A highly suitable name for the one that has consolidated over the years as the main pilar of GUE training.
The Fundamentals class is a mandatory step for all divers coming from the other agencies who want to refine atthe highest level all the basic recreational diving techniques, taking advantage of the well known efficacy of the DIR diving system. Furthermore, is a prerequisite for more advanced GUE training in Tech or Cave curriculum.

Behinde a such unconditional choice made by divers of all levels from the various training agencies there are so many reasons that one could write a book about…! Among the most significant ones definitely are:
– full and complete understanding/management of the DIR configuration, using both single or double tanks;
– NITROX training and related certification included (recognized elsewhere only as a specialty);
– “team of 3″ team-based dive management, including positioning and communication techniques, also by using a primary light with “Goodman” handle and 2 other reserve lights;
– correction/refinement of propulsion and maneuvering techniques, including helicopter-turn and back-kick;
– Surface Marker Buoyant management (skill unfortunately not required by general minimum standards but extremely important and mandatory in certain places!);
– special emphasis in the neutral buoyancy and horizontal trim control, ability often underestimated which must be strictly maintained during each skill performance and phase of in-water training.
– dive planning and management independent from dive-computer, taking various advantages;
– training in rescue techniques on the surface and from the bottom (real Rescue Training);
– use of the video support during the debriefing for an optimal self-evaluation and correction of weaknesses.

So here’s an exclusive recipe for a class that is seriously challenging not only for the Open Water divers with less experience and aiming at quality rather than certification, but also for the more experienced technical divers; these last are often certified at the highest levels by other agencies with gaps sometimes quite clear in the basic skills that inevitably arise during the GUE training.
The Fundamentals class, right in order to respond flexibly to a target group of students with several different needs/experiences, offers two different levels of certification: the Recreational Pass and the Technical Pass.
In the first case are sufficient the management of a single tank, a good buoyancy and trim control, proficient kick techniques while it is not necessary to handle a primary light.
Differently, the Fundamentals students seeking admittance to Tech1 or Cave1 classes will must meet the requirements for the Tech pass, using double cylinders with isolator manifold system, demonstrating even higher ability in buoyancy and trim control, highly efficient kick techniques and completing all the skills and drills in a more than satisfactory way while handling a primary light during the whole training.
In any case the Fundamentals class provides considerable margin for improvement for any diver certified at any level from another agency, who will learn to take advantage of some extremely effective means, resulting in more fun in any context while fully respecting the underwater environment.
You can consider this a promise!

PREREQUISITES

Be at least 16 years old.
To own an Open Water certification issued by a recognized training agency.
Be able to swim for 275m in less than 14’. To swim at least for 15m on a breath-hold.

CLASS SCHEDULE

The class takes place during at least 4-5 intensive days which include:
– 6 lectures; (Final exam, required at least 90% of correct answers)
– 10 “dry-run” sessions;
– 6 open water dives. In-water training provides a maximum instructor to students ratio of 1:4 and a max depth allowed of 18 meters within the limits of “minimum deco” while breathing Nitrox32. (The certification qualifies for dives up to 30m using Nitrox32 within the minimum deco limits).

TRAINING PROGRAM

Lectures:
- GUE Diver Training; GUE and Course Overview.
– Building a Solid Foundation.
– Dive Planning and Gas Management.
– Breathing Gas Dynamics.
– Decompression.
– Diving Safety and the GUE System.

Land Drills:
- Equipment fit and function.
– Gas analysis and cylinders marking.
– Pre-dive drills.
– Dive team protocols.
– Propulsion/maneuvering techniques.
– Basic 5 Scuba skills.
– Safety-Drill / Valve-Drill.
– Surface Marker Buoyant (SMB) deployment using a spool.
– Unconscious diver recovery from the bottom.

Required Dive Skills and Drills:
- Proficiency in safe diving techniques, including post-diving assessment.
– Team awareness and support, including positioning, communication and assisting. (Using a primary light with “Goodman” handle during the performance of all the abilities as a requirement for the Tech Pass)
– Proper management and understanding/awareness of the GUE equipment configuration.
– Buoyancy and trim control with minimum variations in any context. (Skills refined furthermore as a requirement for the Tech Pass)
– Proficiency in propulsion and maneuvering techniques. (Skills refined furthermore as a requirement for the Tech Pass)
– Regulator removal and replacement/exchange, long hose deployment.
– Mask removal, replacement and clearing.
– Comfortable demeanor while swimming without a mask, in touch contact.
– Proficient gas-sharing techniques in an out-of-gas diver scenario, using the long hose.
– Proficient execution of a Valve-Drill. (Using a doubles with isolator manifold system as a requirement for the Tech Pass)
– Surface Marker Buoyant (SMB) deployment while using a spool.
– Descent and ascent techniques, also in a gas-sharing scenario, while using an SMB.
– Basic 5 rescue skills on the surface.

EQUIPMENT

The full DIR configuration provides for each Fundamentals student:
– Single tank with single or Y/H valves, or double tanks with isolator manifold system. (Use of a doubles with isolator manifold system as a requirement for the Tech Pass)
– 1 or 2 first stages (depending on the valve’s system), main 2nd stage assembled on a long hose (1,6-2,1m) and back-up one retained by a necklace, pressure gauge.
– Rigid metal backplate with one-piece harness, crotch strap and 5 D-rings.
– Back mounted wing-style BC, minimalist and robust construction, free from any restrictive bands or “bungee” and properly sized basing on the cylinder volume(s).
– (Primary light with “Goodman” handle and two reserve lights mandatory as requirement for the Tech Pass).
– Low-volume mask, properly rigid fins (non-split).
– Proper kind/thickness exposure suit, based on the temperature and time of exposure.
– Time/Depth gauge (it is not necessary a dive computer).
– Surface Marker Buoyant (SMB) and spool with at least 30m of line.
– A cutting device and wet-notes, reserve mask.

TRAINING MATERIALS

Beside the training material provided in electronic version once applied to the class, there are two lectures strongly suggested to the students:
– “Doing it Right: The Fundamentals of Better Diving”. Jarrod Jablonski, GUE, 2001,High Springs, Florida.
– GUE Fundamentals Workbook.

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The GUE Recreational Diver Level 1 course is designed to develop the essential skills required for all sound diving practice. It helps the non-diver cultivate a platform that supports comfort, confidence, and competence in the water, as well as more advanced training in the future.

Prerequisites

Applicants for a Rec 1 course must:

1. Submit a completed registration form, a medical history, and a liability release to GUE Headquarters.
2. Be physically and mentally fit.
3. Hold insurance that will cover diving emergencies such as hyperbaric treatment, e.g. DAN Master-level insurance or equivalent.
4. Be a nonsmoker.
5. Obtain a physician’s prior written authorization for the use of prescription drugs, except for birth control, or for any prior medical condition that may pose a risk while diving.
6. Be a minimum of 16 years of age.

Course Content

The Recreational Diver Level 1 course is conducted over a minimum of five days, and includes fourteen dives and at least forty hours of instruction, encompassing classroom, land drills, and in-water work.

Rec 1 Specific Training Standards

1. Student-to-instructor ratio is not to exceed 8:1 during land drill or surface exercises; it is not to exceed 4:1 during any in-water training.
2. Can be run with one trainee.
3. Maximum depth 70 feet/21 meters.
4. No planned decompression.
5. No overhead diving.
6. No night diving.

Required Training Materials

GUE training materials and recommended reading as determined by the course study packet received via online download after GUE course registration.

Academic Topics

1. Introduction to Scuba Diving
2. Building a Solid Foundation
3. Exploring the Underwater World
4. Gas Management and Dive Planning
5. Decompression Dynamics
6. Diving Safety the GUE system

Land Drills & Topics

1. Equipment fit and function
2. Dive team protocols
3. Analyze and mark cylinders
4. Pre-dive drills
5. Basic 5 scuba skills
6. S-drill
7. Propulsion techniques
8. Surface-marker buoydeployment
9. Straight line compass navigation

Required Dive Skills & Drills

1. Must be able to swim at least 300 yards/275 meters in under fourteen minutes without stopping. This test should be conducted in a swimsuit and, where necessary, appropriate thermal protection.
2. Must be able to swim a distance of at least 50 feet/15 meters on a breath hold while submerged.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in safe diving techniques, including pre-dive preparations, in-water activity, and post-dive assessments.
4. Demonstrate awareness of team member location and a concern for safety, responding quickly to visual indications and dive partner needs.
5. Efficiently and comfortably demonstrate how to donate gas to an out-of-gas diver followed by an ascent to the surface, utilizing minimum decompression.
6. Comfortably demonstrate at least two propulsion techniques that would be appropriate in delicate and/or silty environments; students should demonstrate comprehension of the components necessary for a successful backward kick.
7. Demonstrate a safe and responsible demeanor throughout all training.
8. Demonstrate reasonable proficiency in the ability to deploy a surface marker buoy while utilizing a spool.
9. Demonstrate good buoyancy and trim, i.e. approximate reference is a maximum of 30 degrees off horizontal while remaining within 5 feet/1.5 meters of a target depth.
10. Demonstrate proficiency in underwater communication.
11. Demonstrate basic equipment proficiency and an understanding of the GUE equipment configuration.
12. Demonstrate aptitude in the following open-water skills: mask clearing, mask removal and replacement, regulator removal and exchange, long hose deployment.
13. Demonstrate safe ascent and descent procedures.
14. Demonstrate proficiency in the basic 5 rescue techniques.

Equipment Requirements

GUE base configuration as outlined in Appendix A.

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. Please contact a GUE representative prior to making any purchases. Information about recommended equipment can be obtained from the equipment considerations section of GUE’s Web site.

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The PADI Tec Trimix Diver course takes you to the outer edges of technical deep diving, opening the door to pristine dive sites few divers – if any – ever see.

Get College Credit

You may be able to earn college credit for the Tec Trimix Diver Course.

What You Learn

The PADI Tec Trimix Diver course is intended to extend the depth range of technical divers already trained and qualified to use air, enriched air and oxygen for technical decompression dives beyond 50 metres/165 feet. Diving with trimix is the outer edge of tec diving – the maximum depth for using this technology has yet to be defined.

This course is for Tec 50 or Tec Trimix 65 (or those holding a qualifying certification from another training organization). The course extends your depth range capabilities by training you to use trimix (a blend of helium, oxygen and nitrogen).

You will
• Plan and execute between three to eight dives (depending upon whether you enter the course as a Tec 50 diver or Tec Trimix 65 diver) using EANX and trimix blends
• Use decompression software to create custom dive tables and dive plans
• Make training dives as deep as 90 metres/300feet

The Scuba Gear You’ll Use

• Double cylinders (minimum 12 litre/70 cubic feet each, with larger preferred) with isolator manifold
• Primary and secondary regulators, one with two metre/seven foot hose (approximately) for gas sharing, and one with SPG
• Stage/decompression cylinders with regulator, SPG, mounting hardware and proper labeling/markings. Two per diver will be required
• Backup decompression cylinders as appropriate and required for the environment
• BCD and harness – redundant buoyancy control is required (double bladder BCD or dry suit if suitable for weight of equipment worn)
• Depth gauge/computer and backup depth gauge/computer
• Timing device and backup timing device
• Trimix decompression information (tables/trimix computer) and backup decompression information
• Exposure suit appropriate for environment and dive duration. (If you use a dry suit, you should be trained/experienced with its use in recreational and technical diving prior to using it for trimix training or diving.)
• Argon dry suit inflation or other inflation system as needed
• Weight system (if needed)
• Jon line (if needed for current diving environments)
• Inflatable signal tube
• Reel
• Lift bag (bright yellow or per local community practice preferred)
• Dive knife / cutting device and backup slate, backup mask (optional)
• Compass, lights (optional)
• Drift kit (if drift decompressing)

The Learning Materials You’ll Need

Tec Trimix Diver Crew- Pak

The Tec Trimix Diver Crew-Pak includes all required materials,  including: manual, deep stop calculation table, trimix decal and emergency procedures slate.

Topics covered include:
* Trimix diving depth ranges
* Exposure planning
* Selecting a mix
* Argon inflation systems
* Handling three or four decompression cylinders
* Decompression models
* Emergency procedures
* Face masks and multi-gas computers.

To purchase this product, contact your local PADI Instructor, dive shop or resort.

Prerequisites

You must

• Be a PADI Rescue Diver (or hold a qualifying certification from another organization and having proof of CPR and first aid training with the previous two years)
• Be certified as a Tec 50 or Tec Trimix 65 (or those holding a qualifying certification from another training organization)
• Be at least 18 years old
• Have logged at least 150 dives
• Have a medical form signed by your physician

The post Tec Trimix Diver Course appeared first on Explorers Team.

They can dive to a maximum depth of 65 metres/210 feet.

What You’ll Learn

The PADI Tec Trimix 65 course is intended to extend the depth range of technical divers already trained and qualified to use air, enriched air and oxygen for technical decompression dives beyond 50 metres /165 feet.

This course is for Tec 50 divers (or those holding a qualifying certification from another training organization). The course extends your depth range capabilities by training you to use trimix (a blend of helium, oxygen and nitrogen).

You will:
• Plan and execute at least five dives using EANx and trimix blends
• Use decompression software to create custom dive tables and dive plans
• Make training dives as deep as 65 metres/210 feet

Scuba Gear You’ll Use

• Double cylinders (minimum 12 litre/70 cubic feet each, with larger preferred) with isolator manifold
• Primary and secondary regulators, one with two metre/seven foot hose (approximately) for gas sharing, and one with SPG
• Stage/decompression cylinders with regulator, SPG, mounting hardware and proper labeling/markings. Two per diver will be required
• Backup decompression cylinders as appropriate and required for the environment
• BCD and harness – redundant buoyancy control is required (double bladder BCD or dry suit if suitable for weight of equipment worn)
• Depth gauge/computer and backup depth gauge/computer
• Timing device and backup timing device
• Trimix decompression information (tables/trimix computer) and backup decompression information
• Exposure suit appropriate for environment and dive duration. (If you use a dry suit, you should be trained/experienced with its use in recreational and technical diving prior to using it for trimix training or diving.)
• Argon dry suit inflation or other inflation system as needed
• Weight system (if needed)
• Jon line (if needed for current diving environments)
• Inflatable signal tube
• Reel
• Lift bag (bright yellow or per local community practice preferred)
• Dive knife / cutting device and backup slate, backup mask (optional)
• Compass, lights (optional)
• Drift kit (if drift decompressing)

Learning Materials You’ll Need

Tec Trimix Diver Crew-Pak

The Tec Trimix Diver Crew-Pak includes all required materials,  including: manual, deep stop calculation table, trimix decal and emergency procedures slate.

Topics covered include:
* Trimix diving depth ranges
* Exposure planning
* Selecting a mix
* Argon inflation systems
* Handling three or four decompression cylinders
* Decompression models
* Emergency procedures
* Face masks and multi-gas computers.

To purchase this product, contact your local PADI Instructor, dive shop or resort.

Prerequisites

You must

• Be a PADI Rescue Diver (or hold a qualifying certification from another organization and having proof of CPR and first aid training with the previous two years).
• Be certified as a Tec 50 (or hold a qualifying certification from another organization)
• Be at least 18 years old
• Have logged at least 100 dives
• Have a medical form signed by your physician.

The post Tec Trimix 65 Course appeared first on Explorers Team.

What You’ll Learn

During the Tec 50 course, you

• Make actual decompression dives as deep as 50 metres/165 feet
• Use enriched air nitrox and/or oxygen for decompression
• Use desk top decompression software to create custom dive tables and plan your dives
• Qualify to make technical decompression dives independently

Get College Credit

You may be able to earn college credit for the PADI Tec 50 Course.

The Scuba Gear You’ll Use

You use technical scuba diving equipment

The Learning Materials You’ll Need

The Tec Deep Diver Crew-Pak, which introduces you to tec diving lingo, emergency procedures, decompression and stage cylinder handling and gas planning. The pak includes a manual, dive planning checklist and dive planning slate. The optionalEquipment Set-up and Key Skills video on DVD is a great tool to help you practice at home in between your tec diving adventures.

To purchase this product, contact your local PADI Instructor, dive shop or resort.

Prerequisites

You must:

• Be a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or hold a qualifying certification from another organization)
• Be a PADI Rescue Diver (or hold a qualifying certification from another organization)
• Be a PADI Enriched Air Diver (or hold a qualifying certification from another organization)
• DSAT Tec 45 Diver (or hold a qualifying certification from another organization)
• Have a minimum of 100 logged dives, of which
  · 20 dives must be enriched air dives deeper than 18 metres/60 feet
  · at least 15 dives must be deeper than 30 metres/100 feet
• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a medical statement signed by your physician

The post Tec 50 Course appeared first on Explorers Team.

What You Learn

• The skills and equipment and planning need to dive to a maximum of 45 metres/145 feet
• The knowledge to plan and execute single and repetitive decompression dives using a single stage cylinder of EANx or oxygen to accelerate or add conservatism to the decompression stops.
• There would be no time limit to amount of decompression
• Prepare for and respond to foreseeable technical diving emergencies
• Master the basic skills and procedures you’ll need as you move into deeper technical diving

The Scuba Gear You Use

You use basic tec diving equipment

The Learning Materials You Need

You’ll use the Tec Deep Diver Crew-Pak, which introduces you to

• tec diving lingo
• emergency procedures
• decompression and stage cylinder handling
• gas planning

The pak includes a manual, dive planning checklist and dive planning slate. The optional Equipment Set-up and Key Skills video on DVD is a great tool to help you practice at home in between your tec diving adventures. You’ll continue to use the Tec Deep Diver Crew-Pak through the Tec 50 course.

Prerequisites

You must be

• A PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or hold a qualifying certification from another organization)
• A PADI Rescue Diver (or hold a qualifying certification from another organization)
• A PADI Enriched Air Diver (or hold a qualifying certification from another organization)
• A PADI Deep Diver (or hold aqualifying certification from another organization)
• PADI Tec 40 (or hold a qualifying certification from another organization)
• Have a minimum of 50 logged dives, of which at least:
  – 12 dives were made with enriched air nitrox deeper than 18 metres/60 feet
  – 6 (with or without EANx) dives were deeper than 30 metres/100 feet
• At least 18 years old
• Have a medical statement signed by a physician

The post Tec 45 Course appeared first on Explorers Team.

You’ll learn to

• Use decompression software and dive computers to plan and make decompression dives with no more than 10 minutes of total decompression and not deeper than 40 metres/130 feet.
• Use a single cylinder of decompression gas with up to 50 percent oxygen (EANx50) to add conservatism to the required decompression.

Since it’s part of the course, your PADI Tec 40 course training credits toward the PADI Tec 45 and Tec 50 courses.

The Scuba Gear You’ll Use

You use recreational scuba equipment, with some minor additions to enhance your ability to deal with tec diving conditions.

The Learning Materials You’ll Need

You’ll use the Tec Deep Diver Crew-Pak, which introduces you to

• tec diving lingo
• emergency procedures
• decompression and stage cylinder handling
• gas planning

The pak includes a manual, dive planning checklist and dive planning slate. The optional Equipment Set-up and Key Skills video on DVD is a great tool to help you practice at home in between your tec diving adventures. You’ll continue to use the Tec Deep Diver Crew-Pak through Tec 50.

Prerequisites

You must:

• Be a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or hold a qualifying certification from another organization)
• Be a PADI Enriched Air Diver (or hold a qualifying certification from another organization)
• Be a PADI Deep Diver (or hold a qualifying certification from another organization)
• Have a minimum of 30 logged dives, of which at least 10 dives were made with enriched air nitrox deeper than 18 metres / 60 feet.
• Have a medical form signed by your physician

The post Tec 40 Course appeared first on Explorers Team.

You tell your students to aim for PADI Master Scuba Diver. You also want to tell them that you can take them all the way there because you’re a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT).

The Fun Part

The Master Scuba Diver Trainer rating sets you apart from other dive instructors by showing your commitment to continuing your dive training and being prepared to help others continue their training as well. You also get to teach specialty diver courses – which opens the door to lots of fun while working.

What You Learn

You’re a new instructor? Just finished the IE? No problem. See your Course Director for PADI Specialty Instructor Training and the Master Scuba Diver Trainer Prep Course.

As a PADI MSDT, you demonstrate to a dive employer that you have good experience in teaching diving and also can teach a range of specialty diver courses. This makes a dive center or resort more likely to offer you a position.

What You Can Teach

As a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, you

• Teach the specialties you love to teach
• Enjoy watching your student divers excel as you lead them from PADI Open Water Diver to PADI Master Scuba Diver
• Increase your income with multiple level training
• Meet one of the requirements to qualify as a PADI Master Instructor

At a glance, compare what you can teach when you continue your professional diver education.

The Scuba Gear You Use

You will need to equip yourself with all the basic scuba gear as well as some scuba accessories.

It is highly recommended and expected that, as a diver of this level, you own your own scuba equipment. You can find most everything at your local dive shop

Prerequisites

• To qualify as a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, you must
• Be a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
• Have five PADI Specialty Instructor certifications
• Have certified at least 25 PADI Divers

If you’re considering entering the realm of technical dive instruction, then the MSDT will be useful. You must be a MSDT to become an instructor in Tec 50 Diver or the DSAT Trimix Diver courses.

If you are looking for information on where to go pro, please contact your PADI Instructor Development Center or Career Development Center and sign-up today.

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Maximize your dive time so you can explore more!

In this course, you learn how to plan dives that extend your bottom time by crediting you for slower nitrogen absorption when you ascend to a shallower depth. That’s the way you really dive, after all.

The Fun Part

This is a great way to learn how to make multilevel dives even if you forget to bring your dive computer.

What You Learn

You’ll learn what multilevel diving is and why you want to plan for multilevel dives. You’ll also get to see the various types of multilevel dive calculators (including dive computers), as well as learn about multilevel dive planning, organization, procedures, techniques, and potential problems. You’ll plan a multilevel dive profile and dive it with your PADI Instructor.

You learn how to:

• Plan and execute multilevel dives (different depths on the same dive)
• Back up your dive computer and plan multilevel dives
• Maximize your no stop time

To purchase learning materials and equipment, contact your local PADI dive shop or resort

Your Next Adventure

Multilevel diving is often conducted while deep diving or wreck diving. Multilevel diving combined with Enriched Air Nitrox provides the longest no stop dive times possible.

The post Multilevel Diver appeared first on Explorers Team.

The PADI Drift Diver Specialty course introduces you to the coolest magic carpet ride you’ll ever experience. This course shows you how to enjoy rivers and ocean currents by “going with the flow,” staying with your dive partner, communicating with the dive boat and knowing where you are the whole time.

The Fun Part

Drift Diving is nearly effortless and relaxing. You simply glide along and enjoy the rush of flying underwater while the current does the work.

What You Learn

During your PADI Drift Diver certification course, you learn about:

• Planning, organization, procedures, techniques, problems and hazards of drift diving
• An introduction to drift diving equipment — floats, lines, reels
• Buoyancy-control, navigation and communication for drift diving
• Site selection and overview of aquatic currents – causes and effects
• Techniques for staying close to a buddy or together as a group

To purchase learning materials and equipment, contact your local PADI dive shop or resort

Your Next Adventure

The Diver Propulsion Vehicle course introduces you to scuba diving with underwater scooters, which can come in handy while drift diving.

The post Drift Diver appeared first on Explorers Team.