Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis

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Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis

The Podcast where we talk all things sidemount and cave diving - equipment, skills, expeditions and interviews with the world's top sidemount and cave divers.
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19/09/2026

PATRON EARLY ACCESS — FOUR HOURS UNDERGROUND

You’ve reached West Kingsdale Master Cave, nearly two kilometres from where you started. You take a breath, appreciate the moment—and remember you still have to get home.

Scott RG is back on Speaking Sidemount, and this episode is available now on early release for our patrons.

We follow his solo Keld Head return dive: 3.7 kilometres and 236 minutes with his KISS Sidewinder and DPV. Scott takes us through the preparation, Dead Man’s Handshake, the final junction before surfacing, and the concentration needed for the journey back.

One of my favourite parts is his account of the earlier attempt—turning around just 300 metres short, then using what he learned to come back better prepared.

We also talk about diving in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, rebuilding his equipment after a devastating garage fire, and what he might attempt next.

❤️ Watch or listen early on Patreon

To everyone supporting Speaking Sidemount: thank you. Your contribution helps me keep these conversations coming.

Huge thanks also to our sponsor XDEEP.

Like, subscribe and share Speaking Sidemount with your dive buddies—and let me know what stood out to you in this conversation.

Four Hours Underground | Scott RG’s Solo Keld Head Cave Dive by Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis on Patreon. Join Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis's community for exclusive content and updates.

26/08/2026

🎙️ NEW EPISODE OUT NOW
The Making of an Exceptional Technical Diver
After nearly forty years in technical diving and more than 17,000 dives, Tom Steiner has trained thousands of divers around the world.

But as Tom says...
"It's not about how many certifications you have."

In this episode we discuss:
✅ Becoming a better diver
✅ Technical diving philosophy
✅ Sidemount vs twinset
✅ Teamwork and attitude
✅ Instructor development
✅ Greenland expeditions
✅ The future of technical diving

Tom has been my mentor, instructor and friend for more than a decade, and this conversation is full of lessons that every diver can benefit from.

🎧 Watch or listen now!

YouTube - https://youtu.be/Z0zrS8sffAU
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2VE05FRwk2pfg5PRCZsRnB?si=85492140581c4cd3

A huge thank you to our sponsor XDEEP, and to the Patrons of Speaking Sidemount for helping make conversations like this possible.

What does it really take to become an exceptional technical diver?...

19/08/2026

🎙️ EARLY ACCESS FOR PATRONS
No one has influenced my diving more than Tom Steiner.
Tom was my instructor, mentor, and later my boss at Gozo Technical Diving. Many of the standards I teach today were shaped during those years.

In Episode 123, we go far beyond equipment and certifications to explore what really makes an exceptional technical diver.
With over 17,000 dives, Tom shares his philosophy on attitude, teamwork, judgement, instructor development, sidemount, technical diving and why experience will always matter more than the number of cards in your wallet.

This is one of my favourite conversations we've ever had. Available now for Speaking Sidemount Patrons.

Thank you to our sponsor XDEEP and to our Patrons for making these episodes possible.

The Making of an Exceptional Technical Diver | Tom Steiner | Speaking Sidemount #123 by Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis on Patreon. Join Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis's community for exclusive content and updates.

26/07/2026

Does experience really make you an expert diver? 🤔

My latest episode of Speaking Sidemount is now live, featuring Christof Müller — The Thinking Diver.

We get into experience vs expertise, deliberate practice, human factors, training, equipment, and what really separates a good diver from a great one.

This is a conversation about becoming a better diver, whatever kind of diving you do.

🎧 Watch/listen now 👇
YouTube - https://youtu.be/itFAUOCxlSg
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5maTm4RttC6QgYSrhjq20O?si=96114d2aecf84f6b
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/experience-doesnt-equal-expertise-christof-mu-ller/id1430566498?i=1000778430125

Huge thanks to XDEEP for sponsoring Speaking Sidemount, and to the Patrons of Speaking Sidemount whose support helps me keep producing these conversations.

Does experience really make you an expert diver?Most divers belie...

20/07/2026

🎙️ Early Access is Live!
Patrons can now watch my latest Speaking Sidemount conversation with Christof Müller (The Thinking Diver).

We explore why experience doesn't always equal expertise, and what really separates good divers from great ones.

Thanks to XDEEP and our patrons for making these conversations possible. Enjoy!

Experience Doesn't Equal Expertise | Christof Müller | Ep. 122 by Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis on Patreon. Join Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis's community for exclusive content and updates.

26/06/2026

🎥 NEW EPISODE OUT NOW

Sidemount 101 Part 2: Putting It In The Water...

Huge thanks to our sponsor - XDEEP.

Have you ever watched a really good sidemount diver and wondered:

“How do they make it look so easy?”

Here’s the secret.

Buying a sidemount harness doesn’t make you a sidemount diver.

The real learning starts the first time you put it in the water.

In this episode, I take you through the practical side of sidemount diving, covering:

🔹 Entries and exits
🔹 Donning and doffing cylinders
🔹 Weighting and buoyancy control
🔹 Trim, balance and stability
🔹 Propulsion techniques
🔹 Regulator switching and gas management
🔹 Emergency drills
🔹 How to choose a good sidemount instructor

Most importantly, we’ll explore the concept of relaxed static stability — becoming so comfortable and balanced underwater that your equipment almost disappears and you can focus entirely on the dive.

Whether you’re new to sidemount or looking to refine your skills, this episode provides a roadmap to greater comfort, confidence and control in the water.

🎬 Watch now:

https://youtu.be/_hnVJsg076E

A huge thank you to XDEEP and the patrons of Speaking Sidemount for helping make this content possible.

You’ve bought the harness. You’ve set up the cylinders. Now comes t...

22/06/2026

🔒 EARLY ACCESS FOR PATRONS

Sidemount 101 Part 2: Putting It In The Water is now live for patrons!

In Part 1, we built the foundation with sidemount philosophy, equipment, regulators, cylinders, harnesses and setup.

Now it’s time to get wet.

In this episode, we cover:

✅ Entries and exits
✅ Donning and doffing cylinders
✅ Weighting for sidemount
✅ Trim, balance and stability
✅ Buoyancy control
✅ Propulsion techniques
✅ Regulator switching and gas management
✅ Emergency drills
✅ How to choose a good sidemount instructor
✅ Continuing your development after training

Most divers think sidemount is about equipment.

The reality is that the magic happens in the water.

We’ll explore what I call “relaxed static stability” — the ability to become completely comfortable, balanced and in control underwater. It’s one of the most important skills you can develop and the foundation for everything that follows.

A huge thank you to all of our patrons. Your support makes the production of Speaking Sidemount possible.

🎥 Early access is available now on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/speakingsidemount

Cheers
Steve

Get more from Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis on Patreon. creating Podcast . Support Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis and get exclusive access to their work.

27/04/2026

Episode 119 is out, and I am not sure I should have ever shared this...

I got stuck inside a wreck I knew better than anyone.

Not jammed… not pinned… just unable to move.

My buddy was two metres away - and had no idea.

Episode 119, brought to you by XDEEP, is a breakdown of my own close call on HMNZS Canterbury. Not a dramatic rescue story… but something far more common:
👉 complacency
👉 familiarity
👉 and a series of small decisions stacking up

Even after years of experience and knowing the wreck inside out, I still got it wrong.

If you dive wrecks, caves, or any overhead environment, this one matters.

🎥🎧 To watch or listen, follow the links below:
YouTube - https://youtu.be/3dIsTKzwx2Q?si=xJsF-ZUViFArdcgl
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6dv9Q1wMl7HBNuaZZgqX1g?si=bf201c67c6404085
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/stuck-in-a-wreck-the-moment-everything-went-wrong/id1430566498?i=1000763704875

Dive safe, Steve.

1 like. "Stuck in a Wreck | The Moment Everything Went Wrong"

20/04/2026

I got stuck inside a wreck I knew better than anyone.

Not jammed… not pinned… just unable to move.

My buddy was two metres away - and had no idea.

Episode 119, brought to you by XDEEP, is a breakdown of my own close call on HMNZS Canterbury. Not a dramatic rescue story… but something far more common:

👉 complacency
👉 familiarity
👉 and a series of small decisions stacking up

Even after years of experience—and knowing the wreck inside out, I still got it wrong.

If you dive wrecks, caves, or any overhead environment, this one matters.

Episode 119 - Now available on early release for patron supporters of the podcast.

🎥🎧 To watch or listen, follow the link below

Dive safe.

Get more from Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis on Patreon

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Website

http://www.sidemountpros.com/

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