New Diver seeking GUE in Bonaire

[SpeedyJ]

Thanks, I booked a nice-looking 2 bd Airbnb (in Caribbean Club) right across the road from Area9 since it was the same price as a 1 bd. I read that people like to practice certain skills between sessions -- did you find that you had time to do this or were you pretty much done after course days?

The days are usually pretty long. By the time you're done, you're ready to relax knowing tomorrow is a long day. If anything, it might be a few min in front of a mirror running through the motions of a particular drill. My personal view is that coming back the next day rested and recharged is far better than coming back tired and potentially having drilled the wrong things in alone without the watchful eyes of the instructor.

I'm now looking into Performance Diver for myself since I'm anticipating it may be challenging (i.e. intolerably patronizing....) to dive together if I don't. We also have 2 newly certified Jr divers so it would be ideal if we're both consistent with them. I'm curious if GUE/DIR divers have their kids dive with a backplate/wing as well or is the gear not available in such small sizes?

It's great that you're looking into training as well. Kids can certainly be put in backplates and wings. Subgravity and Halcyon offer short backplates that may be better suited for the kiddos sizes. The typical hose lengths would need adjustment as well so they're not unwieldy.

 

[JoeTPhilly]

They suggested Fundamentals first and then if he's ready AOW (which can't practically be scheduled during the same trip since courses aren't avail on demand). They didn't embrace my husband's preference for Performance Diver (solo) followed by AOW. This means he'll probably end up doing AOW with another agency since he needs the depth certification for insurance purposes (we're diving Coz in May) and he has another 7 nights after Fundamentals is over. But I'm imagining that if the Kool-Aid is potent, he may no longer want to go with another agency even for practical purposes and AOW will happen with GUE on another trip?

I'm now looking into Performance Diver for myself since I'm anticipating it may be challenging (i.e. intolerably patronizing....) to dive together if I don't. We also have 2 newly certified Jr divers so it would be ideal if we're both consistent with them. I'm curious if GUE/DIR divers have their kids dive with a backplate/wing as well or is the gear not available in such small sizes?

Fundamentals Basic sounds like a good plan since your husband has the time to devote. I guess Performance Diver and then AOW would have been much. Like I said GUE AOW isn't just a dive sampler. He probably isn't going to want to train with a different agency. I know a lot of operations require AOW so he might have to just do it for the certification. Mr. G can give you recommendations.

Sure, you should take Performance Diver or maybe you should even take Fundamentals with your husband. As to children, take a look on the website or Mr. G's Facebook and you will see his daughter in backplate and wing; I think since she started to dive. My girlfriend is tiny and did Discover Scuba dives there in full GUE configuration with a small backplate and wing and a 63 cubic feet tank so they do have setups for young or small divers.