GUE
PERFORMANCE DIVER
what is the gue PD course
In December 2024, Global Underwater Explorers (GUE) introduced an exciting evolution of their dive education system, streamlining many of their courses to better align with the needs of today’s divers. Among these changes, one of the most significant updates was to their flagship course—the GUE Fundamentals (Fundies)—now reimagined as the GUE Performance Diver (PD) course.
This refreshed course was designed with a sharper focus on new divers and those seeking to build a stronger foundation in their diving skills. While the original GUE principles remain at the heart of the course—equipment configuration, trim, buoyancy, stability, propulsion techniques, situational awareness, and teamwork—the updated structure makes these critical skills more accessible and approachable for divers at all levels.
The GUE Performance Diver course not only addresses the needs of those looking to refine their skills but also bridges the gap for recreational divers who might have felt intimidated by the technical reputation of GUE training. It emphasizes building confidence underwater, developing precise control, and fostering a mindset of teamwork and situational awareness—qualities that every diver, regardless of their goals, can benefit from.
This shift represents not just a change in curriculum, but also an invitation—an invitation for more divers to experience “how diving should be.” Whether you’re a newly certified Open Water Diver or someone with years of experience looking to fine-tune your skills, the GUE Performance Diver course offers a structured, supportive, and transformative pathway into the world of better, safer, and more enjoyable diving.
So, if you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to glide effortlessly through the water, maintain perfect buoyancy, and communicate seamlessly with your dive team—this is your chance to dive in and find out.
Who Should Take the GUE Fundamentals Course?
Not everyone who joins the GUE Fundamentals (Fundies) Course has plans to jump straight into technical diving—and that’s perfectly fine! This course isn’t just for those with technical ambitions; it’s for any diver who’s completed their basic Open Water Diver course and feels they need more in-depth guidance and structured training to truly grow as a diver.
Whether you’re newly certified or have years of diving experience but feel like something’s missing, chances are you’ve encountered challenges in these five key areas:
- Buoyancy Control
- Diving in Trim
- Propulsion Skills
- Buddy System (Team Diving)
- Situational Awareness
The GUE Performance Diver (PD) program was specifically created to address these gaps—offering divers a chance to refine their foundational skills, boost their confidence, and build solid habits that will last a lifetime underwater.
No matter where you are in your diving journey, this course is about helping you become a safer, more aware, and overall better diver. So, if you’re ready to elevate your skills, this is the course for you.
gue fundamentals (fundies) vs Performance Diver
Now, let’s dive right in to see the difference between the GUE Fundamentals (Fundies) vs the new GUE Performance Diver.
| Performance Diver | Fundies | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Dives | 4 | 6 |
| Minimum Hours | 16 | 24 |
KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT |
||
| Introduction to GUE organization and course overview (objectives, limits, expectations) | Yes | Yes |
| Buoyancy, trim, balance, and propulsion | Yes | Yes |
| Fundamental diving skills | Yes | Yes |
| Streamlining and equipment configuration | Yes | Yes |
| Situational awareness | Yes | Yes |
| Basic gas management and dive planning | Yes | Yes |
| Dive planning and gas management | No | Yes |
| Breathing gas overview | No | Yes |
| Nitrox diving | Yes | Yes |
| Introduction to minimum decompression procedures | Yes | Yes |
| Decompression overview and minimum decompression procedures | No | Yes |
| Diving safety and accident prevention | No | Yes |
| The GUE system | Yes | Yes |
LAND DRILLS |
||
| Equipment fit, assembly and disassembly | Yes | Yes |
| Propulsion and maneuvering techniques | Yes | Yes |
| Gas analysis | Yes | Yes |
| GUE EDGE and pre-dive checks | Yes | Yes |
| Basic 5 scuba skills | Yes | Yes |
| S-drills | Yes | Yes |
| Dive team protocols | Yes | Yes |
| Valve drill | No | Yes |
| Surface marker buoy (SMB) deployment utilizing a spool | No | Yes |
| Ascent protocols | No | Yes |
DIVE SKILLS AND DRILLS |
||
| Demonstrate reasonable buoyancy and trim, i.e., approximate reference is a maximum of 30 degrees off horizontal while remaining within a range of 5 ft/1.5 m from target depth. | Yes | Yes |
| Comfortably demonstrate at least three propulsion techniques that would be appropriate in a delicate and/or silty environment, including comprehension of the components necessary for a successful backward kick. | Yes | Yes |
| Demonstrate aptitude in the following open water skills: regulator removal, regulator exchange, long hose deployment, mask clearing, mask removal and replacement. | Yes | Yes |
| Comfortably demonstrate how to donate gas to an out-of-gas diver followed by a controlled ascent to the surface. | Yes | Yes |
| Efficiently and comfortably demonstrate how to donate gas to an out-of-gas diver in multiple gas-sharing scenarios. | No | Yes |
| Demonstrate proficiency in the ability to deploy a surface marker buoy (SMB) while using a spool. | No | Yes |
| Efficiently and comfortably demonstrate how to donate gas to an out-of-gas diver in multiple gas-sharing scenarios. | No | Yes |
| Efficiently and comfortably demonstrate how to donate gas to an out-of-gas diver followed by an ascent to the surface utilizing minimum decompression. | No | Yes |
| Demonstrate a comfortable demeanor while swimming without a mask in touch contact, followed by a switch to the backup mask. | No | Yes |
| Demonstrate an efficient valve drill. | No | Yes |