Speaking Sidemount

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 writing a dive guide for it, I made a series of small decisions that led to an entanglement in a confined space — just metres from my buddy, who had no idea I was in trouble.
This episode is not about a dramatic rescue — it’s about how complacency, narcosis, configuration, and team separation can quietly stack up and put even experienced divers at risk.
If you dive sidemount, wrecks, caves, or any overhead environment, this is a must-listen.
🔑 What you’ll learn:
How experienced divers get into trouble.

The real risk of complacency in familiar environments,

How narcosis subtly influences decision-making

Why configuration matters in wreck penetration

The importance of team positioning and discipline

How to slow down and make better decisions underwater

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💥 Powered by XDEEP → www.xdeep.eu
📘 Purchase "The Canterbury Wreck - A Diver's Guide"
New Zealand → www.sidemountpros.com/store
Rest of World → https://a.co/d/0iduWFAh
📘 Grab Steve's "Sidemount Fundamentals" eBook → www.sidemountpros.com/store

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 3 Deck penetration dive inside the wreck of HMS Scylla. Steve examines the dive from the perspective of: • A wreck diving instructor• A technical sidemount, CCR Cave and Full Cave, and advanced wreck diver • A former Royal New Zealand Naval Officer and Marine Engineer Officer of HMNZS Canterbury, a Leander-class frigate of the same generation as HMS Scylla.• Author of the book "The Canterbury Wreck – A Diver’s Guide" Drawing on his years of experience serving aboard Leander-class frigates, his training and wreck diving experience, plus hundreds of dives on the Canterbury wreck, Steve discusses how the layout of a warship influences wreck-diving navigation and why advanced wreck protocols are critical when penetrating deep into wrecks. Topics discussed include: • The difference between recreational and "Advanced Wreck" diving• Why shipwrecks become labyrinths underwater• Advanced wreck diving planning• The importance of progressive penetration• Guideline use and its limitations• Other methods of wreck diving navigation, such as strobes and the “lines of the wreck”• The human factors that contribute to wreck diving accidents• What to do if you become lost inside a warship.This episode is not about criticism. It’s about learning and helping divers better understand the risks of overhead environments. 👍 Like this episode? 👉 Hit Like, Subscribe, and Share — it really helps grow the show and support future content. 💥 Powered by XDEEP www.xdeep.eu🙌 Huge thanks to Dom Robinson - "The Deep Wreck Diver" https://www.youtube.com/@UC1pUSPlTx_DGIMJNlAXYVqg 🙌 And to Adam Dent for sharing his story📘 Purchase "The Canterbury Wreck - A Diver's Guide" → https://a.co/d/0iduWFAh 📘 Grab Steve's "Sidemount Fundamentals" eBook → www.sidemountpros.com/store 🙌 Support the show → www.patreon.com/speakingsidemount

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 the project, showcasing the incredible drive and ambition of the entire KISS rebreathers team that has brought us to this point.
Huge thanks to Patrick Widmann, KISS Training Director, for sharing some time from his busy schedule.
Host Bio:
Steve Davis is a passionate sidemount instructor, technical diver, and the voice behind Speaking Sidemount. With extensive experience in sidemount and overhead environments, Steve brings deep insight and curiosity to every conversation.
 
🎥 Sidemount Pros YouTube Channel  https://www.youtube.com/@sidemountpros
📘 Sidemount Fundamentals eBook: https://www.sidemountpros.com/store
🤿 Train with Steve: https://www.sidemountpros.com/courses
💛 Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/speakingsidemount
📸 Follow Steve on Instagram: @nzsteved
🛠️ Thanks to our sponsor XDEEP - https://www.xdeep.eu and to our guest, Patrick Widmann

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 preparation before entering overhead environments, and how his passion evolved into Darkside Divers, a thriving training operation built with purpose alongside his wife, Laura. This is a must-listen for any diver curious about the path to becoming a top-tier cave instructor—and why “just meeting agency standards” isn’t enough.Guest BioGustavo “Tavo” Padilla-Pohjanen is a cave and technical diving instructor, co-founder of Darkside Divers in Tulum, Mexico. With roots in recreational diving and a deep commitment to progressive, foundational training, Tavo has worked with legendary instructors like Patrick Widmann, Fred Devos, and John Kieren.Host BioSteve Davis is a passionate sidemount instructor, technical diver, and the voice behind Speaking Sidemount. With extensive experience in sidemount and overhead environments, Steve brings deep insight and curiosity to every conversation.🎥 Watch full episodes & bonus clips: https://www.youtube.com/@sidemountpros@sidemountpros 🎧 Listen to the Podcast - Spotify | Apple | Google — search Speaking Sidemount Podcast📘 Sidemount books: https://www.sidemountpros.com/store🤿 Train with Steve: https://www.sidemountpros.com/courses💛 Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/speakingsidemount📸 Follow Steve on Instagram: @nzsteved🛠️ Thanks to our sponsor XDEEP - https://www.xdeep.eu and to Tavo PCDarkside DiversFacebook: @darksidediversmxInstagram: @darksidediversEmail: [email protected] Earth – Mick Friis’s video with Tavo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxp5on6jnHY

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 disciplined approach to diving and teaching.In this conversation, we explore:
What it’s like to grow up diving in Dahab
Why Dahab remains a global hub for technical diving
Omar’s transition from open-circuit sidemount to CCR
Why the KISS Sidewinder became his rebreather of choice
Training and mentorship under Jacek Konikowski and Patrick Widmann
Safety culture, humility, and mindset in high-level technical diving
This episode is a deep and thoughtful discussion about the environment, equipment, training philosophy, and what truly matters as a technical diver — and a fitting way to close out a fantastic year for Speaking Sidemount.🎥 Watch full episodes & bonus clips: https://www.youtube.com/@sidemountpros 🎧 Listen to the Podcast - Spotify | Apple | Google — search Speaking Sidemount Podcast📘 Sidemount books: https://www.sidemountpros.com/store🤿 Train with Steve: https://www.sidemountpros.com/courses💛 Support the show: https://www.Patreon.com/SpeakingSidemount📸 Follow Steve on Instagram: @nzsteved🛠️ Thanks to our sponsor XDEEP - https://www.xdeep.eu and to Omar Derbala https://www.instagram.com/omar_derbalaa/