There are currently four GUE instructors in the UK. Each of them has a short introductory page with links to their own websites. Take a look to find out more.
GUE has a very different approach to instructor training. Many new agencies are characterised by a rapid expansion in their instructor base in an attempt to capture a market share. This has without doubt led to a large variability in instructor quality. After nearly ten years in operation, GUE now has in the region of 50 instructors, worldwide.
It is a long, difficult, process to become a GUE instructor – there are no short cuts, or “cross-overs”. In order to enrol as a GUE instructor candidate, one must be qualified as a Tech or Cave level 1 diver. This generally means that the candidate must have undertaken the fundamentals class as well. The instructor training course (ITC) is ten days long, and only 2-3 of these events occur each year. The ITC concentrates on all aspects of the GUE fundamentals class, including all of the open water, dry runs and academic sessions. Candidates will be given not only “scheduled” presentations to deliver, but will also be required to give a number of “impromptu” lessons. All of the sessions are followed by thorough debriefings and suggestions on how to improve the quality of the lesson. At the end of this exhausting ten days, candidates are given a thorough debriefing and a “road map” to becoming an instructor is outlined.
This “road map” involved interning on a number of live fundamentals classes, and assisting the lead instructor as appropriate. The number of classes to attend will vary depending on the individual candidate. At the end of this internship, candidates must then attend fundamentals class under the supervision of an instructor evaluator. Should the candidate perform well, then the IE may give approval for the student to become a GUE instructor. Two of these approvals, or signatures, are required from two different IE’s before the candidate finally becomes a GUE instructor.
As you can see, this process required a very dedicated diver – it takes a long time and a lot of work. However, becoming a GUE instructor is a very rewarding achievement, and will allow an instructor to deliver uncompromising levels of training and to become an important part of an organisation committed to education, exploration and research.