WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?
The GUE Fundamentals course is by far GUE’s most popular program. It functions as a gateway into GUE training and it is an excellent way to personally experience what GUE is all about.
Some divers use the Fundamentals course as a way to improve on the less-than-optimal training they have received during traditional fast-track entry-level courses. Others see the course as a ticket to participate in GUE projects and activities. Many technical divers and even experienced instructors from other organizations use the course to improve basic skills and gain access to GUE’s cave and tech-training. It is not uncommon to have divers with very diverse backgrounds in the same class, which makes this course completely unique in the diving industry. Everybody will benefit, regardless of their current level of certification or experience. Graduating this course with a pass is something to be proud of, as the quality of a GUE Fundamentals diver is recognized all over the diving world.
For many non-GUE divers, the Fundamentals course is an “aha!” moment where everything falls into place. The standardized equipment configuration and standardized procedures are only a small part of the big picture. Realizing how a team-oriented approach can free up resources and increase situational awareness that can be used to maximize safety, efficiency, and fun is often a life-changing moment for Fundamentals students, and they walk away from the course with a completely new approach to diving.
Historically, the Fundamentals course was created to make sure that divers who showed up for more advanced training in GUE’s cave and tech courses were not struggling with basic diving skills. A solid diving platform is based on balance, trim, buoyancy and propulsion techniques. It is pointless to begin more advanced training before mastering these basic aspects of diving. It will only lead to over task loading, stress, and poorly-learned skills. Divers who struggle with personal skills will not be able to contribute to the team, nor will they have the required level of situational awareness needed in cave or tech training.
WHO IS IT FOR?
The GUE Fundamentals course provides all divers with an opportunity to advance basic diving skills. It provides the non-GUE trained divers (divers who are already certified with another recognized diving agency) with a gateway into GUE training.
It is a prerequisite for all GUE courses (apart from entry-level courses, Drysuit and Doubles primers).
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
Course outcomes include, but are not limited to: GUE equipment configuration and use, trim and buoyancy, propulsion techniques including backwards kick, valve management (the course can be done using a single tank or with a double tank configuration), gas sharing, and SMB deployment.
This course will supplement training that divers may have already received and will give them more confidence in their basic skills even if they do not desire to go on for more advanced training. The course also includes the theory and use of nitrox.
PREREQUISITES AND DURATION :
Applicants for a GUE Fundamentals program must:
- Be a minimum of 16 years of age.
- Be physically and mentally fit.
- Be a non-smoker.
- Be able to swim.
- Hold an autonomous diving certification (i.e. Open Water Diver)
- Obtain a physician’s prior written authorization for use of prescription drugs, except for birth control, or for any medical condition that may pose a risk while diving.
- Be certified, at a minimum, as an autonomous entry-level scuba diver (or equivalent) from a recognized training agency.
- For a full list of course prerequisites, click here.
The Fundamentals course is normally conducted over four days; it requires at least six dives and at least 30 hours of instruction and encompasses classroom time, land drills, and in-water work
Dive Alaska is pleased to offer a resident instructor in Ron Fancher! Having an instructor in-house means that we can offer more flexible training that fits your schedule, while eliminating the need to fly in instructors from out-of-state. It also means that any additional training that takes place is offered with regular frequency.
In 2025, GUE updated their standards to make the Fundamentals curriculum more accessible for divers brand-new to the GUE system, and streamline the progression between different Fundamentals levels. This included delineating between Basic and Technical Fundamentals.
A fully-detailed description of the courses can be found on GUE’s website, and a complete list of prerequisites for all the Fundamentals curriculum can be found in GUE Standards 10.1.
Links to the individual course pages on GUE’s website are included in the headers below.
GUE Basic Fundamentals:
Duration: 3 Days (+ 1 Classroom Day)
Cost: $1,250 (+$95 registration, paid to GUE)
Course-Specific Prerequisites: 15 non-training dives in a drysuit (full prerequisites available here)
Who Is It For: Anyone looking for an introduction to the GUE system, looking to improve diving control, stability, team-work, awareness, and fundamental knowledge and skill diving, etc.
GUE Technical Fundamentals (Standalone Course):
Duration: 4 Days (+ 1 Classroom Day)
Tuition Cost: $1,675 (+$95 registration, paid to GUE)
Course-Specific Prerequisites: 15 non-training dives in a drysuit; Advanced Open Water or higher certification; at least 75 logged dives (full perquisites available here)
Who Is It For: Experienced divers with strong in-water control and experience; those looking to achieve a high level of competency and mastery of team-based, performance diving.
GUE Technical Fundamentals (Upgrade):
Duration: 1 or 2 Days (+ 1/2 Classroom Day)
Tuition Cost: $425 per day, classroom day is free (no registration cost, if taken within 6 months of Recreational Fundamentals)
Course-Specific Prerequisites: A “provisional”, or “pass” rating in a GUE Basic Fundamentals Course
Who Is It For: Divers who have taken a Basic Fundamentals class, and either passed, or received a provisional, who are ready to prepare for more advanced diving, be that technical, cave, or more advanced recreational diving.
What Is Included in Course Tuition
Instruction tuition for Fundamentals includes: pool rental, gas fills, tank rentals, classroom, and other course-related expenses.
Gear rental outside of tanks and fills, including gear rental, food, lodging, transportation and dive site access fees are the responsibility of the individual diver.
Tuition is due at time of booking, and is non-refundable 45 days out. Full course payment is due 30 days prior to class, and is non-refundable upon payment. In the event there is a cancellation or you are unable to attend a course, all efforts will be made to fill the vacant spot, but this is not a guarantee that the spot will be filled.
Scheduling and More
All GUE Fundamentals courses must be conducted with a minimum of two divers, and a maximum of three. This is to ensure learning is dynamic and realistic, while still focusing feedback and instruction to a “team” of divers, and not necessarily a class.
The easiest way to schedule a class is to find one or two dive buddies interested in the course, and find accommodating dates. Groups of two or three looking to schedule a Fundamentals class are almost immediately put on the calendar.
Don’t have a buddy? No problem! Shoot us a call, and we are happy to schedule a class for you, and fill it with another buddy. However, if we can’t secure a second teammate, or if somebody drops out and we are unable to fill the spot, it may mean that the class cannot run, and we would need to reschedule the course.