GUE Tech vs. TDI Tech classes

[ppo2_diver]

Another option would be Essentials or Intro to Tech through UTD. There are instructors, including the head guy, in Cali.

 

[TSandM]

Why did you switched to NACD although you were so happy with GUE?

Because I forgot that I'm not a very talented diver and I learn slowly, and it seems as though I have to take many of my classes twice before I get them right. So I tried to take Cave 2 cold and did horribly at it. Full Cave is a class that doesn't involve as much (no stages, for example) so I was able to bit off a manageable chunk.

AND I knew the instructor for the NACD class, and knew he wouldn't cut me any slack!

 

[boulderjohn]

I think there might actually be an agency that thought of that...

And they have an intro to tech & tech instructor in CO who's doing the dives with his posse, all of which is which is fairly close to the OP...

Another option would be Essentials or Intro to Tech through UTD. There are instructors, including the head guy, in Cali.

...and if you read down through the linked thread you will get a glimpse of my driving mishap coming back from the last trip.

TDI gives its instructors a whole lot of flexibility in what they do, as long as they meet their minimum standards. In my case, my TDI instructor pretty much followed the GUE course plan.

As the link provided shows you, there is indeed a UTD instructor in Colorado. We do most of our training, though, in New Mexico. That is the nearest true technical diving opportunity. That would also be true if you went with Rob Calkins for GUE. Both groups train at the same place, although we usually try to go on different weekends.

 

[rjack321]

TDI gives its instructors a whole lot of flexibility in what they do, as long as they meet their minimum standards. In my case, my TDI instructor pretty much followed the GUE course plan.

Not sure how you would know what any given course looks like? Have you taken or observed a GUE tech1 course?

 

[boulderjohn]

Not sure how you would know what any given course looks like? Have you taken or observed a GUE tech1 course?

No, I just took my instructor's word for it. Perhaps he was lying when he said that he was essentially giving us the GUE curriculum (in which he himself had been trained) rather than the TDI.

 

[Gombessa]

I'm sure he wasn't lying. I'm just guessing rjack is thinking that there's more to what makes a GUE course than just the curriculum (which I would imagine looks fairly standard across agencies)?

 

[rjack321]

No, I just took my instructor's word for it. Perhaps he was lying when he said that he was essentially giving us the GUE curriculum (in which he himself had been trained) rather than the TDI.

I'm saying that non-GUE instructors who haven't been through a GUE IDC are not teaching the "GUE curriculum". Even if they have taken GUE classes themselves at some point in the past. Its no different than if a GUE instructor took a TDI class and then claimed to be teaching TDI's curriculum.

If you want a GUE class you need to take a GUE class, not UTD, not NAUI-tech, not TDI etc, not by some instructor "just like GUE". Likewise in all the reverse examples.

To say otherwise is essentially claiming that agency IDCs are worthless and don't give instructors anything that they can't get through a course as a student. Maybe some IDCs actually are worthless; I wouldn't know I've never taken one There are a disappointingly large number of instructors who are claiming to be "just like GUE" though. I guess its good marketing, but it diminishes the accomplishments of those who have actually earned that status - its a tough rigorous road through internships, IDCs, more internships, and final evaluation.

 

[diddydidit]

It's all about the instructor. I went the TDI route as I don't drink the DIR koolaid. I stated with the Intro to tech, which was 3 days of buoyancy, trim, finning, and drills, including half a dozen valve drills.
Then I did A/EANx and Deco. Four days of night classes followed by 9 dives. Each day we would do deep dive then a shallow dive doing drills. and by drills I mean tortured, mask ripped off, fins off, valve shut down all simultaneously, all fun stuff I loved every minute of it. We also did line drills and deco bottle use with Two bottles. The last three dives were actual Deco dives.

My instructor went above and beyond the standards set out by TDI, He was absolutely great and we also dive together from time to time. So you see it is all about the instructor, so do your homework, ask your LDS and talk to people who have trained with Him/Her

 

[GShockey]

I'm saying that non-GUE instructors who haven't been through a GUE IDC are not teaching the "GUE curriculum". Even if they have taken GUE classes themselves at some point in the past. Its no different than if a GUE instructor took a TDI class and then claimed to be teaching TDI's curriculum.

If you want a GUE class you need to take a GUE class, not UTD, not NAUI-tech, not TDI etc, not by some instructor "just like GUE". Likewise in all the reverse examples.

To say otherwise is essentially claiming that agency IDCs are worthless and don't give instructors anything that they can't get through a course as a student. Maybe some IDCs actually are worthless; I wouldn't know I've never taken one There are a disappointingly large number of instructors who are claiming to be "just like GUE" though. I guess its good marketing, but it diminishes the accomplishments of those who have actually earned that status - its a tough rigorous road through internships, IDCs, more internships, and final evaluation.

You are just saying this 'cause you heard I was coming diving this Saturday and you are hoping I will buy you lunch...

 

[StreetDoctor]

You are just saying this 'cause you heard I was coming diving this Saturday and you are hoping I will buy you lunch...

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

There seems to be a pattern here, I cannot confirm or deny lunch bribes given to a certain GUE instructor that operates out of Lexington, KY.