GUE Fundamentals

GUE FUNDAMENTALS

WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?

The GUE Fundamentals course is by far GUE’s most popular program. It functions as a gateway into GUE training and it is an excellent way to personally experience what GUE is all about.

Some divers use the Fundamentals course as a way to improve on the less-than-optimal training they have received during traditional fast-track entry-level courses. Others see the course as a ticket to participate in GUE projects and activities. Many technical divers and even experienced instructors from other organizations use the course to improve basic skills and gain access to GUE’s cave and tech-training. It is not uncommon to have divers with very diverse backgrounds in the same class, which makes this course completely unique in the diving industry. Everybody will benefit, regardless of their current level of certification or experience. Graduating this course with a pass is something to be proud of, as the quality of a GUE Fundamentals diver is recognized all over the diving world.

For many non-GUE divers, the Fundamentals course is an “aha!” moment where everything falls into place. The standardized equipment configuration and standardized procedures are only a small part of the big picture. Realizing how a team-oriented approach can free up resources and increase situational awareness that can be used to maximize safety, efficiency, and fun is often a life-changing moment for Fundamentals students, and they walk away from the course with a completely new approach to diving.

Historically, the Fundamentals course was created to make sure that divers who showed up for more advanced training in GUE’s cave and tech courses were not struggling with basic diving skills. A solid diving platform is based on balance, trim, buoyancy and propulsion techniques. It is pointless to begin more advanced training before mastering these basic aspects of diving. It will only lead to over task loading, stress, and poorly-learned skills. Divers who struggle with personal skills will not be able to contribute to the team, nor will they have the required level of situational awareness needed in cave or tech training.

WHO IS IT FOR?

The GUE Fundamentals course provides all divers with an opportunity to advance basic diving skills. It provides the non-GUE trained divers (divers who are already certified with another recognized diving agency) with a gateway into GUE training.

It is a prerequisite for all GUE courses (apart from entry-level courses, Drysuit and Doubles primers).

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

Course outcomes include, but are not limited to: GUE equipment configuration and use, trim and buoyancy, propulsion techniques including backwards kick, valve management (the course can be done using a single tank or with a double tank configuration), gas sharing, and SMB deployment.

This course will supplement training that divers may have already received and will give them more confidence in their basic skills even if they do not desire to go on for more advanced training. The course also includes the theory and use of nitrox.

Applicants for a GUE Fundamentals program must:

  • Be a minimum of 16 years of age.
  • Be physically and mentally fit.
  • Be a non-smoker.
  • Be able to swim.
  • Obtain a physician’s prior written authorization for use of prescription drugs, except for birth control, or for any medical condition that may pose a risk while diving.
  • Be certified, at a minimum, as an autonomous entry-level scuba diver (or equivalent) from a recognized training agency.
  • For a full list of course prerequisites, click here.
The Fundamentals course is normally conducted over four days; it requires at least six dives and at least 30 hours of instruction and encompasses classroom time, land drills, and in-water work 

Diving DIR with GUE standards has made me feel that I have never really dived or enjoyed a dive before. Everything became simpler and easier, even though it took me a while to get a good grasp of things. Although I have a very long way to go, I am up for it and for the challenges ahead and wouldn’t have it any other way now. I have been speaking to GUE instructors all over, and the lengths that each and everyone of them is willing to go just to help someone they don’t know is AMAZING!!! That truly is what differentiates GUE from any other organization.

Ahmad A., Fundamentals

GUE changed my whole philosophy of diving. I went from someone who thought I was a great diver, but maybe a little extra skill wouldn't hurt me, to being someone who's taking Tech 1, and might go much farther. Post-class, the instructors are all available all the time, for all kinds of silly questions -- they're really living the ideal of helping us become better divers, all the time. The local GUE community is an amazing group of people; it's an honor to dive with this crowd of dedicated and passionate folks.

Dan M., Fundamentals

I have been diving for about 6 years, including several years of being Divemaster, but I felt I have some gaps in my training looking at cave and tech divers. The focus on basic skills every GUE diver must master changed my dives dramatically for the better. It uncovered gaps in my knowledge and showed me what I really need to focus on, and every step I'm able to reach really makes noticeable difference in comfort, effortlessness, and I'm able to enjoy diving even more. Newly developed appreciation for teamwork and new dive friends with a similar approach to diving not only makes it safer, but more enjoyable as well.

Yury V., Fundamentals

I had always wanted to take the fundamentals class with GUE, but was also anxious about the military like style of training, or so I heard from others in the diving community. I found most of what I heard from non GUE divers to be completely false. The class itself completely changed my diving. I improved vastly over the course of the class and managed a recreational pass, which after only 1 year of diving I thought was still an excellent achievement. However, it was after taking these skills I had learned, practicing them out on my dives and putting them to use, that I have really improved and changed my diving the most.

Scott W., Fundamentals

As I abandoned diving 2 years ago, I decided to get back into it with a more comfortable and conscious way to dive. I found in GUE a great instructor and the best procedures to allow me to have fun and enjoy the sea life.

Leo S., Fundamentals

Every aspect of the training was packed with knowledge. My instructor was invested in making all students the best divers they could be. The course gave me skills to refine and goals to hit. The community could not be more supportive.

Ryan C., Fundamentals

Before the course we already knew GUE training methods. The course allowed us to improve our basic skills and safety procedures, even if we were already skilled divers (>1000 dives). The course was fun but quite tough at the same time; of course our way of diving has been positively impacted.

Barbara P., Fundamentals

I found the materials very complete, and even though the course was tough, it really gave me a good opportunity to work on my weaknesses, and I gained new methodologies that were easier to apprehend! The teacher was great, with a good pedagogy, and knowledgeable. A course I will highly recommend for divers seeking improvements!

Nicolas D., Fundamentals

Passing the GUE Fundamentals class opens up many paths for a certified diver. The recreational pass allows you to enroll in GUE advanced recreational classes and primers to enhance your fundamental skills, from ascent control and rescue skills to managing additional dive gear and tasks. More training will increase your experience, confidence, and capacity, which can lead to a technical endorsement (equal to technical pass for Fundamentals) and progression to GUE technical or cave curricula. 

WHAT IF I'M NOT READY TO COMMIT TO A FULL CLASS?

While we're confident the GUE Fundamentals course will benefit divers of all levels, a full 4-5 day course may not be the best fit for everyone's schedule, resources, or even training goals. Because of this, the GUE Fundamentals program is available in a Part 1 and Part 2 split format. In Part 1, divers will learn about the GUE diving system, including gear configuration, dive procedures, and team protocols, as well as refine their buoyancy, trim, and propulsion techniques. This is a 2-day, non-certification course, but successful completion allows the Part 1 diver to proceed to Part 2.

Fundamentals Part 2 can be taken days, weeks, or even months after Part 1, allowing divers to practice and become proficient with the skills and techniques previously learned. Over the course of this 3-day program, divers will continue to refine and advance their foundational skills as well as learn the theory and practice of nitrox diving. The certification outcomes of this course are same as the full Fundamentals course and enable to divers to proceed to advanced recreational, or cave and technical training.

Applicants for a GUE Fundamentals Part 1 program must:

  • Be a minimum of 16 years of age.
  • Be physically and mentally fit.
  • Be a non-smoker.
  • Be able to swim.
  • Obtain a physician’s prior written authorization for use of prescription drugs, except for birth control, or for any medical condition that may pose a risk while diving.
  • Be certified, at a minimum, as an autonomous entry-level scuba diver (or equivalent) from a recognized training agency.
  • For a full list of course prerequisites, click here.
The Fundamentals Part 1 course is normally conducted over two days; it requires at least two dives and at least 14 hours of instruction, encompassing classroom time, land drills, and in-water work 

Applicants for a GUE Fundamentals Part 2 program must:

  • Be a minimum of 16 years of age.
  • Be physically and mentally fit.
  • Be a non-smoker.
  • Be able to swim.
  • Obtain a physician’s prior written authorization for use of prescription drugs, except for birth control, or for any medical condition that may pose a risk while diving.
  • Be a certified GUE Recreational Diver Level 1 diver, or have successfully completed GUE Fundamentals Part 1.
  • For a full list of course prerequisites, click here.
The Fundamentals Part 2 course is normally conducted over three days; it requires at least four dives and at least 20 hours of instruction, encompassing classroom time, land drills, and in-water work 

ADVANCED RECREATIONAL COURSES PATH

There is so much of the underwater world for you to explore. There are thousands of wrecks and reefs hidden at depths that you may not yet be able to reach without further training and experience.

You can add more adventure to your dives and head deeper into the aquatic world by advancing your diving skills with the Recreational advanced courses - Recreational Diver 2 and Recreational Diver 3. 

RECREATIONAL DIVER 2

You can add more adventure to your dives and head deeper into the aquatic world by advancing your diving skills with the GUE Recreational Diver 2 course. This course is structured to prepare divers for deeper recreational diving up to 100 ft/30 m. It teaches divers to navigate underwater and how to help a team member in distress while using efficient diving skills and advanced breathing mixtures, such as triox.

RECREATIONAL DIVER 3

Reach your next diving goals by going to depths that require more skill and advanced breathing mixtures with the GUE Recreational Diver 3 course. This is a limited decompression course structured to teach advanced diving skills, prepare divers for utilizing decompression cylinders and double tanks, and to breathe helium-based breathing mixtures appropriate for deeper recreational diving to 39 m/130 ft.

TAKE THE PATH TO TECHNICAL OR CAVE DIVING

TECHNICAL DIVER LEVEL 1

Recent increased ocean exploration at greater depths has revealed a variety of hidden treasures, including deep pristine reefs, well-preserved wrecks, and valuable historical artifacts. However, venturing deeper bears inherent risks that can be mitigated with proper training, knowledge, teamwork, and gradual experience. The GUE Tech 1 course prepares ambitious divers to begin their path to technical diving safely, with confidence, and with a base of solid skills and knowledge

CAVE DIVER LEVEL 1

The GUE Cave Level 1 course provides an introduction to diving in an overhead environment. The fact that our environment is full of flooded underwater caves hidden from sight makes cave diving exciting and adventurous. This unique environment requires proper training, and the GUE Cave 1 class provides divers with a thorough understanding of the cave environment as well as the potential dangers associated with cave diving.
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