GUE DIR Fundamentals course is designed to cultivate the essential techniques required by all sound diving practice, irrespective of level or environment. A prerequisite for all other GUE classes, DIR Fundamentals provides a) the recreational diver, the opportunity to advance his or her basic diving skills, developing more comfort, confidence and competence in the water and b) the diver with more advanced inspirations, the higher edge in completion and likelihood of success for further technical training.

Prerequisites

1.       Must meet GUE General Course Prerequisites as outlined in Section 1.6.

2.       Must be a minimum age of 16 years of age.

3.       Must be a certified open water diver from a recognized training agency.

4.       Must be able to swim a distance of at least 15 meters on a breath hold.

5.       Must be able to swim at least 275 meters in less than 14 minutes without stopping.

 Course Content

The DIR Fundamentals course is normally conducted over a 3-evenings classroom lectures, a practical (pool) session and a weekender open-water dive trip. This course focuses on cultivating the foundational skills required by all diving practice. It is focused on increasing diving fun by reducing stress and increasing diver proficiency through proper control of buoyancy, trim, propulsion, teamwork, and other DIR principles.

Academic Topics

 Equipment Requirements

1.     Tanks/Cylinders: Students may use dual tanks/cylinders connected with a dual outlet isolator manifold, which     allows for the use of two first stages. Students may also use a single tank/cylinder with a K, H, or Y valve.

2.     Regulators: One of the second stages must be on a 5-foot to 7-foot/1.5-meter to 2-meter hose. One of the first stages must supply a pressure gauge and provide inflation for a dry suit (where applicable)

3.     Back plate System: A rigid and flat platform, of metal construction with minimal padding, held to a diver by one continuous piece of nylon webbing.

4.     Buoyancy Compensation Device: A diver's buoyancy compensation device should be back-mounted and minimalist in nature.  

5.     Decompression tables.

6.     At least one depth-measuring device.

7.     At least one timekeeping device.

8.     Mask and fins: Mask should be low volume; fins should rigid, non-split.

9.     At least one cutting device.

10.   Wet Notes.

11.   One spool, with 100 feet/30 meters of line per diver.

12.   One surface marker.

13.   Exposure suit appropriate for the duration of exposure.

Note: Prior to the commencement of class, students should consult with a Living Seas representative to verify equipment requirements. It is better for the student to learn while using his or her own equipment but we do have rental sets available upon request.

Complete course Standards & Procedures can be found at GUE's website. click here