ROB NETO – AUTHOR
Rob Neto is known around the world for his expertise as a cave explorer and sidemount diver. In 2015 he released the 1st edition of the Sidemount Diving book, the first almost comprehensive guide to sidemount diving and all that is involved. This edition covered various configurations, sidemount systems, how to choose what works best for you, the skills necessary to learn and sidemount, and much, much more. It included over 120 pages of information including instructions on popular methods and modifications along with photos.
Five years later the long awaited 2nd edition is now available! The 2nd edition delves even deeper into the subject. Authored by Rob Neto, cave diver & explorer, with over 15 years of experience diving sidemount all over the world in various conditions and using different sidemount rigs, this book covers several configurations, sidemount systems, how to choose what works best for you, the skills necessary to learn and dive sidemount, and step by step instructions on how to build your own harness! Almost 300 pages of information including hundreds of photographs, many by the world-renowned photographer, Laurent Miroult.
Ten years after the original Sidemount Diving Guide was released, comes the 3rd edition. Not much changed in the world of sidemount diving since the 2nd edition, so this edition only contains a few additions as well as an updated text and some updated photos. If you own a copy of the 2nd edition, contact us for a PDF of the additions made to the 3rd edition.
Along with the 3rd edition, a book focused on Recreational Sidemount Diving was released in 2025. This book eliminates the technical, decompression, and cave diving information and places the focus on recreational open water diving. The book is 100 pages shorter, but still contains all of the information a recreational sidemount diver needs to know and presents it with recreational scuba diving photos. All of this for about 2/3s of the cost of the original Sidemount Diving Guide!
This book can be used by divers interested in beginning their venture into sidemount as well as the experienced sidemount diver. It’s also a great supplement for instructors to incorporate into their sidemount classes.
Sidemount Diving The Almost Comprehensive Guide has been called “one of the best and most comprehensive books on sidemount diving” by InDepth Magazine.
Leon P. Scamahorn , CEO of InnerSpace Systems Corp and inventor of the Megalodon CCR, said “I scrutinize books before I buy and read them. This author has the experience to write on the subject and writes in an intelligent manner.“
To purchase a copy of Sidemount Diving The Almost Comprehensive Guide in English, Dutch, German, or Spanish or Recreational Sidemount Diving The Not So Comprehensive Guide, please visit
Sidemount Diving Book
Rob has also delved into the world of fiction thrillers, with his first novel, the award-winning Beyond the Grate, was released July 18, 2023! Inspired by the true events surrounding the disappearance of Ben McDaniel, last seen at Vortex Spring in 2010, Beyond the Grate offers one possible explanation. For more information on Beyond the Grate and to order a copy please visit
Beyond the Grate
Rob has released three more thrillers, the award-winning Into the Darkness Beyond, Beyond Hope, and Beyond the End of the Line. These books are sequels to Beyond the Grate, but can also be read as a standalone novels.
Into the Darkness Beyond was inspired by true events surrounding the rescues of several cave divers in the early 2010s. It takes you into the dark world of cave diving. Fraud. Deception. Dishonesty. All of these things happen in this drama filled sequel that’s not much different than the real world of cave diving.
Beyond Hope was inspired by a dive Rob did with a good friend. During that dive, Rob and his friend got separated and Rob spent more than an hour searching for his friend thinking him dead somewhere in the cave. Many emotions and fears took hold of Rob as he thought about having to tell his friend’s mother and fiancee that he had lost his life in a cave and the body was still not located. Rob’s friend did eventually surface from the dive and Rob had an idea for a new book.
Beyond the End of the Line was inspired the exploration efforts of Marius Frei, a Swiss cave diver who visited Florida often to explore the caves. Many of his projects were scooped by other divers. Unlike Joey, Marius didn’t care much. He was just happy to explore.
Rob also released the first book in a new true adventure series, Beneath the Jungle of Cozumel: Connecting the Crowns. In this book, Rob tells the story of his cave explorations in Cozumel and how he connected Dos Coronas to Cueva Quebrada. This is the first in one of the series of books about Rob’s underwater cave explorations.
Rob recently released the first book in a second true adventure series, The Hidden Rivers of Florida: Discoveries. In this book, Rob tells the story of how he came to become a cave diver and move across the country from Arizona to live only ten minutes from some of the most beautiful caves in the world. In the book, Rob also includes the story of how he became interested in sidemount diving and eventually became a world renowned expert in the field.
Please take a moment to also visit Rob’s author website to learn more about Rob and the projects he is currently working on. You can also purchase all of his books from this website.
Rob Neto
THE CUTTER CASE
Chipola Divers was the first distributor for The Cutter Case in the US when it was first released and the first to offer it when it was re-released in 2022!
The Cutter Case was engineered to precisely fit the EezyCut Trilobite line-cutting tool securely, while providing easy access to it.
This case is an innovative, two-piece design that allows deployment or stowage quickly with a single hand. When secured with the included elastic cord, it may be mounted horizontally or vertically to the user’s harness, a computer strap, or any other location the individual desires.
The case is available in black, blue, orange, or pink, and sold individually (case only). Currently, BLACK and ORANGE are available. We should also have BLUE and YELLOW in stock soon. If you would order blue or yellow, please be aware there will be a delay in shipping. If there are enough orders placed we can get other colors in. If you are interested in any other color please send an email to chipoladivers@gmail.com to let us know.
To make a purchase either scan the QR code below or click on the Buy now link. Please note that not all colors are available at this time. Make sure to send and email to chipoladivers@gmail.com to let us know which color(s) you would like in your order.
Free shipping to US locations on all orders of 3 or more Cutter Cases or any Cutter Case purchased with the Sidemount Diving book.
Cutter Case
$25.00
Sidemount Diving Book plus a Cutter Case
$90.00
WHO WE DIVE WITH
If you are planning a trip to Cozumel we highly recommend COZUMEL ABYSS DIVERS. They are a family owned and operated business based whose focus is private guiding as well as SCUBA instruction across various levels, including tec diving. Whether you are a Course Director just looking for a local guide, an Advanced Open Water diver looking to further your knowledge, or even if you have never been diving before and are looking to splash the surface, give them a shout! Their ultimate goal is to provide the highest quality service both above and below water!
If you are planning a trip to dive the caves of Southern France we highly recommend THE CAVE TO BE located in Gramat. Located in the center of Quercy / Lot, the number one cave diving destination in Europe (and the 3rd in the world). In their school you will be able to follow all types of training courses towards this fascinating world … The Cave To Be is the only local all year round open cave diving school and facility in France. Their school is exclusively dedicated to cave diving and that is the main professional activity of their instructors.
We are fortunate to not only have trained the fantastic underwater photographer, Laurent Miroult, how to cave dive, but we have also become close friends. Laurent and Rob have been diving in caves together all over the world – from the caves in Florida and Georgia in the US, to the caves of Cozumel, as well as France, Germany, Norway, and Portugal. Many of the photographs on this website were taken by Laurent Miroult. Please take a few moments to visit his website and enjoy his art.