My Experience Taking GUE Fundamentals / 'Fundies' in 2024 (Recreational)

By Tyler (The Dive Otter) | Sep, 2024

Note (Updated for 2025):
As of December 2024, GUE split the Fundamentals class into two tracks—Recreational and Technical. This post covers my experience in the pre-2025 combined version, but much of it will still apply to the new split format.
GUE fundies poster

What Is “Fundies”?

In short: It’s how previously trained Open Water divers “cross over” into the GUE system.

When you pass the Recreational version of Fundies, you’re issued a certification equivalent to Open Water Diver (EN 14153-3 / ISO 24801-2) and Nitrox (ISO 11107). GUE does not recognize Open Water certifications from other agencies within its system because the skill proficiency standard is higher.

Why Take Fundies?

As a recreational diver, it’s the single best dive training you can take. Full stop. Many divers take Fundies without ever planning to continue in the GUE system—just to become better divers.

Do you want to:

Example

My instructor gave me feedback on how I was grabbing my primary regulator during a reg-in/reg-out drill. She asked me to rotate my hand by about 15 degrees so the reg would naturally point down and be less prone to free flow.

Was I doing it wrong? No.
Was there a better way? Absolutely.
That’s the level of coaching you get.

GUE’s system is designed “with the end in mind”. Once you learn the procedures, they don’t change. A GUE Tech 2 diver and a Rec 1 diver will dive with the same base procedures, equipment, and expectations.

How Much Does It Cost?

There are three major components:

What It Cost Me:

It felt like taking Open Water, a bunch of specialty classes like Nitrox, Science of Diving, Navigation, Night & Limited Vis, Drysuit, and Peak Performance Buoyancy... all in one.

What Equipment Do You Need?

If you're not already using a backplate and long-hose setup, you will need to source or rent gear that conforms to GUE standards. Jacket-style BCDs, split fins and dangling accessories are out.

I was already diving this style of gear from my own research before I even knew about GUE, so I didn’t need to buy anything new. But that’s not typical.

Reach out to your instructor in advance. They’ll help confirm your gear meets standards.

example of a diver in GUE standard equipment

Required Gear for a Recreational Pass

How Hard Is Fundies?

Very. It was the most intense dive training I’ve ever taken—and I’ve taken a lot.

This is not the kind of class where you get a gold star for clearing your mask. You’ll get honest feedback, both good and bad. They’re kind, but direct.

Bring your big kid pants and leave your ego in the car.

The bar is high. But if you’re serious about becoming a better diver, that’s exactly what you should want.

My Advice Before You Take Fundies

Tyler and his GUE fundies class

What Does the 4-Day Class Look Like?

Every GUE Fundies class follows a common structure, but the order and pace vary based on location, weather, and student skill.

My class was taught by EmƑke Wagner (world-class cave diver) and Francesco Cameli (world-class tech/wreck diver). Together, we logged over 6 hours underwater across 4 days, with one dive lasting 83 minutes.

These weren’t sightseeing dives. Every dive was loaded with new tasks, challenges, and coaching.
Francesco teaching nitrox

Day 1 – Thursday

Day 2 – Friday

EmƑke knew that I was going to be diving in Lake Michigan in a drysuit and encouraged me to switch to my drysuit for the rest of the class, even though I had less than 10 dives with it.
Emoke teaching

Day 3 – Saturday

Day 4 – Sunday

I was mentally and physically exhausted at this point from the prior 3 days and talked to EmƑke about possibly not continuing. She encouraged me to continue as I only needed one more dive to complete the class and at least get a "provisional" if not a "pass".
Dock at Gilboa Quarry

Final Feedback

my GUE instructors and me

Official Final Evaluation Notes

Tyler is a very committed diver who greatly improved during the 4 days. He had a very solid performance and acted as an excellent teammate. Tyler developed a solid platform for recreational diving, his kicks are overall nice, drills and procedures are precise and awareness exceeded minimum standards. Trim has to be more consistent especially when task loaded by avoiding fin tips dropping down, and by keeping core tension. Tyler has the tendency to drop his head, he is aware of it. Buoyancy on ascents with and without task load has to be practiced in order to gain more confidence and memory about when and how much gas has to be vented [Tyler: from drysuit]. We recommended changing his fins to more flexible ones like OMS Slipstreams, Hollis F1 or Jetfins. Changing the backplate is also something to consider since waist strap is running too low.

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