GUE Fundamentals

[Mr. Dooley]

Apologies if this isn't the appropriate forum.

I'm not a new diver, but let's say I'm new-ish (about 80 dives total). Just got TDI wreck, advanced nitrox, and deco certified. I'm serious about advancing my skills and dedicating my resources towards that end.

Generally, my core skills are good not great. Breathing actually being the most difficult for me. Anyway I saw a recent r/scuba post where a few folks chimed in about how "transformative" a GUE Fundamentals course can be. After reading up on it on GUE's own site, I like the idea of it.

Curious what anyone's experience has been who's taken GUE Fundamentals.

 

[San Diego Climber]

Experience- phenomenal. If you're considering it (and have the $ for gear config if not currently diving it), definitely do it.

 

[Tracy]

Apologies if this isn't the appropriate forum.

I'm not a new diver, but let's say I'm new-ish (about 80 dives total). Just got TDI wreck, advanced nitrox, and deco certified. I'm serious about advancing my skills and dedicating my resources towards that end.

Generally, my core skills are good not great. Breathing actually being the most difficult for me. Anyway I saw a recent r/scuba post where a few folks chimed in about how "transformative" a GUE Fundamentals course can be. After reading up on it on GUE's own site, I like the idea of it.

Curious what anyone's experience has been who's taken GUE Fundamentals.

No matter how good of a diver you believe yourself to be, you will learn something during the course. It will improve your diving experience. If the opportunity presents, take the course and enjoy it. Go for the skills, skip the koolaid. Unless you like it, then drink up.

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

It has pretty much the same course content as TDI Intro to Tech. Valve drills (if you are in doubles,) S-drills, Mask removal and replace while neutral, clipping unclipping, shooting SMBs. Then you practice propulsion techniques such as back kick, helicopter turns etc. Normally, the passing criteria is a higher skill level than TDI Intro to tech but skills are pretty much the same. If you had a good intro to tech course then you may not find anything in your Fundies that was already not part of your Intro to Tech.

While skills are the same, your Intro to tech may not be requiring the same precision.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

ITT is a great option IF you have a great instructor, like @custureri or @LandonL of Aqui Watersports in South Florida.

TDI allows (encourages) instructors to teach at a high level, even higher than GUE, but not many do.

If you are in the US, GUE is a very good option.

Fortunately for me there is a strong GUE community in the Seattle area, second to Florida.

It was a transformational class for me as a diver and an instructor. It is a course I frequently recommend. I wish I took it earlier. I would have saved a lot of time and money on check-the-box com ed courses and been a better diver faster. Much faster.

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

ITT is a great option IF you have a great instructor, like @custureri or @LandonL of Aqui Watersports in South Florida.

Yup. I was thinking of them two as well. You will get a very thorough class if you hook up with Ryan.

 

[ginti]

I agree with everything already said.

Since you ask for the "experience", I'll add some negative aspects.

It can be frustrating if you expect to pass it, especially if you want to have a tech pass straight away. Few get a tec pass, some just a rec pass, and some get only a provisional (I never met anyone who failed it, but there are some folks in this category).

Depending on your level, it can require a lot of post-course work; this is especially true if you don't get a tec pass. Because this work requires a team, check whether you can find some GUE folks close to you (you're in the US, I bet there are many). A good idea is to speak with them about the course - discussions in presence are always better than online.

There are essentially two rigid points about this course (what some people here call "koolaid"):
1 - equipment configuration; you need to do it back-mount (double or single), and you must have a back-plate with a wing. Some restrictions as well related to regulators and dry-suit. You must have a long hose. NO restriction AT ALL about brands! (some people think you need to have halcyon equipment -> this is FALSE!)
2 - procedures are taught to be consistent with any higher level of diving. For instance, you will learn to do a valve drill that is precisely the same as the valve drill of any hypoxic-trained GUE diver, any GUE full cave diver, any GUE rebreather diver, etc. The same is true for S-drill, SMB deployment, etc. Because of that, some procedures may look rigid (in my opinion, they aren't, but some people think so...)

That said, best course I've ever taken in my life.

 

[Julius SCHMIDT]

Generally, my core skills are good not great. Breathing actually being the most difficult for me.

I think your choice of forum is quite appropriate. I have a friend that teaches people how to breathe
perhaps you could find someone like that

 

[Gandalf-the-Diver]

you must have a back-plate with a wing.

I have been under the impression that Fundies, can be done in a rec setup, without having to go to a BP/W. I know I would like to eventually take the course, but I have no desire to buck up for a new BCD. I have a back inflate I like, and I sling a 30cu pony for redundant air. My setup, garnered a, "at least you have redundant air" comment when I attended a GUE "casual" dive.

 

[ginti]

I have been under the impression that Fundies, can be done in a rec setup, without having to go to a BP/W. I know I would like to eventually take the course, but I have no desire to buck up for a new BCD. I have a back inflate I like, and I sling a 30cu pony for redundant air. My setup, garnered a, "at least you have redundant air" comment when I attended a GUE "casual" dive.

Fundies can be done in a rec configuration: a BP/W with a single cylinder. For more details, see their website and appendix A of their standards:

Diver Training

GUE is a leader in scuba education, having developed numerous industry-first training protocols and utilizing an elite cast of diving educators. The curricula provide training for all levels and interests, all in an effort to elevate the quality of training within the dive industry.

www.gue.com

https://www.gue.com/files/Standards_and_Procedures/GUE-Standards-v9.2.pdf

You can do the course without buying anything - just rent the equipment and see if you like it. If you do not, you will still learn all the skills.