Product Description
Frequently Asked Questions about GUE Fundamentals:
Q: What is Global Underwater Explorers ?
A: Global Underwater Explorers (GUE) is a non-profit organization focused in improving the aquatic realm in three areas – Education, Conservation and Exploration. We want to improve the overall aquatic education, we are also strong into research, conservation and exploration efforts.
Q: What is GUE Fundamentals ?
A: The Fundamentals class is the gateway into GUE. It takes experienced divers and non-experienced divers and shows them what our philosophy represents. Once you have gone through our Fundamentals program, you can plug into one of the three areas within our organization at any level. Whether you are interested in further Training or to become part of our Conservation initiatives or to participate in one of our Exploration projects, you have the freedom to take part in any of these. Completion of Fundamentals with Recreational pass will enable diver to continue with our Recreational training program. Completion of Fundamentals with Technical pass is required for GUE Cave or Technical training.
Q: Who takes Fundamentals ?
A: We have a vast variety of Recreational and Technical divers who comes to take Fundamentals. They be generalized into three groups:
- recreational divers who just want better and safer diving to advance his/her basic diving skills, thereby developing more comfort, confidence and competence in the water
- divers with aspirations of more advanced training to learn about our philosophy, procedure and protocol that will will contribute to a greater likelihood of their success
- non-GUE diver who are looking for GUE training (Rec / Tech / Cave) takes Fundamentals as a pre-requisite for future classes
Q: What are the Primer classes for and should I take them before Fundamentals
A: There are Doubles Primer, Drysuit Primer classes. Each designed to provide diver with an opportunity to advance his/her basic diving skills, developing comfort, confidence and competence in the water.
It is not a prerequisite to take the Primer classes before Fundamentals course. However, if students come into the Fundamentals course better prepared, then the course can delve into more detail on the topics learnt and more time can be spent on perfecting the skills, instead of learning them.
Q: What are the prerequisites for Fundamentals ?
A: Open water certified from any recognized training agency, minimum age of 16, non-smoking diver who holds insurance are the basic requirements for Fundamentals.
http://www.globalunderwaterexplorers.org/content/gue-fundamentals
Q: What are the performance requirements for Fundamentals ?
A: Performance requirement can be found in the link below.
http://www.globalunderwaterexplorers.org/content/gue-fundamentals
Q: What is the difference between a Rec and a Tech pass ?
A: We have divers coming into GUE Fundamentals for different paths within the organization. We have recreational divers who are looking for fair critique of their strengths and weaknesses and those who wants to take a future Technical or Cave class. Although the complexity and risks associated with each type of diving are very different, the basic fundamentals skills are essentially the same. This is why we have established two standards (Recreational and Technical) in the same Fundamentals program. The drills and skills taught are the same. However the standard and degree of precision to which skills are performed are higher for a Technical pass. In order to be evaluated for Technical endorsement, students must take Fundamentals in double tank and demonstrate proficiency with primary light.
Q: Will I fail if I try for the Tech pass but don’t do well enough for it ?
A: The standards for a Tech pass will be higher and the class will be more challenging. If you are unable to meet the Technical standards but meets the standards of a Recreational pass, you will earn a passing grade and can upgrade to a Technical pass in the future.
Q: I have a Rec pass in Fundies previously, how do I upgrade to a Tech pass ?
A: While you will not need to retake the full class to upgrade to a Tech pass, you will need to arrange with your instructor to do evaluation dive(s) to assess whether you are able to perform the Fundamental skills at a Tech level.
Q: What is a Provisional Certification ?
A: At the completion of class, instructor must decide whether student has met the standard to be certified or not. The assessment can be one of:
- Pass
- Provisional certification
- Fail
Provisional certifications do not represent any form of GUE accreditation and must be upgraded within six months or the student must repeat the class.
Q: Do I need to be a good swimmer ?
A: The class requires a completion of 300 yards/275 meters in 14 minutes and a breath hold swim for 50 ft/15 meters while submerged. You do not have to be a fast swimmer as long as you can complete the swim within the timeframe.
Q: How much is a GUE Fundamentals ?
A: Cost associated with a GUE class are GUE registration fees, course fees and expenses. While each student will be responsible for his/her own registration and course fees; instructor expenses will be split amongst the students. Expenses include traveling, accommodation and diving expenses (e.g. boat and gas).
Q: How do I sign up for the class ?
A: Below are the steps to sign up for GUE class:
- Create an account or login to GUE.com
- Complete your student profile
- Check with your instructor for schedule and details on the course
- Apply for class and make payment for course registration on GUE.com
- Contact instructor for course fees payment
FAQ about Gear:
Q: What gear will I need for GUE Fundamentals ？
A: Philosophy compliant equipment is what we are looking for. Please refer to Appendix A of the GUE standards and rating specific equipment per course outline.http://www.globalunderwaterexplorers.org/content/gue-fundamentals
Q: Do I have to own my equipment to take Fundamentals ?
A: Being familiar with personal equipment is beneficial for class and allow for building a solid platform for continued practice after class. It is strongly encouraged that student come to class with his/her equipment.
Q: Do I need to be in a drysuit for Tech pass ?
A: The type of exposure protection you wear has no bearing on your class or certification. We are not certifying you to dive in a wetsuit or drysuit in Fundamentals. All you need is whatever you are going to be most comfortable in and will perform best in.
Q: How should I configure my equipment ?
A: The following link would be a good place to start
http://www.globalunderwaterexplorers.org/equipment/config
Q: Do I have to have a canister light ?
A: Primary light should consist of a rechargeable battery pack and be fitted with a Goodman-style light handle. When burn time requirement create the need for an external battery pack, there should be a canister. The benefit of diving / training with a canister light is more effective communication and the building of muscle memory for stowing long hose.
Q: What backup lights should I get ?
A: Back-up lights must be reliable, and therefore should be powered by alkaline batteries (more reliable, consistent and predictable). Twist-type activation eliminates the potential failure of a mechanical switch. Plastic construction is generally avoided.
Q: What hose lengths do I need ?
A: There is not a fixed number for hose length except for long hose described in Appendix A of the GUE standards where it must be 5 to 7 foot / 1.5 to 2 meters. For obvious reasons, hoses (necklace, wing inflator, SPG, drysuit inflator) should be long enough to be non-restrictive, yet short enough to be streamlined.
