The course that changed the shape of contemporary diving. Open to anyone from any agency. Recreational or Tech.
Popularly known as 'Fundies' the GUE Fundamentals course is for divers of all levels and configuration. This course is designed to cultivate the essential skills required by all sound diving practice -- irrespective of level, agency or environment. This is the most talked-about course in recent times and not just an essential step for future GUE training but a popular programme for non-GUE divers aiming to perfect their skills and trim.
Based on a minimum of 10 hours of academics and dry runs with 5 in-water sessions under the supervision of an instructor, GUE-F focuses on increasing the fun in diving while reducing stress by enhancing diver proficiency through proper control of buoyancy, trim, propulsion, teamwork, and other GUE principles.
Fundamentals is a prerequisite for all GUE classes but is also a popular course option for recreational divers simply wanting to improve their general knowledge and in-water skills as well as technical divers who want to excel in their underwater skills.
What you get out from this course is largely up to you. You may learn new skills or fine tune your existing ones. You may choose GUE as your future training route and diving philosophy or make the most of your diving with what you have learned. It will, however, expose you to a set of skill mastery, equipment configuration and a broader awareness of diving and the environment.
One of the aims of the course would be to increase your efficiency as a diver. For more information or bookings Email Us.
The GUE-F course:
√ Provides the recreational diver, who does not desire further diver training, with an opportunity to advance his/her basic diving skills, thereby developing more comfort, confidence, and competence in the water.
√ Provides the diver with aspirations of more advanced diver training with the tools that will contribute to a greater likelihood of success.
√ Provides non-GUE trained divers with a gateway to GUE training.
√ Qualifies successful graduates to use Nitrox 32% in the 0-30 metre range.
Prerequisites:
Minimum age 16 • Non-Smoker • Mentally and Physically Fit • Certified Diver
Candidates must hold insurance that will cover diving emergencies such as hyperbaric treatment e.g. DAN Master-level insurance or equivalent. They need to also ubmit a completed registration form, complete with medical history, and liability release to GUE Headquarters. If using prescription drugs (except for birth control) or have a prior medical condition that may pose a risk while diving, they need to obtain a physician’s written authorization prior to the course.
Duration (3-4 full days):
• Full days encompassing both classroom and in-water work
• Minimum of 10 hours of academics and 5 in-water sessions
For more information or bookings Email Us.
FURTHER READING
Required Training Materials:
- Doing it Right: The Fundamentals of Better Diving. Jarrod Jablonski
- GUE Fundamentals Workbook.
Academic Topics:
- GUE organization
- Why GUE Fundamentals?
- Diving proficiency
- Buoyancy and trim
- Streamlining and equipment configuration
- Propulsion techniques
- Situational awareness
- Communication
- Breathing gas overview
- Dive planning and gas management
- Diver preparedness
Land Drills and Topics:
- Dive team protocols
- S-drill and valve-drill
- Equipment fit and function
- Propulsion techniques
- Pre-dive drills
- Surface marker deployment
- Unconscious diver recovery
Equipment Requirements:
Tanks/Cylinders:
Students may use dual tanks/cylinders connected with a dual outlet isolator manifold, which allows for the use of two first-stages. Students may also use a single tank/cylinder with a K, H, or Y-valve.
Regulators:
One of the second-stages must be on a 5- to 7-foot/1.5- to 2-meter hose. One of the first-stages must supply a pressure gauge and provide inflation for a dry suit (where applicable).
Backplate System:
A rigid and flat platform, of metal construction with minimal padding, held to a diver by one continuous piece of nylon webbing. This webbing should be adjustable through the plate and should use a buckle to secure the system at the waist. A crotch strap attached to the lower end of this platform and looped through the waistband would prevent the system from riding up a diver's back. A knife should be secured to the waist on the left webbing tab. This webbing should support five D-rings; the first should be placed at the left hip, the second should be placed in line with a diver's right collarbone, the third should be placed in line with the diver's left collarbone, the fourth and fifth should be affixed to the crotch strap to use while scootering or towing/stowing gear. The harness below the diver's arms should have small restrictive bands to allow for the placement of reserve light powered by three in-line c-cell batteries (where necessary). The system should retain a minimalist approach with no unnecessary components.
Buoyancy Compensation Device:
A diver's buoyancy compensation device should be back-mounted and minimalist in nature. It should come free of extraneous strings, tabs, or other material. There should be no restrictive bands or "bungee" of any sort affixed to the buoyancy cell. In addition, diver lift should not exceed 50lbs for a single tank and 80lbs for double tanks. Wing size and shape should be appropriate to the cylinder size(s) employed for training.
Other Equipment:
At least one depth-measuring device
At least one timekeeping device
Mask and fins: Mask should be low volume; fins should be rigid, non-split
At least one cutting device
Wet Notes
One spool with 100 feet/30 meters of line per diver
Exposure suit appropriate for the duration of exposure
Double cylinders with isolation manifold, and appropriately sized double-tank buoyancy compensation device.*
Additional requirements for Tech & Cave
One primary light:
A primary light should be minimalist in design; its power source should consist of a rechargeable battery pack residing in a canister powering an external light head via a light cord. Primary lights should produce the equivalent output of 50-watt halogen/10-watt HID lighting or greater.*
Two reserve lights:
Reserve lights should be powered by two or three in-line non-rechargeable cell batteries, with a minimum of protrusions and a single attachment at its rear. The light should be activated and de-activated by twisting the front bezel.*
*Required equipment 12 through 14 (Primary and Backup Lights) applies only to students seeking admittance into Tech or Cave training. Note: Prior to the commencement of class, students should consult with a GUE representative to verify equipment requirements. Whether or not a piece of equipment fulfills GUE’s equipment requirement remains at the discretion of GUE and its instructor representatives. Participants are responsible for providing all equipment or for making provisions to secure the use of necessary equipment before the start of the course. In general, it is better for the student to learn while using his or her own equipment. However, students should exercise caution before purchasing new equipment to avoid acquiring substandard equipment.
Required Dive Skills and Drills:
A full breakdown of required dive skills and drills for this course is available from Global Underwater Explorers Online. Some of these skills are only applicable to those candidates seeking GUE technical or cave training in the future. You can also read and review the updated and current Global Underwater Explorers Standards provided by GUE.
Underwater Explorers offers the following GUE courses: