Starting GUE classes at what point?

[PfcAJ]

Don't put the carriage before the horse with gear, though. I'd have a good discussion with a real gue instructor and bounce ideas off of guys and gals on this forum before buying anything.

 

[sealsix14]

Ok, I'll definitely talk to an instructor about gear and get some idea off of the forum. I might just make another thread for gear selection...to bounce ideas off.

 

[Griffo]

I'll second the comment of not buying anything without checking with your instructor or the guys here. I rushed off an bought all my gear after OW. With the exception of the SMB, it's now all been sold on Ebay at a loss, or is collecting dust.
I'm doing Fundies shortly in a single tank, and plan to do the doubles upgrade later. I see no point in making the course any harder for myself than it needs to be.

Inducstry recognition of Fundies seems a bit funny, i've been speaking to some tech schools in Thailand about doing a TDI adv Nitrox course while i'm there on hols later this year. Some of the schools said that not having an AOW i didn't qualify, even assuming I pass my Fundies. Others have said that as long as I pass fundies, they'd take me with no other certs.

 

[eelnoraa]

Inducstry recognition of Fundies seems a bit funny, i've been speaking to some tech schools in Thailand about doing a TDI adv Nitrox course while i'm there on hols later this year. Some of the schools said that not having an AOW i didn't qualify, even assuming I pass my Fundies. Others have said that as long as I pass fundies, they'd take me with no other certs.

I totally agree. It is the only draw back of training with GUE. I was in live aboard in Thailand. I put down my highest certification as GUE fundie. I ended up diving with PADI OW students. And they didn't let me dive nitrox.

 

[TSandM]

That's strange, eelnoraa, because the Fundamentals card specific says "Trained in the use of 32% Nitrox."

 

[PfcAJ]

I never looked at Fundamentals as a certification (with the possible exception of nitrox, which wasn't in the curriculum when I took it). But if my card said nitrox, I'd have a talk with the operator about not 'letting' me dive it.

 

[eelnoraa]

That's strange, eelnoraa, because the Fundamentals card specific says "Trained in the use of 32% Nitrox."

Yes, and yet, they didn't let me dive nitrox. They offer me a PADI nitrox course tho. I was in good mood on vacation, so I didn't argue with them. So I just say "no thanks"

 

[rhlee]

Yes, and yet, they didn't let me dive nitrox. They offer me a PADI nitrox course tho. I was in good mood on vacation, so I didn't argue with them. So I just say "no thanks"

Must be the sketchy name listed as the instructor

 

[ucfdiver]

Yes, and yet, they didn't let me dive nitrox. They offer me a PADI nitrox course tho. I was in good mood on vacation, so I didn't argue with them. So I just say "no thanks"

That's odd, I don't recall ever showing a nitrox (or even trimix) card to anyone, I wouldn't expect to have to show it out of the states, especially. Is that the only place you've had an issue?

Most GUE instructors are instructors for other agencies as well, so I would just ask for a nitrox card and pay the fee.

 

[gsk3]

Fundies is my only nitrox card, and I've never had a problem having it recognized. OTOH, I've heard of people having trouble getting 32% nitrox fills on their TDI/IANTD/whatever trimix cards, so I guess anything's possible.