Beginners doing GUE fundamentals?

[chrisch]

don't they tie a rope around the diver to compensate for the fact that ice diving doesn't require actual overhead training?

overhead training teaches you how to make back to the surface via the use of a continuous guideline. i still contend the person who you say is a prick was right..

Recreational ice diving uses a tether line both as a guidance to the exit and as a sort of substitute buddy as you can communicate with the tender on the surface. It is a controversial technique amongst people who have had the advanced training needed for caves and other overhead environment. Most recreational divers accept it as they have nothing else to compare it to.

Some venues will not allow the diver(s) to utilise a reel and line or other methodolody and often will not permit ice diving activities unless the diver(s) have a certification from a recreational body like PADI.

There are many variables that come into play when diving under ice. At one end of the spectrum it can be quite "safe" with a short tethered dive in clear water and just a few minutes duration. At the other end it can be hazardous with the ice simply being another problem (wreck diving the great lakes whilst the surface is frozen for example).

If a diver has had cave training and experience they should mostly be able to work out for themselves what is most likley to be the best techniques provided they take into account the local circumstances. Dogmatic adherence to one technique is generally a sign the person is not thinking about the task. An argument about an hypothetical dive suggests to me neither party knows what they are talking about.

 

[DCN]

We are getting nerrrrrvous! Only one week until our course starts, and we do not feel confident at all

The weird thing is, we've dived in lots of different conditions lately, in different countries, from freezing cold water with literally zero visibility to slightly warmer, clear waters, with currents, surges, waves, so we have a lot of varied experience considering our low dive count. But none of the above gives us the same nervous feeling like attending this course. We might be overthinking this...

 

[kierentec]

We are getting nerrrrrvous! Only one week until our course starts, and we do not feel confident at all

The weird thing is, we've dived in lots of different conditions lately, in different countries, from freezing cold water with literally zero visibility to slightly warmer, clear waters, with currents, surges, waves, so we have a lot of varied experience considering our low dive count. But none of the above gives us the same nervous feeling like attending this course. We might be overthinking this...

Just remember the purpose of the course is just to become better divers. Relax and enjoy the process!

 

[Blackcrusader]

Very good point! Our motivation for diving is to get see all the cool marine life, not the training itself. We have zero ambitions of becoming advanced tech divers, cave divers or instructors, but feel that some good basic training is beneficial to our diving.

Yup. I;ve been diving since January 1986. Never wanted to do even the DM course or intructors course.
I did Padi and BSAC sports diving courses. Enough for me.

 

[Antonios (Holy Diver)]

We are getting nerrrrrvous! Only one week until our course starts, and we do not feel confident at all

The weird thing is, we've dived in lots of different conditions lately, in different countries, from freezing cold water with literally zero visibility to slightly warmer, clear waters, with currents, surges, waves, so we have a lot of varied experience considering our low dive count. But none of the above gives us the same nervous feeling like attending this course. We might be overthinking this...

No need to get anxious. Just follow @kierentec 's advice. Don't think about the pass, as every hour underwater and in class is in itself an eye - opener. If I may suggest, as an inexperienced diver who invested a lot of money and time in GUE Fundamentals and eventually completed only part 1, enjoy the ride. I personally acquired many valuable skills and a new dive mentor and friend, regardless of the outcome.

(I succesfully completed part 1, but Nikos, my instructor, suggested that I practice a lot before taking part 2, as it is more demanding. Due to financial and time constraints - it takes me 5 hours' ride to reach the only GUE facility and instructor in Greece - there was no likelihood that I could travel for practice dives. I remarked this to the instructor, sorely dissappointed. He smiled. 'No need to feel sorry' he said. 'I was happy to meet a dedicated diver who invested a lot in his striving to become better. Just come dive with us whenever you can. Who knows? Maybe you will earn that pass someday, earlier than you anticipate..." )

 

[Hungcyon]

We are getting nerrrrrvous! Only one week until our course starts, and we do not feel confident at all

The weird thing is, we've dived in lots of different conditions lately, in different countries, from freezing cold water with literally zero visibility to slightly warmer, clear waters, with currents, surges, waves, so we have a lot of varied experience considering our low dive count. But none of the above gives us the same nervous feeling like attending this course. We might be overthinking this...

Where are you taking your course? and with whom?

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

We are getting nerrrrrvous! Only one week until our course starts, and we do not feel confident at all

The weird thing is, we've dived in lots of different conditions lately, in different countries, from freezing cold water with literally zero visibility to slightly warmer, clear waters, with currents, surges, waves, so we have a lot of varied experience considering our low dive count. But none of the above gives us the same nervous feeling like attending this course. We might be overthinking this...

While I took fundies, my expectation is that your course will be incredibly intense and exhausting. Try to be well rested and well hydrated prior. But you will be ecstatic in the end as your course will be nothing like you've taken before and will forever change your persecption of scuba diving training.

While you are taking a recreational skills course, it will help you enjoy looking at pretty fish diving (my favorite) as you will be able to extend your bottom time through less exertion due to better trim and more efficient finning.

I expect you will have one regret. The same regret I have. Not taking this course sooner.

 

[drummerc]

I just finished Fundies in Mexico with Laurent at zero gravity. It was the old school full fundamentals and I did a drysuit and doubles primer as well. It was 8 days solid of diving and I was sore at the end of it. That said, it was very well worth it and I learned a lot. I nearly got my tech pass but will have to come back for it, but was happy with a strong rec pass and the skills that I learned.

Day 1 was night and day different than the last day, so don't worry so much about where you're starting from. I had about 85 dives and a PADI rescue cert over about 18 years of diving and felt fairly comfortable in the water to start, but introducing new equiptment and trying to dial in buoyancy while task loading is another level. I liked learning how to really dial in buoyancy from 15' to 10' to 5' and back up and down while staying in proper trim and balance. Working a lot on skills at shallow depths where its harder certainly pays off.

Apart from the in water skills which are quite valuable, GUE also teaches a lot of gas planning and safety related info that you might or might not already have, but that I found quite useful. Things like estimating how much gas you should have used for a given period of time/depth and using your SPG to VERIFY as opposed to seeing where you stand on gas and having no idea what you expect it to say. Simple tools and tables to know your NDL based on depth and gas and min gas remaining for various tank sizes, depths etc.

Hope you have a great time and don't stress to much about the course. It is work/training and not vacation dives, but its very much worth the time and money for the boost in your skills

 

[AnnikaPersson]

Once again, the class is for you to learn and enjoy! And as I know the instructor fairly well.
Just enjoy!

 

[bradStyle]

We are getting nerrrrrvous! Only one week until our course starts, and we do not feel confident at all
none of the above gives us the same nervous feeling like attending this course. We might be overthinking this...

It's OK to be nervous! In many physiological ways that's the same thing as being excited anyway. And you should be excited... it's a *transformative* course that will give you super powers in the weeks and months that follow.

However you feel is OK. Bring your feelings, your excitement and nervousness, and hopes, doubts, and expectations to the course with you. Put it all on the table. You are coming to this course to be changed by it. Give up any thoughts about "acing" it. Just do your best, whatever that looks like. Have fun, learn something, laugh often. Let your instructor guide and shape you.

I did (Recreational) Fundies when I had 100 dives. Best dive course I've ever taken. It changed my life. I hope it's great for you too. Let us know how it goes!