GUE TECHNICAL FUNDAMENTALS

The GUE Technical Fundamentals course is designed for experienced divers who want to improve their skills in preparation for GUE’s technical, rebreather, or cave diving programs.

Many divers view this course as an entry point to advanced GUE dives, projects, and activities. The higher entry requirements ensure that all participants are on track to achieve a high level of competence in both their personal and team-oriented diving skills.

For many divers who were not trained by GUE, the course is an “Aha moment,” where everything falls into place. The standardized equipment configuration and procedures are just a small part of the overall concept. The realization of how a team-oriented approach can free up resources and increase situational awareness to maximize safety, efficiency, and fun is a life-changing moment for many students. They leave the course with a completely new approach to diving.

Historically, the Fundamentals course was developed to ensure that divers entering advanced GUE cave and technical diving courses would not struggle with basic diving skills. A solid diving foundation is built on balance, trim, buoyancy, and movement techniques. It is pointless to begin advanced training before mastering these basic aspects of diving. Otherwise, it leads to overload, stress, and poorly learned skills. Divers struggling with personal skills cannot contribute to the team or possess the necessary situational awareness required for cave or technical training.

Who is this course for?

The GUE Technical Fundamentals course is for experienced divers who want to prepare for GUE technical, rebreather, or cave diving training.

What will I learn?

The course outcomes include:

• GUE equipment configuration and usage
• Trim and buoyancy
• Movement techniques, including backward kick
• Valve management (the course can only be conducted with a twin-tank configuration)
• Gas sharing
• Backup light deployment
• Introduction to basic rescue techniques and SMB deployment
• Ascent exercises to prepare for technical training

You will gain access to the GUE online learning platform, which you can use before the practical part of the course. This online learning system helps you learn what you don’t know, allowing you to study at your own pace. Your time with the instructor will then focus on practical diving skills.

This course complements any training you may have already received and will give you more confidence in your basic skills, even if you are not interested in further training. The course also covers theory and the use of Nitrox.

Requirements and Duration

Applicants for the GUE Technical Fundamentals program must:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Be physically and mentally fit
• Be a non-smoker
• Be able to swim
• Obtain written approval from a doctor for the use of prescription medications (other than contraceptives) or for any medical condition that may pose a risk when diving
• Hold a certification from a recognized dive organization that allows them to dive to a depth of 30 meters (100 ft), or have a GUE Deep Primer certification
• Have completed at least 75 non-training dives after certification as an autonomous diver, at least 25 of which must have been at a depth of 21 meters (70 ft) or deeper
• Have completed at least 25 non-training dives in a twin-tank configuration, or have completed at least 15 non-training dives with twin tanks after completing the GUE Doubles Primer certification
• If using a drysuit during the course, have at least 15 non-training dives in a drysuit, or have completed at least 10 non-training dives with a drysuit after completing the GUE Drysuit Primer certification

For a full list of course requirements, click here:
Technical Fundamentals Course Requirements

The GUE Technical Fundamentals course is typically conducted over four days. It requires at least eight dives and a minimum of 32 hours of in-class instruction, including land drills and underwater work. Additional time is required for theory (online and/or in-person).

At the instructor’s discretion, GUE Performance Divers and GUE Basic Fundamentals Divers may have part of their training credited toward the GUE Technical Fundamentals qualification.