Deep Primer

DEEP PRIMER

(TRIOX PRIMER)

WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?

One of the most neglected risks in scuba diving is hypercapnia (excessive production and accumulation of CO2) that can lead to narcosis and discomfort, especially when diving deeper and in challenging and strenuous conditions.

GUE’s Deep Primer course can be done using nitrox 32 or triox 30/30 and teaches diver how the choice of breathing gas will affect you at depth, how to plan deeper dives, and how to ascend and descend while maintaining control.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Diving in more challenging conditions—be it deeper, more complex dives on a project or executing a strenuous or complicated task—calls for high mental capacity for all team members.

All divers ambitious for project diving or challenging themselves with dives in demanding conditions should consider using a helium-based breathing mix to make their dives safer and more comfortable. The Deep Primer course is also a great way to prepare for deeper dive training by introducing and practicing ascent protocols.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

Course outcomes include, but are not limited to: skill cultivation and refinement, familiarity with the theory and practice of decompression, correct ascent procedures and practice, the use of helium to minimize narcosis, CO2, gas density, and post-dive “nitrogen stress”.

prerequisites and duration

Applicants for a GUE Deep Primer 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.
Have passed the GUE Open Water Diver (Rec 1) course, GUE Performance Diver, or a GUE Fundamentals course.
Have completed at least 15 non-training dives since passing one of the prerequisite courses above.
For a full list of course prerequisites, click here.

The Deep Primer course is normally conducted over two days. It requires a minimum of four dives and at least 12 hours of instruction, encompassing classroom lectures, land drills, and in-water work.

This course can be conducted as part of a GUE Fundamentals or a GUE Cave Diver Level 1 course.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

RESCUE PRIMER

Scuba diving is a safe outdoor activity with low accident rates, but as with all activities, participants should be prepared to handle emergencies and perform rescues to assist team members. The awareness of your ability to help will increase your confidence and make your dives safer and more enjoyable.

GUE’s Rescue Primer is a course designed to teach divers basic rescue techniques relevant to scuba diving emergencies.

NAVIGATION PRIMER

Extending experience is a natural progression with enthusiastic divers, and for GUE trained diving teams, environmental awareness is one of the most important aspects of their capabilities. Knowing where you are and how to navigate underwater will increase your comfort and confidence to perform safe dives with your team.

GUE’s Navigation Primer is a course designed to teach divers the basics of underwater compass use and natural navigation techniques.