, Florida so we had much to discuss and cover:

• Sidemount vs. Backmount CCR
• Why a sidemount CCR can be your first choice
• Myths and reality re the KISS Sidewinder
• My experiences with the KISS Sidewinder and how they aligned with my expectations
• How we progressively planned and built our dives post-course
• Combining the Shearwater NERD 2 with the KISS Sidewinder

All this and much more...

Sponsors:

XDEEP - https://www.xdeep.eu/

Shearwater Research - https://www.shearwater.com/

#XDEEP #Shearwater #KISSCCR #KISSsidewinder #Sidemountpros #Caveadventurers #EddSorenson #sidemountdiving #cavediving #Caveccr

In this episode sponsored by XDEEP, I catch up with Gareth Lock of "The Human Diver" and author of the book "Under Pressure".

We discuss Gareth's application of human factors principles taken from the aviation industry in diving and their subsequent benefit in supporting dive safety. While not a specific sidemount episode, this is important for all divers and particularly those involved in technical diving.

Sponsor:

XDEEP www.xdeep.eu

The Human Diver - www.thehumandiver.com

#Humandiver #XDEEP #Sidemountpros #sidemountdiving

In this episode sponsored by XDEEP, I interview Greek cave diver and instructor, Stratis Kas. Stratis is a professional fashion photographer and videographer who successfully combines his profession with his passion for sidemount and cave diving.

He is a super cool guy and I really enjoyed his perspectives on sidemount, cave diving, videography, and learned heaps about the caves of Greece.

#XDEEP #shearwater #sidemountdiving #cavediving #Sidemountpros #stevedavis #stratiskas #Intothewildadventures #Infiniteliquid #Somosloscentoes

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

In this episode sponsored by XDEEP, I catch up with Richard "Harry" Harris. A key member of the Thai Cave Rescue, Australian of the Year and cave explorer, Harry is one of the nicest guys I have ever met. 

Harry and I discuss, how he got into diving, cave diving and exploration, the connection between anaesthesiology and diving, how the cave exploration group... The "Wet Mules" was formed... Harry shares on his experiences diving to over 220m in Pearse Resurgence, his partnership with Craig Challen, how being named joint Australian of the Year has affected his life, and how he is using this platform to promote outdoor and adventure pursuits to our kids... All this and much more in this episode of Speaking Sidemount.

#XDEEP #sidemountdiving #sidemountpros #stevedavis #richardharris #cavediving