What does it really take to become an exceptional technical diver? In episode 123 of Speaking Sidemount brought to you by XDEEP, I sit down with my long-time mentor and friend Tom Steiner, founder of Gozo Technical Diving, to explore the philosophy that has shaped thousands of technical divers over nearly four decades.

I first trained with Tom in Gozo, Malta, in 2015–16, completing my Technical Sidemount Instructor, Normoxic Trimix, Full Cave, Advanced Gas Blender and Open Water Instructor qualifications before working for him as an instructor. Many of the standards I teach today were forged during that time.

With more than 17,000 dives and thousands of students trained, Tom shares why experience always outweighs certifications, how attitude determines success, why technical diving isn't necessarily about going deeper, and the lessons he's learned from a lifetime spent underwater.

We also discuss:

• Why chasing certifications can make you a worse diver

• What separates good divers from exceptional divers

• Building judgment and experience

• Teamwork and attitude in technical diving

• Sidemount vs twinset

• The evolution of technical diving

• Gozo Technical Diving today

• Greenland expedition diving and iceberg exploration

• How to choose the right instructor

• Instructor development and teaching philosophy

• The future of technical diving

Whether you're a recreational diver looking to progress, an experienced technical diver, or an instructor wanting to improve your teaching, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom from one of diving's most respected educators.

Thanks to our Sponsor, XDEEP - https://www.xdeep.eu

Follow Tom Steiner & Gozo Technical Diving - www.gozotechnicaldiving.com

Tom's Video Training Series - www.tomsteiner.pro

Tom's Recommended Reading:

The Checklist Manifesto – Atul Gawande

The Art of Learning – Josh Waitzkin

Deep Survivor – Laurence Gonzalez

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

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A huge thank you to our episode sponsor XDEEP for their continued support of technical diving education, and to the incredible Patrons of Speaking Sidemount who make these conversations possible.

Does experience really make you an expert diver?Most divers believe that more dives automatically lead to greater expertise. In this episode of Speaking Sidemount, technical diver, instructor and founder of The Thinking Diver, Christof Müller, challenges that assumption.Steve and Christof explore what separates experienced divers from expert divers, discussing deliberate practice, human performance, decision-making under stress, standard operating procedures, the Dunning-Kruger effect, and why buying more equipment will never replace the development of exceptional diving skills.Whether you're a recreational diver, technical diver, sidemount diver or cave diver, this conversation is packed with insights that will change the way you think about training, preparation and becoming a better diver.In this episode:- Why experience doesn't always equal expertise- The biggest mistakes divers make when developing their skills- Deliberate practice vs simply logging more dives- Why good Standard Operating Procedures matter- Human factors and decision making underwater- The Dunning-Kruger effect in diving- Building capacity under stress- Why fundamentals never stop mattering- Equipment vs skill development- What separates good divers from great diversAbout Christof Müller:Christof Müller is a highly respected GUE technical diving instructor, sidemount instructor, cave diver and the founder of The Thinking Diver. His philosophy centres on developing thoughtful, capable divers through deliberate practice, critical thinking and mastery of the fundamentals rather than relying on equipment or accumulated dive numbers alone.Thanks:❤️ XDEEP proudly supports this episode. A huge thank you to XDEEP for supporting Speaking Sidemount and for their continued commitment to innovation in sidemount and technical diving❤️ Thanks to the patrons of Speaking Sidemount, whose support makes this content possible. Become a Patron and get early access to every episode:https://www.patreon.com/speakingsidemountConnect With Steve:🌐 https://www.sidemountpros.com🎙️ Speaking Sidemount Podcast on Spotify & Apple Podcasts📸 Instagram: @nzstevedSubscribe:If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about sidemount diving, technical diving, cave diving, wreck diving, exploration and becoming a better diver:👍 Like this video💬 Leave a comment with your thoughts🔔 Subscribe to Speaking Sidemount for future episodesResources Mentioned: 📘 Sidemount Fundamentals eBook 🌐 Sidemount Pros: https://www.sidemountpros.com/storeChapters:00:00 Episode Introduction05:24 The Thinking Diver Philosophy07:11 Experience vs. Expertise in Diving10:32 Benefits of Structured Training15:50 Skill Development Over Equipment Dependence19:39 Instructor Challenges and Student Learning26:36 Biggest Mistakes Instructors Make28:37 Understanding the Dunning-Kruger Effect in Diving36:05 Training Under Stress: Real-World Applications44:38 Maintaining Skills: The Importance of Practice45:55 Pre-Dive Rituals: Setting the Stage for Success57:30 Learning from Sports: Applying Pressure in Training01:01:11 Diving in New Zealand: Ocean vs. Cave Diving01:04:34 Training Environments: Lakes vs. Pools01:08:05 The Importance of Challenging Training01:11:20 Measuring Diver Progress Beyond Certifications01:12:40 The Qualities of a Good Dive Buddy01:20:43 The Role of Feedback in Diver Development01:23:35 Reflections on Progress and Future Diving Adventures

You’ve bought the harness. You’ve set up the cylinders. Now comes the part that actually makes you a sidemount diver.In Part 2 of the Sidemount 101 series, brought to you by XDEEP, Steve Davis takes you from equipment setup into the water, covering the skills that transform sidemount from a configuration into a diving system. We’ll explore entries and exits, cylinder donning and doffing, weighting, trim, buoyancy control, propulsion techniques, regulator management, emergency drills, and the path to becoming a relaxed, stable and efficient sidemount diver. If you’ve ever wondered why experienced sidemount divers look so comfortable and effortless underwater, this episode explains the principles and practice behind it. From achieving “relaxed static stability” to refining frog kicks, back kicks and buoyancy control, this is the roadmap to comfort, confidence and control in sidemount diving. In This Episode:✅ Sidemount entries and exits✅ Donning and doffing cylinders✅ Technical diving posture✅ Proper sidemount weighting✅ Trim, balance and stability✅ Buoyancy control techniques✅ Frog kick, helicopter turns and back kick fundamentals✅ Regulator switching and gas management✅ Essential emergency drills✅ How to choose a quality sidemount instructor✅ Continuing your development after training Resources Mentioned:📘 Sidemount Fundamentals eBook🌐 Sidemount Pros: https://www.sidemountpros.com/store📘 Steve Martin Sidemount Training Materials🌐 https://www.sidemounting.comFirst-time purchasers contact me for 15% Discount Code🎥 Sidemount Secrets Series🌐 https://www.youtube.com/@SidemountPros🎥 Propulsion Techniques Video🌐 https://youtu.be/tNOVh0j5ABs📸 Darkside Divers Frog Kick Demonstration🌐 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMGHUkBx_jD/Thanks To Our Sponsors:❤️ This episode is proudly supported by XDEEP and the patrons of Speaking Sidemount, whose support makes this content possible.Support The Podcast:❤️ Become a Patron and get early access to every episode:https://www.patreon.com/speakingsidemountConnect With Steve🌐 https://www.sidemountpros.com📸 Instagram: @nzsteved