Where to start

[ginti]

Yes, diff instructors but the shop offers both

Well, it depends on the shop and on the other instructor.

However... Did you ask the shop about these constraints of gue fundies? What exactly are they thinking about?

Also, if you take fundies, you can taste the gue philosophy. If you like it, you can continue that path easily, if you don't like it, you can continue with other paths. While the opposite is possible, it is usually quite hard.

Last question, does this shop offer advanced training? With which agencies?

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

So i just had a long chat at my lds and they suggested going for SSI foundation instead of fundies, mainly because of the restrictiveness of the gue system to other systems and they find ssi foundations to be a very good interpretation of fundies.​

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What do you guys think of this, any experience? In particular they seemed to like the SSI extended range offerings. They offer both courses.​

While I am an instructor with SSI, I will recommend GUE fundies first.

One of the weaknesses of non DIR agencies is the lack of a gatekeeper course to ensure that fundamental recreational skills are solid. Having taken WRSTC introductory tech courses, it was a mess with students all over with their buoyancy control, DSMB deployment, etc..

Get a solid skils foundation first. GUE fundies is guaranteed to give you that. Then move onto technical diving courses of your choice. I will emphasize that GUE fundies is a recreational skills course.

You will carry the discipline required for technical diving from GUE to whichever route you take.

 

[Thombalabomba]

Well, it depends on the shop and on the other instructor.

However... Did you ask the shop about these constraints of gue fundies? What exactly are they thinking about?

Also, if you take fundies, you can taste the gue philosophy. If you like it, you can continue that path easily, if you don't like it, you can continue with other paths. While the opposite is possible, it is usually quite hard.

Last question, does this shop offer advanced training? With which agencies?

I believe their point was mostly that they were impressed with the ssi track and that gue was more confined to gue methodology rather than open to diving with people from different agencies. They currently are starting to offer XR courses from SSI and offer no GUE after fundies.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

I believe their point was mostly that they were impressed with the ssi track and that gue was more confined to gue methodology rather than open to diving with people from different agencies. They currently are starting to offer XR courses from SSI and offer no GUE after fundies.

The best advice I ever received was "Don't drink the Kool Aid, just go for the skills." And that's what I'd say to you. Put on a BP/W, blade fins, long hose, and afterwards go back to whatever configuration you want.

 

[ginti]

I believe their point was mostly that they were impressed with the ssi track and that gue was more confined to gue methodology rather than open to diving with people from different agencies. They currently are starting to offer XR courses from SSI and offer no GUE after fundies.

So, I don't know them, so I can see three possibilities
(1) they honestly believe what they said, but it would be wrong. Most of the agencies technical courses do not have any foundation course as a prerequisite. Usually, good instructors would evaluate your skills' level and, if you're ok, fine, you can go for the tech/cave/whatever course. Otherwise they would suggest you to do a foundational course. Guess what? If you do the GUE fundamental they will teach you these skills therefore, you can do fundies and then go to other agencies. HOWEVER, however... I could not find any prerequisite for SSI, so double check it. Side note: GUE also allows for crossover, but it is a bit more complicated (it requires an instructor evaluator for the course you want to do, and there aren't many). This is why you may want to consider fundies (if you like it, and you want to continue this path, it's going to be easier).
(2) they are honest businessmen, but still businessmen. In other words, they believe they can give you a very high quality product, which is what you want, and they don't want to risk to lose you. So they suggest you not to do fundies, because if you do and you like it, they would lose you as a customer.
(3) they are not respectable business people. I don't believe this is the case for some reasons, so I will not even discuss this option.

Before continuing, an important note: if you do fundies, after the course... you can dive with WHOEVER you want. No restrictions at all about that, and you will also be a fantastic buddy.

Now, let's stick to your choice. Both courses have advantage and disadvantages. To be honest with you, if I were you and I liked the GUE instructor, I would do fundies without even thinking about it. The advantages are that you are sure of the product quality and you will have more options after the course (both GUE and other agencies). The disadvantages are that you can't choose some things (no sidemount, no jacket style BCD, etc.). The opposite is true for SSI. Obviously you must also consider how much you like the instructors...

But my view is biased

Ultimately it is a choice of you.

Whatever you choose, best luck!

 

[broncobowsher]

As someone who has transitioned into technical diving, the lack of a solid foundation has been the hardest part. Looking back on it, the GUE fundies course should have been an early step. I'm still considering going back for it. No intention of doing the GUE kool-aid. But there fundies course is well known outside of GUE as getting you a good start regardless of what the final path is.

 

[RDF in CA]

Interesting, thank you.