DIR- Generic Learn to Dive (Rec 1) with GUE in Florida - July 6-11, 2023

[mer]

Rec 1 classes seem to be in short supply in the USA, and we have one seat in a Florida class, July 6-11, 2023.

Come Learn to Dive with GUE! Have a friend you've been wanting to get into the sport?
Class will be taught by Dave Watson from San Diego and supported by Mer Tanguay/Wet Rocks Diving of High Springs.

Live online learning (via Zoom) starts in evenings on July 2 and 3.
Starting July 6, the first 4 days will be held in the freshwater springs of the High Springs FL area, just north of Gainesville. Lodging is available.
The morning of the 5th day the class will travel to Panama City to do two 2-tank boat charters in the ocean with Big Blue, which caters to GUE divers.
Class is capped at 3 students and only one seat remains.

For more information or to grab this last seat, please email me directly at mer AT gue DOT com

 

[overthinking_diver]

Can you talk a bit about the differences between Rec 1 and Fundamentals? In what situations would you recommend a certified diver take Rec 1 instead of Fundamentals?

Assume a totally hypothetical situation in which a diver took Fundamentals, in the tech configuration, and performed about as well as a tone def person auditioning for a Broadway show would .

In your opinion, should this person just retake it in the same configuration after some practice dives, retake it in a single tank or start as simple as possible and take Rec 1?

 

[mer]

Can you talk a bit about the differences between Rec 1 and Fundamentals? In what situations would you recommend a certified diver take Rec 1 instead of Fundamentals?

Assume a totally hypothetical situation in which a diver took Fundamentals, in the tech configuration, and performed about as well as a tone def person auditioning for a Broadway show would .

In your opinion, should this person just retake it in the same configuration after some practice dives, retake it in a single tank or start as simple as possible and take Rec 1?

Please pardon the delayed response, I've been teaching all week and on the road.

While there is a lot of skills overlap between Rec 1 and Fundamentals, Rec 1 is a course designed for the non-diver or for someone who has had a multi-year layoff from diving.

Rec 1 is 5-6 days depending on the instructor a site logistics, Fundamentals is typically 4 days. Rec 1 is kinda (but not exactly) 2 days of how to scuba, plus Fundamentals. The learning curve for the Fundamentals skills covered by both courses is different for the OW-certified diver training in Fundamentals vs the non-diver training in Rec 1.

If you need assistance with assembling scuba gear, the techniques used to mask clear and/or equalize, basic dive physics, comfort clearing a water-filled regulator, comfort switching between long hose and necklace, or operation of the BC, then Rec 1 is a good course. If you have the basics down as offered by almost every industry OW course, then Fundamentals (either Part 1 or the full course) should be your path.

@overthinking_diver Opinions will vary from instructor to instructor; but, I'm a fan of students taking Fundamentals in the exposure protection (wet vs dry) and tank (single vs double) that they have been diving... in other words, no significant changes to exposure protection and tank configuration for the course or immediately before the course. I'd suggest that you get some dives in incorporating the feedback from your prior Fundies class, then reach out to an instructor for a day of coaching to see if you're ready to sign up for another class.