GUE General Training Limits

1.4 GUE General Training Limits

The following limits apply to ALL levels of training (course specific limits can be found in the relevant sections).

1.4.1 PO2 limits

All dives are to maintain a working PO2 of no greater than 1.4 and a resting PO2 of 1.6 +/-.05. Resting dives are defined as dives during which it is not reasonably expected that a diver will have to expend any unusual amount of energy, for example during decompression.

1.4.2 END Limits

No dives are to exceed an Equivalent Narcotic Depth (END) of 100 feet (+/- 30 feet)/30 meters (+/- 9 meters).

1.4.3 Procedures for Critical Skills

Drills or skills that involve loss of visibility, loss of lights, and simulated manifold failures ("air gunning"), must first be conducted in a confined water setting, after which an instructor can progressively increase the depth and/or penetration. Mask removal, rescue techniques involving assisting panic-stricken divers, convulsing divers, and unconscious divers, and left post roll-offs are restricted to confined water. Under no circumstance should such skills be conducted in delicate cave environments where damage to the environment may occur.

Under no circumstance should simulated air failures involve the shutting down of the right post primary regulator.

1.4.4 Dual Qualification

Another agency's qualifications may be awarded a student - as a dual qualification - only if the student has met GUE standards and has been awarded full GUE qualification. The student can then receive both a GUE qualification card and the equivalent qualification of another agency.

1.4.5 Issuing Qualification Under Other Agencies

Qualification from another agency may not be issued instead of a GUE qualification. This entails that qualification from another agency may not be issued in the event the student did not complete GUE full qualification, nor can it be issued if the student was given a provisional GUE qualification.

1.4.6 Teaching and Rebreathers

GUE instructors may not teach GUE courses while using any type of rebreather (CCR or SCR). The only excpetions include the training of rebreather instructors during an ITC, or training during rebreather courses after all critical skill testing is complete.

1.4.7 Steel Cylinders

Use of heavy double steel tanks/cylinders in the open water is prohibited for GUE members unless divers concurrently wear dry suits as redundant sources of inflation.

1.4.8 Steel Stage Bottles

No GUE member should utilize steel stage bottles in the open water. Any legal restrictions in conflict with this stipulation must be discussed with, and approved by, the Training Director.

1.4.9 Conservation

As part of GUE's commitment to global environmental conservation, the following list details recommended areas for simulated zero-visibility drills, required by all GUE cave programs. Examples of such recommended training areas are listed below.

1. Cave Sites: Florida

Cow Springs, the downstream section. No training dives of any kind are allowed in upstream Cow Springs. Devil's Eye and Ear System, from the Keyhold out and the first 200 feet/60 meters of the Catacombs. Little River, from Table Rock out on the main line. Orange Grove, from the warning sign. Peacock Spring 1, from the breakdown room out of the Peanut Tunnel. Telford Spring, the section between Telford Sink and Telford Spring.

2. Cave Sites: Mexico

Carwash, downstream; Satan's Silt Hole, upstream, between Luke's Hope and the entrance. Chac Mol, the last 200 feet/60 meters downstream. Maya Blue, "A" tunnel. Naharon, upstream. Taj Mahal, downstream.