GUE Fundamentals - Information

Shop Staff   Sep 25, 2020

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.

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 

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.

 

PREREQUISITES AND DURATION 

Applicants for a GUE Fundamentals Part 1 program must:

• Be a minimum of 16 years of age.
• Be physically and mentally fit.
• Be a nonsmoker.
• 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.