GUE Fundies For New Diver

[kevindwhite]

The Primer Class, not fundies.

I thought about the Primer class. According to the published schedule there is exactly one Primer class left this year, 12/11. I should talk to the instructor of the course before proceeding. I am in Utah so I must travel for these classes and LA is the closest training location. The grunt/grin on a one day trip to LA is pretty high, 11 hours driving each way, but it will certainly cost less than a full week.

 

[Scott L]

I thought about the Primer class. According to the published schedule there is exactly one Primer class left this year, 12/11. I should talk to the instructor of the course before proceeding. I am in Utah so I must travel for these classes and LA is the closest training location. The grunt/grin on a one day trip to LA is pretty high, 11 hours driving each way, but it will certainly cost less than a full week.

Well luckily you had one of GUE's top instructors chime in with his advice so not too worry about my thoughts. I am sure he probably looked at your athletic background as a guide to course selection. You may also wish to join GUE.com and download their new 503 page rec manual. Great resource. Good luck!

 

[Rainer]

The schedule of classes on the GUE website don't paint a full picture of what's available. A class can easily be set up for another time if you and a few buddies can get something organized. Talk with prospective instructors about what works best for your schedule.

As for the GUE-F class in Dec in LA, I know a few of the divers signed up already. It's going to be a mix of newer and more experienced divers, most of whom have had no/little exposure to GUE/DIR. Your best bet is to talk with both Bob and Steve about what class (GUE-F or Primer) would best suit your needs.

As others have already mentioned, neither doubles nor a drysuit are required to take the class.

 

[kevindwhite]

The schedule of classes on the GUE website don't paint a full picture of what's available. A class can easily be set up for another time if you and a few buddies can get something organized.

Good suggestion. I have asked my buddies and no one is interested. The Wasatch Front appears to be a GUE dead zone. I did talk to one instructor at a LDS that trains a large number of technical divers. I received a 10 minute lecture on the evils of GUE followed by five minutes of why I should enroll in their classes.

There is one listed GUE fundamentals instructor in the state. To my knowledge he does not teach GUE at all. I did try to contact him a while back through his affiliated dive shop but received no response.

talk with both Bob and Steve about what class (GUE-F or Primer) would best suit your needs.

I emailed Bob some questions. I don't want to bother someone on the weekend. I will follow up later in the week. I should call the Primer instructor as well.

Honestly the Primer class is looking like a great option right now. I won't have to take off work and I will certainly learn some basic skills. Once done, I can decide when and where to take the fundies class. I am sure the Primer class will make fundies more enjoyable as well.

 

[Scott]

NVM I just read you tried contacting Garth

 

[kevindwhite]

NVM I just read you tried contacting Garth

Yep. I will try again though. I realize people are busy and for most instructors teaching scuba is not their primary job.

 

[boulderjohn]

It is never too early to begin to build good habits, ...

I have taken up a lot of sports-related activities in my lifetime, and in almost all of them I have tried to learn and practice on my own before getting competent instruction. In each case, unlearning bad habits acquired through my self-teaching phase was the hardest thing to do once I started getting proper instruction.

I have never seen a benefit to ingraining poor technique before learning good technique, despite the many SB posters who say the opposite.

 

[kevindwhite]

The plan right now is to call tomorrow about a primer course either local or in LA with the possibility of attending a fundamentals course at a later date. The primer class is the least cost way to settle my concern about whether or not I am ready for the fundamentals class. I would hate to spend two days traveling and four days lodging only to discover I made the wrong choice. This approach that fits best with my stepwise approach to any important endeavor. Once finished with primer I can make an informed decision about when and where to take the fundamentals class.

My thanks to everyone for your advice.

 

[UCFKnightDiver]

I have taken up a lot of sports-related activities in my lifetime, and in almost all of them I have tried to learn and practice on my own before getting competent instruction. In each case, unlearning bad habits acquired through my self-teaching phase was the hardest thing to do once I started getting proper instruction.

I have never seen a benefit to ingraining poor technique before learning good technique, despite the many SB posters who say the opposite.

You can aquire good habits with a good mentor.

 

[boulderjohn]

You can aquire good habits with a good mentor.

And you can acquire bad habits with a bad Mentor.

How does a new diver know the difference?