Exploring the GUE Basic 5: Essential Skills in Scuba Diving

The Global Underwater Explorers (GUE) have developed a set of fundamental skills that all divers should master to ensure safety and confidence in the water. These skills, known as the GUE Basic 5 are taught in GUE Foundational and recreational classes such as GUE Fundamentals, GUE Doubles Primer , and GUE Recreational Diver 1. It’s important to note that the GUE Basic 5 skills are taught and performed while maintaining neutral buoyancy and horizontal trim. Kneeling on the bottom is not a realistic position for divers to be in and is not endorsed in any of our courses.

The GUE Basic 5 are:

Basic 1: Regulator Removal
Basic 2: Regulator Exchange
Basic 3: Long Hose Deployment
Basic 4: Mask Flood and Clearing
Basic 5: Mask Removal and Replacement

Let’s take a closer look at each of these skills:

Basic 1: Regulator Removal
This skill involves removing the regulator from your mouth and holding it in front of you and then put back in your mouth and clearing it. This skill is important if the regulator was accidentally dislodged from your mouth.

Basic 2: Regulator Exchange
This skill involves exchanging your primary regulator with your backup regulator. This skill is crucial in case of a primary regulator malfunction or sharing gas with your teammate where you have to breath from your backup regulator.

Basic 3: Long Hose Deployment
This skill involves deploying a long hose to offer your primary regulator to a diver who has run out of gas. The long hose is 1.5 meters to 2 meters in length, which enables both divers to share gas safely and conveniently while they make their way to the surface or the next available gas source. While this skill doesn’t involve gas sharing, it is a preparation exercise that allows divers to practice deploying the long hose and switching to their backup regulator.

Basic 4: Mask Flood and Clearing
This skill involves intentionally flooding your mask with water and then clearing it by exhaling through your nose. This skill is crucial in the event that water enters your mask while diving.

Basic 5: Mask Removal and Replacement
This skill involves removing your mask entirely and then replacing it. This skill is important in case your mask is accidentally dislodged or if you need to permanently replace a broken mask underwater.

Mastering these fundamental skills can greatly improve your safety and confidence as a diver. If you’re interested in learning more about the GUE Basic 5 or improving your diving skills, consider taking the GUE Fundamentals or GUE Doubles Primer courses here in Toronto to help divers develop the knowledge and skills they need to enjoy diving safely and responsibly.

Alain EID

GUE Instructor

Alain began his diving journey in 2010 and is now a highly qualified instructor, certified by GUE (Global Underwater Explorers) in both Fundamentals and Recreational diving. He has been teaching with GUE since 2018 and is experienced in Cave, CCR, and Technical diving. Alain finds great joy in sharing his knowledge and passion for diving through transformative courses that empower divers to reach their full potential.