| I've taken Fundies and Rec Triox through GUE, and NAUI Helitrox from AG. There are definitely differences in training between the two agencies. GUE is much more restrictive about what instructors can do in their classes -- no air gun in Rec Triox, no removing masks, no fiddling with students' valves. AG can and will do all those things, once he's had enough exposure to the students to understand their level of preparation. AG teaches the light cord over the long hose. I think there are good arguments on both sides of that question. He likes the old valve drill, but honestly, we never did a valve drill in the class with him; we handled failures, which is quite different. We did use 25/25 instead of 30/30, and I think, actually, that gas makes better sense in the range.
All the big things were the same. Good buoyancy control was a must; trim had to be controlled to where it didn't impact buoyancy or maneuverability. Problems have to be addressed in a calm, thoughtful and methodical fashion, and team resources have to be kept track of. Clear, unambiguous communication was critical. The basic equipment configuration is the same.
There are small differences, and anybody who has enough interest to read on the internet knows what some of them are. I don't think there was anything between the two instructors/classes that I couldn't adjust if I were to dive with a team from one camp or the other. The underlying principles and intellectual materials are the same.
__________________
check out www.divematrix.com
"So, it's a good thing to always do the drills the same way . . . but in real life you need to act the right way, whatever that happens to be." LauNar
|