Question GUE - Is it much different to traditional agencies like SSI or PADI?

[JoeTPhilly]

But you are right that the Fundies-T1-T2/CCR1 training progression is for w*nkers with current helium prices.

My bad, I meant Fundies -> T1 -> CCR or T2. Still, from what I can tell at least on UK boats, most divers who plan to dive deeper wrecks simply skipped the GUE route completely (including myself). Incredibly few divers can afford to get the trimix experience dives and the rest simply fake it - by calling a 30 meter dive with 10 minutes of deco a "T1" dive.

It looks like GUE is making some changes because of the price of helium:

“For now, GUE has approved the opportunity for waiver of the 25 deep experience dives after Tech 1 training, greatly reducing the cost of gasses needed for progression to the CCR1 program,” Jablonski told InDEPTH, meaning that GUE divers can take their CCR1 course directly after completing Tech 1. “The waiver is case-dependent and not compulsory for a given instructor, but can be a useful stop-gap measure while GUE formalizes an optimal path forward given all the variables involved.”

Linked is the article. The Helium Outlook

 

[grantmac]

It seems to me that requiring a certain number of decompression dives (possibly with a minimum amount of decompression to qualify) without a specific depth requirement could be a path towards cementing skills while avoiding excessive gas costs.