GUE - Global Underwater Explorers

Global Underwater Explorers (GUE), is a non-profit organisation for divers, explorers, underwater researchers and diving instructors worldwide. On the surface, this sounds like a description of the majority of currently active diving organisations. However, there is a certain uniqueness behind the GUE acronym.

Members of this organisation are characterised by a specific approach to diving, high involvement in the area of exploration and research and protection of aquatic environment. The GUE training system is designed in such a way as to solidly prepare students for conscious and safe diving. In this article I would like to share with you a few aspects which have made me interested in GUE myself.

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Objective

GUE was established relatively recently, in 1998, in Florida. The founders of the organisation had the aim of building a system allowing for safe exploration, research and protection of the underwater environment in every location in the world. The development of diving training programmes of the highest possible quality is also directly related to this mission.

Both beginners and advanced technical divers are taught according to the same scheme, based on standardisation, simplification of procedures and progressive acquisition of knowledge, experience and skills.

Mission

It is best expressed by the organisation’s motto: Education, Conservation, Expl oration. All the efforts made by the members of Global Underwater Explorers are concentrated in these three areas.

GUE divers set up, lead and participate in a wide variety of research and exploration projects:

– • Project Baseline – observation and study of the condition of water bodies around the world
– • Ghost Fishing – finding and removing abandoned fishing nets from the bottom of seas and oceans
– • Lipari, Panarea wreck, Battle of Egadi ( Egadi sea battle) – archaeological work with the Italian institute Soprintendenza Del Mare in Sicily
– Cave or wreck exploration projects, such as Mars Makalös Project
– • Project Rossarol
– • Green Skull Cave Exploration

and many, many more

Training

How does GUE differ from popular diving organisations? On the basis of knowledge of experienced explorer divers and educators, Global Underwater Explorers has developed a unique training programme, based on standardisation of equipment, procedures and relatively high requirements and assessment criteria. Innovations in diving education introduced in GUE programmes over the 20 years of the organisation’s existence include:

– Enhanced security procedures:

– complete abandonment of deep diving in air (below 30 m), introduction of
– introduction of nitrox training at all levels of diving education, introduction
– use of helium-containing breathing mixtures in recreational diving

– Standardisation

– Standard equipment configuration – identical for all GUE divers at each training level
– Pragmatic planning methods and standard breath-holding mixtures – allowing for efficient planning of even the most demanding dives
– obligation to complete Fundamentals training, preparing for entry to advanced technical/cave training
– Renewal of diving certificates compulsory; periodic re-qualification of instructors.

– Requirements to maintain adequate physical condition

– GUE membership is exclusively reserved for non-smokers
– inseparable element of GUE training on every level is so-called Fitness Test
– checking physical preparation of diver / instructor

GUE Polska

Seemingly small community of GUE divers in Poland becomes more and more numerous year by year. The Global Underwater Explorers family unites people interested in their personal development (not only diving), taking care of physical fitness and mental endurance, wanting to discover and protect the (underwater) world. Every day, on every continent, hundreds of enthusiasts make their dreams come true – consciously deriving full pleasure from diving, supporting exploration and conservation programmes.

Regardless of whether you only think about commencing adventure with diving or maybe you are already an advanced diver – GUE can show you underwater world from even better side. We encourage you to contact us via fanpage GUE Polska or directly with the instructors’ staff:

Dorota Czerny
Przemek Modrzewski
Bartek Trzciński