GUE Technical Fundamentals

GUE TECHNICAL FUNDAMENTALS

WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?

The GUE Technical Fundamentals course is designed for more experienced divers to enhance their skills in preparation for entering GUE’s technical, rebreather, or cave programs.

Many divers see the course as a ticket to participate in GUE’s more advanced diving, projects, and activities. Higher entry requirements for the GUE Technical Fundamentals course ensures all students who sign up are working towards obtaining a high level of competency in both their personal and team diving skills.

For many non-GUE divers, the Fundamentals program 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 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 Technical Fundamentals course is aimed at experienced divers seeking GUE technical, rebreather, or cave training.

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 only be done using double tank configuration), gas sharing, backup light deployment, basic rescue introduction, and SMB deployment. The course will include ascent training to prepare you for technical training.

You will receive access to GUE’s online learning platform, which you can utilize before the in-person portion of the course. This online learning system will adapt to you, ensuring it focuses on teaching you what you don't already know. You can learn at your own pace, so all students will reach a level of mastery of the material. Your time with the instructor can then be spent covering the practical elements of diving.

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.

prerequisites and duration

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.
Hold a certification from a recognized training agency to dive to 100 ft/30 m or a GUE Deep Primer certification.
Have conducted at least 75 non-training dives following completion of autonomous scuba diver certification. At least 25 of these must have been at a depth of at least 70 ft/21 m.
Have conducted at least 25 non-training dives in a double tank configuration or have conducted 15 non-training dives utilizing doubles following completion of GUE Doubles Primer certification.
If using a drysuit during the course, have conducted at least 15 non-training dives in a drysuit or have conducted 10 non-training dives utilizing a drysuit following completion of GUE Drysuit Primer certification.
For a full list of course prerequisites, click here.

The GUE Technical Fundamentals course is normally conducted over four days. It requires a minimum of eight dives and at least thirty-two hours of in-person instruction, encompassing land drills and in-water work. Additional time is required for theory (conducted online and/or in-person).

At the instructor’s discretion, GUE Performance Divers and GUE Basic Fundamentals divers may have a portion of their training counted toward GUE Technical Fundamentals qualification.

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 Technical Fundamentals class opens up many paths for a certified diver, especially if it is your gateway GUE course. From here, you can enroll in GUE's advanced recreational classes enhance your fundamental skills, from ascent control and rescue skills to managing additional dive gear and tasks.

And, of course, a GUE Technical Fundamentals certification means that additional non-class diving experience, you will be able to progress into GUE's technical, cave, or CCR courses.

TAKE THE PATH TO TECHNICAL 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.

CCR FUNDAMENTALS

The GUE CCR Fundamentals course is designed to help divers make a smooth transition from open-circuit to closed-circuit diving. The course provides a structured and supportive environment where divers can develop essential skills in rebreather management, maintenance, and operational protocols. Emphasizing safety and confidence, it challenges students to master the key aspects of rebreather diving while ensuring a solid foundation for future technical diving.