Certification agency

[nereas]

When i completed GUE-F it was always hinted at how easy it is to transfer upto TECH-1 in the way of gear. Ofcourse this is more true than if i had none of the gear, but i'd still be looking at quite a cost.
2 tanks (unless you already have 2 you want to twin)
Twinning bands
Manifold
Wing (doubles)
primary reg (second)
Argon bottle + harness + OPV + regulator
primary reel
And you are looking at ~1300 dollars to do the course (and travel expenses for instructors if necessery)

VBD can you tell us how GUE works? Do they actually offer a C-card for tech that authorizes hypoxic O2 mixes and helium fills? Or do they only offer supplemental training beyond the already-certified level for tech?

 

[verybaddiver]

VBD can you tell us how GUE works? Do they actually offer a C-card for tech that authorizes hypoxic O2 mixes and helium fills? Or do they only offer supplemental training beyond the already-certified level for tech?

GUE-F is the only course GUE offers that won't gain you any 'useful' certification card, as it's basically setting the standard for future GUE training. The new beginners course GUE is offering will teach new divers from scratch though.
TECH-1 teaches and allows you to utilise post course normoxic trimix upto 45m.
TECH-2 teaches and allows you to utilise post course hypoxic trimix upto 70m
TECH-3 (which i've never known being taught :/, ) is extended range beyond 70m

(edit: they also teach you reel work amongst other stuff :/, I'm also thinking GUE-F may qualify you to purchase EANx 32 from dive shops, although it says nothing on the card, nor does any1 in 99% of the world acknowledge what GUE is :/)

 

[Thalassamania]

1) Take GUE Fundies.
2) Take rescue from an Instructor you like (any agency).
3) Make about 40 varying dives more.
4) Take LA County Advanced program (if you can) or NAUI Master Diver.
5) Take whatever tech courses tickle your fancy.

 

[Icarusflies]

Thank you all for this useful feed back.

I realize that 60 dives are not a lot. However I feel pretty comfortable in the water and I d like to learn more skills from experienced divers through training. My first impulse was PADI rescue but even though my experience in AOW and Nitrox training with PADI was fun I felt it was easily won. In my AOW I was the trainee with more dive at 8 dives!!!!! and after the certification I did not feel better prepared to do deep dives that at OW. My point is that in the course we all had to have a harder time getting an AOW certification that lets you descend at 130 feet and I am concerned that rescue is going to be more of the same. I don't care about a C card, I care about the knowledge, I think that you will agree with me.

So here I stand at the cross road between going Tech Wreck Penetration of CCR with air diluent at shollow depths.

 

[H2Andy]

Rescue is actually a very good class

you need to look around for a good instructor (regardless of his/her affiliation) and take Rescue with them

before taking any advanced classes, i would definetly complete the basic classes:

OW-AOW-Rescue-Nitrox


this is random on my part, but based on my experience, i have broken down classes into three levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced

basic: as stated, OW-AOW-Rescue-Nitrox
intermediate: DIR-F, Advanced Nitrox, Deco Procedures, Cavern, NAUI Master Diver
advanced: any Wreck or Cave class, Trimix, all other tech specialties

 

[nereas]

GUE-F is the only course GUE offers that won't gain you any 'useful' certification card, as it's basically setting the standard for future GUE training. The new beginners course GUE is offering will teach new divers from scratch though.
TECH-1 teaches and allows you to utilise post course normoxic trimix upto 45m.
TECH-2 teaches and allows you to utilise post course hypoxic trimix upto 70m
TECH-3 (which i've never known being taught :/, ) is extended range beyond 70m

(edit: they also teach you reel work amongst other stuff :/, I'm also thinking GUE-F may qualify you to purchase EANx 32 from dive shops, although it says nothing on the card, nor does any1 in 99% of the world acknowledge what GUE is :/)

Thanks VBD, I will edit my post.

 

[MSilvia]

Based on my experience, PADI Rescue was well worth taking, and not at all like the next-to-useless AOW class I had.

 

[captndale]

doing a lot of dives where you are just making the same errors over and over really don't make you a better diver

after 60 dives, he is comfortable in the water. i think it's time to raise the bar and start learning new skills and techniques and challenging himself

it's not how many dives you have, but the kinds of dives you have that really matter

I absolutely agree. That is why I recommended hooking up with an instructor who is experienced in doing the dives he wants to do. The certification agency and even the courses are secondary considerations and whatever advice he can get on the board will be of limited benefit, since we have little personal knowledge of him. A good mentor can point the way.