Beefcake wrote:Thank you all. I realized after I posted that this wasn't the right thread to ask my question; I thought I was still in ScubaNewb's AOW thread. Anyway, as long as I've hijacked this one, I guess my question was really where fundies fits into the equation; Is it better after 100 dives and rescue as a personal skills tune-up, or is that too late? I know it isn't part of the PADI/SSI/NAUI progression; I'm just wondering what skill level it's aimed at.
Beefcake,
GUE Primer or Fundies fits in wherever you want it. I believe it would be best off right now being seen as an overlay to conventional mainstream training. The Primer workshop or Fundamentals class is not going to get you out to a diverse set of sites, expand your 'options' when on a boat dive, etc... but it will indeed help you get your skills such as buoyancy and efficiency with propulsion underwater sorted which will help you dramatically when you do decide to visit intermediate to advanced sites...
I feel that both are necessary for a well rounded diver. if all you are 'trained' to do is dive in conditions approximate to those which you were certified in (referring to basic OW), well, you'll be stuck in cove 2 practicing skills
if you take Georgia or Bob's Advanced class, your 'window' of opportunity for dive sites is opened up dramatically. Night diving, slightly deeper diving, nitrox, boat diving, a bit of current, a bit of navigation, etc... It makes you a more desirable dive buddy as well, as although the card doesn't actually 'describe' your skill level, it tells someone like me that if we go diving tomorrow, it won't be your first night dive ever or your first boat dive etc...
I am fully confident in both of those instructors ability to teach you gas management for an 80' dive, and help you make sound decisions with regards to gear purchase
In LJ's perfect world, OW, Advanced and GUE Primer (or equivalent) would be combined and taught as a "northwest diver" program (which i believe is essentially what Bob does). You'd come out very squared away for a 'new' diver, with all the tools necessary to go forth and start diving and gaining real world experience...