Starting GUE classes at what point?

[BluewaterSail]

I suspect most boats that require AOW would be fine with a Fundies card. At least make sure your AOW course is decent--do your research. Mine was extremely disappointing.

But not a Primer card. Because its not a certification course and has no card. Fundies is further in the future I think. Besides, not everyone has heard of GUE and Fundies.

 

[PfcAJ]

I vote for taking Fundamentals, especially if you have any thoughts at all of continuing with GUE training.

 

[TSandM]

AOW is a different class from Primer or Fundies. For example, at least in the PADI system, you WILL do a navigation dive . . . most folks don't come out of OW with great compass skills, and having a chance to practice that a bit is often quite useful. You may also, if you choose, do a night dive, and Fundies must by standards be taught in the daytime.

In contrast, Primer and/or Fundies will focus very intensely on personal diving skills, especially good control of buoyancy, trim and positioning in the water. And the GUE classes will constantly harp on awareness and team cohesion and communication, none of which are necessarily addressed much, if at all, in AOW.

I don't think someone with a Fundies rec pass would benefit very much from a standard AOW class, but there might easily be specialties like Nav that would be quite beneficial. Someone who is asking if he has the experience or skills to do Primer or Fundamentals, though, might benefit considerably from an AOW class, with five instructor-supervised dives, especially if said instructor has some cave diving experience

 

[sealsix14]

I'll definitely give Doug a call within the next few weeks. and I think I'll go ahead and take AOW and Rescue this summer because my girlfriend isn't a GUE(DIR) style diver, or doesn't want to be but wants to improve and feel more comfortable in the water and having more options so I think that will be something I do, along with taking Primer and Fundies.

Another question I have is, do I need to own all the gear that is required for the course(equipment requirement seems like I should own it all)? I know that I should own most of it but for Primer should I have everything including Regulator..etc. I will most definitely have my bp/w and computer or depth gauge and timer though but I just don't know If I will have everything by then.

Also, do you guys know any good Cave Instructors, or DIR Instructors around the Atlanta area? I live there most of the time and for training ( or just some guidance) it would be nice to get to know some of the good instructors or better divers around.

 

[BluewaterSail]

Another question I have is, do I need to own all the gear that is required for the course(equipment requirement seems like I should own it all)? I know that I should own most of it but for Primer should I have everything including Regulator..etc. I will most definitely have my bp/w and computer or depth gauge and timer though but I just don't know If I will have everything by then.

Talk to the instructor, Doug in this case. He may be able to rent you what you don't have for Primer. For Fundies, I think that its best to have your own, and have dove it some, so you are comfortable in it.

Part of either course is a review of your equipment, and advice on any aspect that can be fine tuned or improved. The more you have of your own, the more that you can benefit from the equipment review.

 

[PfcAJ]

Doug is really good, give him a call and he'll take care of you.

 

[sealsix14]

Sounds good, and thats what I've heard and read but getting over that initial $$ spending is the key thing, like I know I will need two primary regulators for doubles in the future so when I think of regulators I think of buying something like the Tek3 set from Apeks which is expensive..but this is a topic for another thread..lol. Thanks for the info guys, I'll give him a call soon and start figuring out my gear configuration so I can get comfortable with it.

 

[rlynch]

+1 on Doug I have taken Fundies and Primer from him.
On a side note i'm trying to get a Fundies class together with Doug in the Raleigh area if your interested - Time Frame were shooting for is August.
If its up here i might (or the local group can) help with missing gear items such as lights, regs, etc. or doug can rent them normally out of EE for the class (but its better to have all the basic items such as BP/W, suit, fins, etc. that are yours)

 

[TSandM]

I don't know how much he dives any more, but you could try Pming DIR-Atlanta for some information on any DIR-style instructors in the area. Katepnatl is also a DIR diver in Atlanta.

 

[sealsix14]

I might be interested, It depends If I take it sooner and If I would be back at school or not. I move into my new apartment the first of August but theres two weeks before classes start So I might be interested. It just sucks for me because from Atlanta Its basically 6 hours each direction, either to High Springs FL or Raleigh NC. and I think I will most likely be getting most of my gear since It is the better way to go according to everyone. The only thing I need to figure out is regulators since I basically know what other gear I am going to get for my set up.

---------- Post added April 19th, 2012 at 03:58 PM ----------

Ok thanks, I'll try giving them a PM. Thanks for the info.