2 replies to this topic

[peterbj7]

I hear this talked about but I'm not really sure what it is. What agencies use this term, what does it mean, how is it obtained, and where does it fit into that agency's certification levels?

An unrelated question. I often hear mention of GUE Fundamentals or Fundies. Again, what's involved in that? My own training was BSAC/IANTD/TDI and I suppose PADI, and the term isn't used by any of them. I can guess what it might mean, but I'm not really sure and I don't know how far it goes.

Edited by peterbj7, 06 July 2009 - 10:10 AM.

[Landlocked Dive Nut]

DiveCon is short for Dive Control Specialist, an SSI designation on par with PADI's DiveMaster designation, with the exception that an SSI DiveCon also receives Assistant Instructor status at the end of their DiveCon training.

You are eligible for DiveCon training if you have attained the Master Diver certification (the equivalent of AOW plus Stress & Rescue training) and have proof of at least 100 dives logged.

I start my DiveCon training after the Roatan trip in September. Wish me luck!

[JimG]

I hear this talked about but I'm not really sure what it is. What agencies use this term, what does it mean, how is it obtained, and where does it fit into that agency's certification levels?

DiveCon stands for Dive Control Specialist, which is SSI's name for what most agencies refer to as a Divemaster.

An unrelated question. I often hear mention of GUE Fundamentals or Fundies. Again, what's involved in that?

"Fundies" is the entry point into the GUE curriculum, for divers who are already certified. It's a 3-4 day class that covers propulsion techniques, precision buoyancy, gas planning, use of SMBs/guidelines/reels, GUE protocols for team diving, and if I'm not mistaken, includes a Nitrox certification. GUE Fundamentals is required for all certified divers (regardless of certification or experience level) who wish to pursue further GUE training. You can qualify for either a "Rec" level pass, or a "Tech" level pass, the difference being that students desiring a Tech pass must take the class in doubles and a can light, and are held to stricter standards of performance.

For non-certified divers, there is also (now) a recreational GUE curriculum, which incorporates most of the material in Fundamentals into an entry-level certification course.

-JimG