GUE Fundies vs UTD Extreme Scuba Upgrade

[EireDiver606]

So... you're saying you think UTD is better than GUE? I mean, I'm pretty sure JS is supposed to be the rightful king...

well I meant how he was treated as a bastard by his sisters and mother. Not a great comparison now that I think of it. JS is a badass. So if I say UTD is badass, then what’s GUE? Dead except for three people... (spoilers).

Back on topic, I think the OP should consider GUE as it’s the forefather agency and is more widely recognised but if he has a UTD shop or instructor that is good near him, he should obviously make informative choices in that regard and not solely go for for GUE. Even though I would after my experience.

 

[Dan_P]

The correct equivalents would be UTD Essentials and GUE Fundamentals (days)
Extreme Scuba Makeover - ESM - is a much smaller workshop (hours)
(ESM is very valuable, but different scope than the prior).

I think you’re in for a treat either way, and at the Essentials/Foundational level, both will move you a great deal, probably as much as you can comfortably tolerate, on core skills.

With UTD, you’re also learning RD, and you have the option of Z-System sidemount in addition to backmount (single- or double tank).

We can have a conversation about sidemount or rebreather philosophy, but the focus of the courses in question is mainly trim, propulsion, bouyancy and situational awareness.

I think that’s an important point to make.

However, I would challenge you to do the Extreme Scuba Makeover first as a taster, and see what you think of it.