Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis

27/12/2024

From the Speaking Sidemount podcast Episode 103, Hollie shares on the importance of protecting shipwrecks.

26/12/2024

Hey compliments of the season to you all... thanks so much for your support in 2024!!!

Episode 103 is live... brought to you by XDEEP, Insta360, and the patrons of Speaking Sidemount.

In this episode, I met Hollie Gallacher-Teggatt, a sidemount diving instructor based in Malta. We get an insight into Hollie's studies in Maritime Archaeology and how she melds this with wreck diving. We learn how she developed a love of sidemount diving and how this has supported her growth in diving towards training and diving CCR. Holly shares on the importance of preserving shipwrecks and how she is working to protect the X127 wreck in Malta. We of course talk heaps on Malta, sidemount diving and what it takes to improve..

Enjoy 🙂

Huge thanks to XDEEP, Insta360, and our patrons of the show who support our production via patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/speakingsidemount

To watch and listen:
Sidemount Pros YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/cHOgWYrSbHg?si=vftk2lb5wJ7bjZGA

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/4s64HIEMipVUKGdANoOLnx?si=bWIhUw7ZTUWLc6iiZMT5bQ

Apple Podcasts (Audio Only) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e103-hollie-gallacher-teggart-maritime-archaeology/id1430566498?i=1000681774331

Or on the Sidemount Pros website (Video & Audio) https://www.sidemountpros.com/speakingsidemountpodcast

20/12/2024

Episode 103 with Hollie Gallacher-Teggart or is up on early release for patron supporters of the podcast.

Hollie hails from Ireland but is based between Malta and Southampton, where she is studying for a Master's Degree in maritime archaeology. We discuss Maltese wreck diving and its connection with Hollie's maritime archaeology studies. As Hollie is a Tech Sidemount Instructor (of course), I pick her brain on all things sidemount diving.

Click the link below to check it out and for early access.

Get more from Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis on Patreon

27/11/2024

Episode 102 is live!!! This episode brought to you by XDEEP and the patrons of Speaking Sidemount explores the amazing story of Joseph Bicanic's decompression sickness (Bends) incident while cave diving at Boesmansgat or Bushman's Hole in South Africa.

Joseph joined Richard "Harry" Harris and Craig Challen's "Dark Side of the Moon" expedition. While working on mapping the cave and also achieving a personal depth record of 210m, Joseph was "bent" and subsequently had to medevac to Johannesburg for hyperbaric treatment.

You can listen or watch to learn about the expedition the amazing work they did, build-up dives, and the deep dives where Joseph and Harry were bent.

Enjoy :)

Huge thanks to XDEEP and our patrons of the show who support our production via patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/speakingsidemount

To watch and listen:
You can watch the video episode via the Sidemount Pros YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/I13pZh_lqj4?si=DRaMB9dYWk-K2Qv4

You can also watch the video episode or listen to the audio version via Spotify https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/eltfs8qbSOb

Apple Podcasts (Audio Only) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e102-joseph-bicanic-bent-out-of-shape-at-boesmansgat/id1430566498?i=1000678291375

Or on the Sidemount Pros website (Video & Audio) https://www.sidemountpros.com/speakingsidemountpodcast

This is the amazing story of Joseph Bicanic's decompression sickness (Bends) incident while cave diving at Boesmansgat or Bushman's Hole in South Africa. Jos...

21/11/2024

Episode 102 is out on early release for patron supporters of Speaking Sidemount. Joseph Bicanic recounts his amazing story of joining Craig and Harry's expedition to Boesmansgat or Bushmans Hole, the scene of epic record attempts by Sheck Exley and Nuno Gomes plus the tragic fatality of Dave Shaw. Joseph shares the mapping work they undertook, the lead-up dives, and his 210m dive from which he was subsequently bent. He recounts in detail the ascent and the stunning story of his medivac, hyperbaric treatment, and recovery. Check it out via the link below.

Get more from Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis on Patreon

13/11/2024

Episode 102 Joseph Bicanic - Bent Out of Shape at Boesmansgat, is scheduled for a "Live Drop" on Patreon Nov 20th.

It's an epic story of Joseph's amazing experience as part of the "Dark Side of the Moon" expedition with Richard "Harry" Harris, Craig Challen et al hosted by Don and Andre Shirley. Joseph with Dave Berry completed a first mapping of the lines to 100m in Boesmansgat, before his 210m dive to support Harry and Craig as they sought to dive the deeper sections to over 270m using a diluent containing hydrogen.

Unfortunately both Joseph and Harry had serious decompression sickness episodes during their ascents which required medi-vac and hyperbaric chamber treatment. Thankfully both are recovering well and in this episode Joseph shares his story of the expedition and the DCS incident... Enjoy.

Please share and comment :)

Get more from Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis on Patreon

26/10/2024

It's up! Episode 101 with Gus Gonzalez of DIVE TALK is live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Huge thanks to Gus for his time and to XDEEP, our show sponsor, and Seacraft, our episode sponsor, for their support of the show.

Not forgetting our patrons of the show who support our production via patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/speakingsidemount

To watch and listen:
You can watch the video episode via the Sidemount Pros YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/gCU70yXts3U?si=ySLRPqz8pk3rgqYQ

You can also watch the video episode or listen to the audio version via Spotify https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/ExDO258xZNb

Apple Podcasts (Audio Only) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e101-gus-gonzalez-dive-talk/id1430566498?i=1000674552273

Or on the Sidemount Pros website (Video & Audio) https://www.sidemountpros.com/speakingsidemountpodcast

This was a fun episode to produce. Gus is a great guy with interesting perspectives on diving and dive media, through the success of DIVE TALK.

We cover how Gus got started in diving, how he and Woody met, the birth of Dive Talk, the secrets behind Dive Talk's success, and their new initiatives including the Dive Talk GO rebreather and Dive Talk Academy plus we get into the Dive Talk Meetups.

It's great to bring you Episode 101 with Gus Gonzalez, half of the dynamic duo behind the YouTube phenomenon, "Dive Talk". Massive thanks to our podcast spon...

19/10/2024

This was a fun episode to produce. Gus is a great guy with interesting perspectives on diving and dive media, through the success of DIVE TALK.

We cover how Gus got started in diving, how he and Woody met, the birth of Dive Talk, the secrets behind Dive Talk's success, and their new initiatives including the Dive Talk GO rebreather and Dive Talk Academy plus we get into the Dive Talk Meetups.

Episode 101 is up on early release for patron supporters of the podcast, follow the link below.

Big thanks also to our sponsors XDEEP and Seacraft.

Also to Gus for sharing with us :).

Get more from Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis on Patreon

29/09/2024

Wow, episode #100!! It's hard to believe we have got this far... a lot of blood, sweat, and tears as the saying goes. Thanks everyone for the support :)!

We would not have made it here without our amazing guests who shared their time with us... Thank you all. And, this could not have happened without the support of XDEEP. They've been with me since the beginning and I am so grateful for the support of such a great brand in diving. Not only do they produce brilliant equipment but their support of this podcast shows their commitment to diver education and improvement.

Other sponsors have supported me... our episode sponsor Seacraft, Shearwater Research, SEAL Drysuits, Fourth Element, and our newest sponsor Insta360.

You can watch the video episode #100 via the Sidemount Pros YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/8rraQEw0H88?si=_mN4jj0OukAl8d_d

You can also watch the video episode or listen to the audio version via Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sidemountpros/episodes/E100-Josh-Richards---Mt-Gambier-Cave-Discoveries-e2os99s

Apple Podcasts (Audio Only) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speaking-sidemount/id1430566498

Or on the Sidemount Pros website (Video & Audio) https://www.sidemountpros.com/speakingsidemountpodcast

In this episode, sponsored by XDEEP and Seacraft, I catch up with one of the most interesting people I know... Josh Richards.

Josh and I have known each other for five years and have knocked out some terrific dives together in some of the premier caves of Mount Gambier, South Australia... an area known as the "Limestone Coast".

Josh and I delve into his fascinating journey from military service to stand-up comedy, to being in line for a one-way trip to Mars, and ultimately to becoming a prominent figure in Australian cave diving exploration. We discuss the intricacies of diving, the importance of teamwork, and the skills necessary for technical diving, particularly sidemount diving. Josh shares his experiences in discovering new cave systems in the Mount Gambier region and the dynamics of his team, the Soggy Wombats. Josh's stories emphasise the collaborative spirit of exploration and the joy of sharing discoveries with the diving community.

Enjoy :)
Steve

Become a patron and support the show - https://www.patreon.com/speakingsidemount

Thanks to:
Show Sponsor - XDEEP https://www.xdeep.eu/
Episode Sponsor - Seacraft https://seacraft.eu/
Image Credit - Will Passos

Our Guest - Joh Richards
https://www.facebook.com/soggywombats
https://www.instagram.com/soggywombats
https://www.youtube.com/

Hey, it's great to bring you... Episode #100!!! Six years, a lot of blood sweat, and tears as the saying goes but a huge amount of learning, growth, and fun....

22/09/2024

Hey, it's great to do it on Patreon first... Episode #100!!! Six years, a lot of blood sweat, and tears as the saying goes but a huge amount of learning, growth, and fun... I've loved every moment.

I want to acknowledge the support of XDEEP who had the vision to join us early as the show sponsor and have been with us every step of the way. I am incredibly grateful to Piotr, Patrick, Bart, Magda, Barbara, and the wider XDEEP team for their support.

The 100th episode is currently on early release for patrons who support the podcast.

In episode #100, sponsored by XDEEP and Seacraft, I catch up with one of the most interesting people I know... Josh Richards. Josh and I have known each other for five years and have knocked out some terrific dives together in some of the premier caves of Mount Gambier, South Australia... an area known as the "Limestone Coast".

Josh and I delve into his fascinating journey from military service to stand-up comedy, to being in line for a one-way trip to Mars, and ultimately to becoming a prominent figure in Australian cave diving exploration. We discuss the intricacies of diving, the importance of teamwork, and the skills necessary for technical diving, particularly sidemount diving. Josh shares his experiences in discovering new cave systems in the Mount Gambier region and the dynamics of his team, the Soggy Wombats. Josh's stories emphasise the collaborative spirit of exploration and the joy of sharing discoveries with the diving community.

Enjoy :) Steve

Image Credit - Will Passos

Get more from Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis on Patreon

29/08/2024

Great to release episode #99 Stefan Panis - Wrecks of Dover Straits brought to you with the support of our awesome podcast sponsor XDEEP.

Thanks also to our episode and "Sidemount Secrets" segment sponsor - Seacraft.

You can watch the video episode #99 via the Sidemount Pros YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/C_Mw6FfTLvs?si=JY8OnRUTYoDaXvXO

You can also watch the video episode or listen to the audio version via Spotify or your favourite podcast channel. https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sidemountpros/episodes/E099-Stefan-Panis---Shipwrecks-of-the-Dover-Straits-e2ni2bq

In this episode, Stef and I get into his exploration of the Wrecks of Dover Straits and the book he wrote detailing these wrecks and his exploits diving them. We talk Belgian Tech diving, mine diving, we share our thoughts and love of the Seacraft GO DPV, and close chatting about Stef's dive show, Dive Expo Belgium next held 7&8 Dec 2024.

Enjoy :)
Steve

Become a patron and support the show - https://www.patreon.com/speakingsidemount

Thanks to:
Show Sponsor - XDEEP https://www.xdeep.eu/
Episode Sponsor - Seacraft https://seacraft.eu/
Our Guest - Stefan Panis
https://www.stefpanisphotography.com
https://www.mine-exploration-team.com
https://dive-expo.be

Get the Book - "Shipwrecks of Dover Straits" on Amazon or via Whittles Publishing - https://www.whittlespublishing.com/Shipwrecks_of_the_Dover_Straits

Hey great to bring you Episode #99, thanks for your support and thanks also to XDEEP for sponsoring the show.This episode features our latest Sidemount Divin...

20/08/2024

Episode #99 is exclusively on early release for our supporters via Patreon. Stef Panis and I talk the Shipwrecks of Dover Straits, Belgian tech diving, mine diving, and share our experiences using the Seacraft GO DPV.

Big thanks to our show sponsor XDEEP and to Seacraft for supporting the "Sidemount Secrets" segment. Click below to watch or listen :)

Get more from Speaking Sidemount with Steve Davis on Patreon

03/08/2024

02/08/2024

29/07/2024

Great to bring you Episode #98 Por Parasu Komaradat - "Thai Sidemount Diving". with the support of XDEEP and the patrons of Speaking Sidemount. Huge thanks to both for their support of this podcast.

To watch - https://youtu.be/Kbtyp_cUJP4?si=9LE4b5p45E0J474U

To listen, click below or search for "Speaking Sidemount" on your favourite podcast channel. - https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/83pTIYKCKLb

In this episode, I introduce a new segment 'Sidemount Diving Secrets' where I'll share some inside tips and tricks that I've picked up over the 11 years now that I've been diving sidemount around the world. Inside the episode, I'll give an overview of the tip, and given we are producing both video and audio episodes, I'll point you back to the Sidemount Pros YouTube channel for the detailed video of each "Sidemount Secret". Let me know what you think and also drop me a note back if you have a tip you'd like to share, or have an aspect of sidemount diving you'd like me to explore.

To get us started, this month's Sidemount Diving Secret is regarding the routing of your drysuit inflator hose and is brought to you by Sidemount Pros and is featuring my eBook, "Sidemount Diving Fundamentals" which is available complimentary for Gold patrons and for purchase/download via Patreon or the store on my website at ⁠www.sidemountpros.com/store.⁠ You can check out the Sidemount Secret video here - https://youtu.be/ULsVEKstzOY?si=iGCxgKOA8I1R7eiv.

In this episode, I catch up with Por Parasu Komaradat. Por hails from and is based in Thailand an absolute global mecca for all things diving, from beautiful reefs, to wreck diving. As we'll hear, a heap of caves and mines are being explored and opened up to suitably qualified and experienced divers.

Por shares his background in mathematics and software engineering before transitioning to full-time diving. How he learned sidemount diving from Lamar Hires and went on to also train in Mexico. Por has been working as a technical diving instructor for 16 years.
I share my own experience transitioning from software engineering to diving. We discuss the similarities between the two fields and the importance of having mentors in diving.
Por also talks about the caves and mines in Thailand and the challenges and differences of diving in each. Por also shares his perspectives on the Mine Diving cross-over course and how important it is to understand how mining is conducted and how mines are created in safely conducting mine dives.
Por shares his active projects, including exploring caves in Sulawesi and caves and mines in Thailand. He emphasizes the importance of teaching and building dive communities in the region.

Enjoy Steve.

Thanks to:
Our Guest - Por Parasu Komaradat https://www.facebook.com/PORDIVE
Our Sponsor - XDEEP

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It's great to bring you Episode #98 with the support of our sponsor XDEEP and the patrons of Speaking Sidemount. Huge thanks to both for their support. In this episode, I introduce a new segment 'Sidemount Diving Secrets' where I'll share some inside tips and tricks that I've picked up over the 11 y...