You see this is my the mars spaceship crashed…. It’s only 15m/50ft. But than again how to make people smash the standard lol Sure my instructor said 25m and 500m in 14mins was the standard for Instructor
"Growth doesn't happen in your comfort zone. It's only when you push yourself to your limits and then beyond that, you truly improve." Truer words have never been spoken. Thank you !!
I plan to do the fundamental course in 2025 or early 2026, same as you : single tank and rec pass. So ty for your feedback, it’s really helpful and motivated!
I'm glad this video was helpful, and I hope the course goes great! The right mindset is to go in not caring about a pass or fail but just taking as much as you can out of it. You'll stress about it less and enjoy it more!
As a 72 year old who has signed up to get Open Water Certified, I have yet to come across a video that focuses solely on what kind of exercises divers do (other than swimming). I'm just curious what sorts of things you all do to stay in shape for diving. Thanks and thanks for your videos they are extremely helpful.
This is anecdotal, but I personally find low impact zone 1 and 2 training to be the best. Scuba diving should be low aerobic mostly, so training that system works well. You can do this with long but slow jogs fairly frequently, slow swims, fast walking, rucking with a backpack with some weight, or hiking up hill. Basically, you're moving but not working your high aerobic system. A lot of folk don't realize this is a different energy system in the body, and I don't realize it also needs to be exercised to be strong. It also is something anyone can do regardless of age as it helps a lot with keeping stability too.
@@itravelwiselythanks for your response. I walk 7 miles a day and ruck 45lbs for 3 miles then rearrange the weight for the last 4 miles and swim twice a week. I also climb a ladder 20 times with the 45 pounds twice a week. I don’t run at my age but use an exercise bike 30 min 3 times a week but getting this information is important to me. Thanks
@@itravelwisely well really it was out of total embarrassment when I took a "try me" class and couldn't get out of the pool. My instructor had to help me remove my BCD so I could get out of the water. I realized if I was to continue I couldn't be putting others lives at risk (or my own) because I wasn't physically prepared. I did Google the issue beforehand and came away with "you should be in good CV health" and maybe lift some weights and felt at least walking 7 miles a day should be good enough, but obviously it wasn't. The rucking thing wasn't listed as a way to prepare for SCUBA (and I am so happy you mentioned it) but when I came across it I thought it would address my core and quad weakness and I could do it at the same time as walking. The other thing I did was get my own open-end fins and boots because without them I doubt even with all the exercise I would be able to climb a pool (or boat) ladder. I took the class again and had a much better experience. Thanks and keep up posting the great videos.
GUE is restructuring its courses and now there will be a level below fundies, wich will work without a drysuit and doubles (fundies standards go even higher in the meantime)... As a not really experienced diver, I asked when should I take it. They said "the sooner the better"... Well, next weekend we will see if I can complete that course with a shy ~10 dives :D Let's find out... (Disclaimer, I'm seeking the knowledge, not the card, and as a landlocked person with not many lakes or quarries, any diving is good diving :) )
That's the right mindset! I have no doubts you will have a good experience and grow faster than you would have without it. Probably easier to jump straight to it, in terms of gear costs as the standard gear that you get for the course is a good setup for most. Interesting to hear about the course restructuring! I didn't hear about that. Sounds like some massive changes coming!
@@itravelwisely New standards dropping this week according to my instructor, we are eagerly waiting to see what I'll need to be able to do :) I'm PADI AOWD (Which means like... nothing really IMO), during that I had the luck to dive with BPW setup (and was much more comfortable and easier to operate for me than a jacket), so in theory the only new piece of equipment will be the long hose setup. All the gear I have is my mask, boots and a pair of apeks RK3's which should be more than perfect for this course :) If you're interested (or anyone else) I'll post a new comment here about the experience I think, and hope it will inspire some, to do the training as well
I felt the same way about my recent TDI courses; I just didn’t know if I’d pass. Luckily I found an instructor who majored on teaching rather than just ticking boxes and planned 10 dives instead of the required 6 so I and my fellow student could screw up, get it right and consolidate. I was worried about the 50ft breath-hold swim, at 70 feet depth, but I knew how long I can hold a breath, knew how fast I fin and did the math. In the end I had to remember to put the reg back in! We both passed but as you say the wish to keep practicing and improving doesn’t stop there😊
Yes, and trying to just go with the mindset to do the best you can, have fun, and learn as much as you can helps relieve some of the performance stress. A lot of instructors, good ones at least, really want to see you pass, but they must also see the quality in performance, so working with them, getting extra time and practice in, and being flexible is a great way to go into it!
👍😎🇵🇭🤿! I love diving my life’s work and I want so much to become the best in diving! GUE would be my number one goal to prove to myself as I work hard to improve my best fitness goals so to one day take the GUE challenge! Thank you for sharing your journey into your GUE diving experience!
It's definitely painful, but after ripping off the band-aid and feeling the sting fortunately, I am now diving very comfortable in a dry suit again! Haha, glad you understand my pain.
I might be more interested if it wasnt for GUE's militant demand for using a standardized gear system. BPW is great but that doesnt mean it should be mandatory for all divers in all situations.
I agree that is a drawback for taking the course and makes it a lot less approachable for some due to the gear demands. That's likely the biggest reason I'd imagine some avoid it, but I suppose if they were to waive that standard than they are basically waiving the standardized gear to begin with. Beyond that though and if you can make some of your gear fit the mold of the standard the rest of the class is gold, and a lot of things do make sense for the gear standard, at least in the way of practice that they go over with it.
There's a very good reason why the system is standardized between all GUE divers. First off, everyone uses the same set-up, not necessarily the same equipment. The big pro here is that no matter who I dive with, if its a GUE system, I know where everything is, how it works and that makes project diving a whole lot easier. Second off, the BPW set-up is the bare minimum that you start out with but never, ever, have to change. Want to take stages? clip on the the D-rings on the left side. How about a cool DPV? No problem, on the crotch-strap it goes. Going cave diving huh? Second backup light on the other shoulder strap and pigtail in your left pocket.
Thanks for sharing such valuable information! Could you help me with something unrelated: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). What's the best way to send them to Binance?
I see single tank..thought it was mandatory to dive with double tanks and setup how they think it's dir. My cousin did it and it was very challenging. I think I'd rather doing gue training than a rescue/divemaster as a recreational diver.
You can take GUE Fundamentals and receive a recreational pass on a single cylinder. The Tech endorsement requires a twinset and the bar to pass is set much higher
It can be done single for a rec pass, which is still challenging. You can upgrade the rec to a tech pass by any time by redoing portions of it with doubles, but you need tighter buoyancy. I personally believe unless you are going to work as a dive guide, doing GUE fundamentals is better than doing divemaster through PADI or other organizations. You will take away a lot more from it.
@@itravelwiselymost places require DM or higher to work as a dive guide. Having fundamentals under your belt certainly makes the process easier as you are able to focus more on the divers and surroundings rather your own buoyancy and trim. The rec to tech pass requires a 3’ buoyancy window as opposed to 5, trim within 20 degrees of neutral instead of 30, proficiency in all 6 finning techniques, and proficiency in the valve drill. This must all be done in tech gear configuration, which is where the twinset comes in.
@andrewlee2129 that's spot on, I meant to mention if you never plan on working as a dive guide or instructor, you don't really need to do a divemaster as I feel GUE fundamentals is a better learning experience. But, given GUE is not as well established and becoming an instructor in GUE is significantly harder than other agencies, if you do want to work as a dive guide or instructor, then dive master is still worthwhile.
It isn't an advertisement, I'm sharing my experience and about the course. Also my opinion as I did like the course. I paid a considerable amount to take it and got paid nothing to make this video.
Watching this video I felt like hearing the voodoo of personal trainers “the sky is the limit” “you will reach the end of your capabilities”. “it's the quality of performance that counts” a lot of generalities repeated 6 times little information. it left me terribly dumbfounded. Few interesting detailed examples and information on what such a demanding challenge was happening on course,
That's fair, I wasn't trying to teach anything in this one, only speak to my experience, the course, and how it will improve you. I wasn't focused on teaching skills with this one and didn't have footage of the actual course.
In 400 dives, I did not learn proper backing or helicopter finning, in 400 dives, I did not have such a strong standard for buoyancy and trim, I learned a lot about gear configurations and standards you do not normally see. There is quite a bit I learned from the course outside of the normal beat. You can say what you will, but I do stand by that most will learn quite a bit from the course.
@@zoltanszoke2676 What type of concrete bits of information are you looking for? What will satisfy your ego that you may not be as good a diver as you think you are? I know that before diving with a GUE Tech diver, I knew I was "the cat's meow." I have been diving since 1992 and have been a member of a Public Safety Dive Team for 18 years. I could dive anything from silt, black water, current, full face, drysuit, cold water, under the ice, and deep diving. I had all the certs from PADI & NAUI to prove I was a great diver. When I saw my GUE diver friend in the water I was impressed with his abilities and control. When he filmed me diving and I later watched it, I realized that I wasn't as good as I thought. Hell, his control and ability were so good that he could back fin faster than I could frog kick forward. I have since taken the GUE fundamentals class and passed with a Tech rating. I am moving forward to take more GUE training in an effort to improve myself and my abilities. Don't get me wrong, the first time I saw the DIR setup, I thought to myself, "Boy that's dumb," and "I'll never dive a BPW ." I'm now very glad that I took the time to educate myself about the "how and why" GUE does the things they do. That being said, I don't expect that any post will change your mind or your thinking, but I do hope it inspires you to look at your diving and ask yourself, can I improve myself and my diving. If the answer is no, then GUE is not for you. If the answer is yes, then find a GUE diver in your area and go dive with him/her. See how they dive and what they bring to the table. Then decide for yourself if it's a road you'd like to go down.
I disagree strongly, none of this stuff is intuitive and most of it I didn't figure out on my own after 400 dives. I am not a salesman, just sharing what I experienced and how it can benefit you.
I have 500+ dives, I am an TDI andp diver, I dive everything from the Great Lakes to the Caribbean and I can tell you that I am looking at taking the fundies because it has such a great reputation and I want to grow. I would like to think your comment was just a knee jerk reaction but I’m sure your like most other internet divers, did an open water or maybe an advanced and now strut around like your gods greatest gift.
Corrections:
- The breath hold swim is 50 ft or 15 meters, not 50 yards, I mixed up what I said as the distance of the swim is in yards.
You see this is my the mars spaceship crashed…. It’s only 15m/50ft. But than again how to make people smash the standard lol
Sure my instructor said 25m and 500m in 14mins was the standard for Instructor
I can’t spell “why” lol
"Growth doesn't happen in your comfort zone. It's only when you push yourself to your limits and then beyond that, you truly improve."
Truer words have never been spoken. Thank you !!
This is absolutely my mantra. I'm glad you enjoyed this one!
Talking about high standards, perfect buoyancy and trim, meanwhile showing clips of divers in complete disarray 😂
Ha, I felt the clips matched!
I plan to do the fundamental course in 2025 or early 2026, same as you : single tank and rec pass. So ty for your feedback, it’s really helpful and motivated!
I'm glad this video was helpful, and I hope the course goes great! The right mindset is to go in not caring about a pass or fail but just taking as much as you can out of it. You'll stress about it less and enjoy it more!
As a 72 year old who has signed up to get Open Water Certified, I have yet to come across a video that focuses solely on what kind of exercises divers do (other than swimming). I'm just curious what sorts of things you all do to stay in shape for diving. Thanks and thanks for your videos they are extremely helpful.
This is anecdotal, but I personally find low impact zone 1 and 2 training to be the best. Scuba diving should be low aerobic mostly, so training that system works well. You can do this with long but slow jogs fairly frequently, slow swims, fast walking, rucking with a backpack with some weight, or hiking up hill. Basically, you're moving but not working your high aerobic system. A lot of folk don't realize this is a different energy system in the body, and I don't realize it also needs to be exercised to be strong.
It also is something anyone can do regardless of age as it helps a lot with keeping stability too.
@@itravelwiselythanks for your response. I walk 7 miles a day and ruck 45lbs for 3 miles then rearrange the weight for the last 4 miles and swim twice a week. I also climb a ladder 20 times with the 45 pounds twice a week. I don’t run at my age but use an exercise bike 30 min 3 times a week but getting this information is important to me. Thanks
That's super impressive, and it seems you're doing all the right stuff for your health and great fitness for diving!
@@itravelwisely well really it was out of total embarrassment when I took a "try me" class and couldn't get out of the pool. My instructor had to help me remove my BCD so I could get out of the water. I realized if I was to continue I couldn't be putting others lives at risk (or my own) because I wasn't physically prepared. I did Google the issue beforehand and came away with "you should be in good CV health" and maybe lift some weights and felt at least walking 7 miles a day should be good enough, but obviously it wasn't. The rucking thing wasn't listed as a way to prepare for SCUBA (and I am so happy you mentioned it) but when I came across it I thought it would address my core and quad weakness and I could do it at the same time as walking. The other thing I did was get my own open-end fins and boots because without them I doubt even with all the exercise I would be able to climb a pool (or boat) ladder. I took the class again and had a much better experience. Thanks and keep up posting the great videos.
@georgekenna9351 thos is great to hear! Thank you for sharing!
GUE is restructuring its courses and now there will be a level below fundies, wich will work without a drysuit and doubles (fundies standards go even higher in the meantime)... As a not really experienced diver, I asked when should I take it. They said "the sooner the better"... Well, next weekend we will see if I can complete that course with a shy ~10 dives :D Let's find out...
(Disclaimer, I'm seeking the knowledge, not the card, and as a landlocked person with not many lakes or quarries, any diving is good diving :) )
That's the right mindset! I have no doubts you will have a good experience and grow faster than you would have without it. Probably easier to jump straight to it, in terms of gear costs as the standard gear that you get for the course is a good setup for most.
Interesting to hear about the course restructuring! I didn't hear about that. Sounds like some massive changes coming!
@@itravelwisely New standards dropping this week according to my instructor, we are eagerly waiting to see what I'll need to be able to do :)
I'm PADI AOWD (Which means like... nothing really IMO), during that I had the luck to dive with BPW setup (and was much more comfortable and easier to operate for me than a jacket), so in theory the only new piece of equipment will be the long hose setup. All the gear I have is my mask, boots and a pair of apeks RK3's which should be more than perfect for this course :) If you're interested (or anyone else) I'll post a new comment here about the experience I think, and hope it will inspire some, to do the training as well
@durma77 definitely interested to hear how it goes and read up on the standard changes! Hope you enjoy in the meantime!
I felt the same way about my recent TDI courses; I just didn’t know if I’d pass. Luckily I found an instructor who majored on teaching rather than just ticking boxes and planned 10 dives instead of the required 6 so I and my fellow student could screw up, get it right and consolidate. I was worried about the 50ft breath-hold swim, at 70 feet depth, but I knew how long I can hold a breath, knew how fast I fin and did the math. In the end I had to remember to put the reg back in! We both passed but as you say the wish to keep practicing and improving doesn’t stop there😊
Yes, and trying to just go with the mindset to do the best you can, have fun, and learn as much as you can helps relieve some of the performance stress. A lot of instructors, good ones at least, really want to see you pass, but they must also see the quality in performance, so working with them, getting extra time and practice in, and being flexible is a great way to go into it!
👍😎🇵🇭🤿! I love diving my life’s work and I want so much to become the best in diving! GUE would be my number one goal to prove to myself as I work hard to improve my best fitness goals so to one day take the GUE challenge! Thank you for sharing your journey into your GUE diving experience!
Glad you are inspired and eager to know how it goes and how you progress! Thank you for the support!
Bro is saying so much without saying a thing
Thanks, bro. I'll take that as feedback to try and make them shorter.
Drysuit... HAHA you really just need time to adjust.
I can definitely see how that could throw you off.
It's definitely painful, but after ripping off the band-aid and feeling the sting fortunately, I am now diving very comfortable in a dry suit again! Haha, glad you understand my pain.
Great video! One correction the breath hold is 50 ft or 15m not 50 yds which would be a fairly impressive breath hold.
Ah, good call out, I got mixed up as I was talking to the distance of the swim, which is in yards! Thank you!
I might be more interested if it wasnt for GUE's militant demand for using a standardized gear system. BPW is great but that doesnt mean it should be mandatory for all divers in all situations.
I agree that is a drawback for taking the course and makes it a lot less approachable for some due to the gear demands. That's likely the biggest reason I'd imagine some avoid it, but I suppose if they were to waive that standard than they are basically waiving the standardized gear to begin with.
Beyond that though and if you can make some of your gear fit the mold of the standard the rest of the class is gold, and a lot of things do make sense for the gear standard, at least in the way of practice that they go over with it.
There's a very good reason why the system is standardized between all GUE divers.
First off, everyone uses the same set-up, not necessarily the same equipment. The big pro here is that no matter who I dive with, if its a GUE system, I know where everything is, how it works and that makes project diving a whole lot easier.
Second off, the BPW set-up is the bare minimum that you start out with but never, ever, have to change. Want to take stages? clip on the the D-rings on the left side. How about a cool DPV? No problem, on the crotch-strap it goes. Going cave diving huh? Second backup light on the other shoulder strap and pigtail in your left pocket.
Thanks for sharing such valuable information! Could you help me with something unrelated: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). What's the best way to send them to Binance?
No clue there, sorry
Goo?
I know now it's G.U.E. but pronounced it as goo at the time of recording, haha.
I see single tank..thought it was mandatory to dive with double tanks and setup how they think it's dir. My cousin did it and it was very challenging. I think I'd rather doing gue training than a rescue/divemaster as a recreational diver.
You can take GUE Fundamentals and receive a recreational pass on a single cylinder. The Tech endorsement requires a twinset and the bar to pass is set much higher
It can be done single for a rec pass, which is still challenging. You can upgrade the rec to a tech pass by any time by redoing portions of it with doubles, but you need tighter buoyancy.
I personally believe unless you are going to work as a dive guide, doing GUE fundamentals is better than doing divemaster through PADI or other organizations. You will take away a lot more from it.
@@itravelwiselymost places require DM or higher to work as a dive guide. Having fundamentals under your belt certainly makes the process easier as you are able to focus more on the divers and surroundings rather your own buoyancy and trim.
The rec to tech pass requires a 3’ buoyancy window as opposed to 5, trim within 20 degrees of neutral instead of 30, proficiency in all 6 finning techniques, and proficiency in the valve drill. This must all be done in tech gear configuration, which is where the twinset comes in.
@andrewlee2129 that's spot on, I meant to mention if you never plan on working as a dive guide or instructor, you don't really need to do a divemaster as I feel GUE fundamentals is a better learning experience. But, given GUE is not as well established and becoming an instructor in GUE is significantly harder than other agencies, if you do want to work as a dive guide or instructor, then dive master is still worthwhile.
@@andrewlee2129 thanks bud ;)
If this video is an advertisement you should say this.
It isn't an advertisement, I'm sharing my experience and about the course. Also my opinion as I did like the course. I paid a considerable amount to take it and got paid nothing to make this video.
Watching this video I felt like hearing the voodoo of personal trainers “the sky is the limit” “you will reach the end of your capabilities”. “it's the quality of performance that counts” a lot of generalities repeated 6 times little information. it left me terribly dumbfounded. Few interesting detailed examples and information on what such a demanding challenge was happening on course,
That's fair, I wasn't trying to teach anything in this one, only speak to my experience, the course, and how it will improve you. I wasn't focused on teaching skills with this one and didn't have footage of the actual course.
ONE example please. Just one that teaches you something that 400 dives did not taught you.
In 400 dives, I did not learn proper backing or helicopter finning, in 400 dives, I did not have such a strong standard for buoyancy and trim, I learned a lot about gear configurations and standards you do not normally see.
There is quite a bit I learned from the course outside of the normal beat. You can say what you will, but I do stand by that most will learn quite a bit from the course.
@@itravelwisely undoubtedly, but without any concrete bits of info you're just exhaling hot air.
@@zoltanszoke2676 What type of concrete bits of information are you looking for? What will satisfy your ego that you may not be as good a diver as you think you are? I know that before diving with a GUE Tech diver, I knew I was "the cat's meow." I have been diving since 1992 and have been a member of a Public Safety Dive Team for 18 years. I could dive anything from silt, black water, current, full face, drysuit, cold water, under the ice, and deep diving. I had all the certs from PADI & NAUI to prove I was a great diver. When I saw my GUE diver friend in the water I was impressed with his abilities and control. When he filmed me diving and I later watched it, I realized that I wasn't as good as I thought. Hell, his control and ability were so good that he could back fin faster than I could frog kick forward. I have since taken the GUE fundamentals class and passed with a Tech rating. I am moving forward to take more GUE training in an effort to improve myself and my abilities. Don't get me wrong, the first time I saw the DIR setup, I thought to myself, "Boy that's dumb," and "I'll never dive a BPW ." I'm now very glad that I took the time to educate myself about the "how and why" GUE does the things they do. That being said, I don't expect that any post will change your mind or your thinking, but I do hope it inspires you to look at your diving and ask yourself, can I improve myself and my diving. If the answer is no, then GUE is not for you. If the answer is yes, then find a GUE diver in your area and go dive with him/her. See how they dive and what they bring to the table. Then decide for yourself if it's a road you'd like to go down.
Well said and I could not agree more here!
Bla, bla, bla. After 100 dives if you don't got it you ain't gonna get it. These salesman can sell snow to an escamo.
I disagree strongly, none of this stuff is intuitive and most of it I didn't figure out on my own after 400 dives. I am not a salesman, just sharing what I experienced and how it can benefit you.
@@itravelwiselyone example please.
I have 500+ dives, I am an TDI andp diver, I dive everything from the Great Lakes to the Caribbean and I can tell you that I am looking at taking the fundies because it has such a great reputation and I want to grow. I would like to think your comment was just a knee jerk reaction but I’m sure your like most other internet divers, did an open water or maybe an advanced and now strut around like your gods greatest gift.
@electricalsociety5593 definitely agree here. Thank you for your thoughts!