billt4sf
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We took Fundies (GUE Fundamentals) and it really helped us.
We are just average divers -- meaning that we’re not into tech diving or cave diving, and we pretty much take it easy. I don’t wish to begin another debate, I’m just very happy with the course and I would encourage others who may be interested to take it.
First off, we had a great instructor: Alberto (Beto) Nava. So patient!
I think we responded well to GUE because it’s a system: it covers weighting, trim, gear, fins, hoses, finning, gas planning, ascending, in-water skills, techniques, buddy checks, … everything. It worked great for us to have a system that we could both learn, use, and rely on. And we both have the same gear and use it the same way, so we both know what to do for the other, and what to expect from our buddy. That might be the most important aspect, aside from a very patient instructor.
It gives us both a great deal of confidence to learn and practice the skills while paying close attention to our buoyancy and keeping a constant depth. We could not have done this without having our gear and trim squared-away. It was very satisfying to see my wife do a no-mask swim and stay calm!
We have only done the pool work so far, using warm-water gear, so no ocean test yet. We might never pass, but so what?!? We don’t need another card -- we’re delighted that we are better divers – much closer to being independent, self-sufficient divers than we were before.
Thanks,
Bill & Emily
We are just average divers -- meaning that we’re not into tech diving or cave diving, and we pretty much take it easy. I don’t wish to begin another debate, I’m just very happy with the course and I would encourage others who may be interested to take it.
First off, we had a great instructor: Alberto (Beto) Nava. So patient!
I think we responded well to GUE because it’s a system: it covers weighting, trim, gear, fins, hoses, finning, gas planning, ascending, in-water skills, techniques, buddy checks, … everything. It worked great for us to have a system that we could both learn, use, and rely on. And we both have the same gear and use it the same way, so we both know what to do for the other, and what to expect from our buddy. That might be the most important aspect, aside from a very patient instructor.
It gives us both a great deal of confidence to learn and practice the skills while paying close attention to our buoyancy and keeping a constant depth. We could not have done this without having our gear and trim squared-away. It was very satisfying to see my wife do a no-mask swim and stay calm!
We have only done the pool work so far, using warm-water gear, so no ocean test yet. We might never pass, but so what?!? We don’t need another card -- we’re delighted that we are better divers – much closer to being independent, self-sufficient divers than we were before.
Thanks,
Bill & Emily