DIR- GUE Is it worth taking Fundamentals this late in the game?

[crofrog]

can't say much else except that it's harder on a rebreather and more than an occasional glance at the computer to reference depth seems to hinder that

Interesting, I have no rebreather time, but I had always heard it was easier because once you get stable, your breathing no longer affects your buoyancy.

 

[flymolo]

Interesting, I have no rebreather time, but I had always heard it was easier because once you get stable, your breathing no longer affects your buoyancy.

Conversely on OC you can use your breathing to fine tune your buoyancy. On CCR you no longer have that tool. What works for me is to maintain constant volume throughout the system and just make fine adjustments by finning up or down. But it takes a fair bit of concentration and each time you change depth you gotta find that sweet spot again.

 

[RedSix]

And when coming back from CC to OC you try to compensate the depth variations coming from the breathing cycle by using the wing for the first few minutes

 

[flymolo]

And when coming back from CC to OC you try to compensate the depth variations coming from the breathing cycle by using the wing for the first few minutes

Haha yup the first dive on OC in awhile is usually a bit of a brainf**k

 

[NothingClever]

@NothingClever , I'm on the GUE Fundamentals path. I'm always looking for opportunities to work on skills, especially as I move to a drysuit this fall. Let me know if you'd like to dive sometime in Gainesville/High Springs/Ocala area.

Do you intend to get on with Tech 1 or Cave 1 after Fundamentals?

As for me, since I’m already Trimix qualified (TDI), I think the best use of my attention and resources will be Cave 1. Of course I’ll be interested in what dive sites that unlocks for me in north Florida but I’m kinda keen to go for some hikes in Mexico.

 

[dray_gnv]

Do you intend to get on with Tech 1 or Cave 1 after Fundamentals?

As for me, since I’m already Trimix qualified (TDI), I think the best use of my attention and resources will be Cave 1. Of course I’ll be interested in what dive sites that unlocks for me in north Florida but I’m kinda keen to go for some hikes in Mexico.

I do plan on pursuing the Cave 1 certification, likely some time next year once I feel I've really dialed in those basic skills and get more experience in the drysuit -- about a dozen dives since getting it a month ago.

I get the sense that Cave 1 is considered a step toward Cave 2 rather than a goal in itself. That may be enough for me, though.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I do plan on pursuing the Cave 1 certification, likely some time next year once I feel I've really dialed in those basic skills and get more experience in the drysuit -- about a dozen dives since getting it a month ago.

I get the sense that Cave 1 is considered a step toward Cave 2 rather than a goal in itself. That may be enough for me, though.

Cave 1 and other agencies' first-level cave courses are not intended as terminal courses; rather, the expectation is you will finish the course progression, which in the case of GUE is Cave 2. But keep in mind that just because you have a Cave 2 certification does not mean you can't choose to plan some dive acccording to the Cave 1 rules/limits if you feel like it. Cave 2 just gives you more tools that you can employ or not employ.

 

[billgraham]

My friend is an excellent dive instructor here in Florida and he offers a "fundamentals" class that seems to help everyone, regardless of training level. He's at DEMA for the moment but contact Cave Adventurers, Edd Sorenson if you are interested.