Any merchandise ordered online is shipped from our HQ in High Springs, Florida, USA. If you live outside of the United States we have to use international shipping, and aside from the $2.00 handling fee added to each merchandise order, there is no 'padding' in the shipping fee you are charged.

Please contact info@gue.com if you would like to have you order shipped via UPS with Saturday Delivery, USPS Express Mail (domestic or international), etc.

Please contact info@gue.com with a full description of the sizes you might need and the specific items you are interested in ordering.

If, when you received your order, there were incorrect items included (example: you ordered a large t-shirt but received a medium), we will cover the shipping cost back to us, and the cost to send the correct item to you. If you find yourself in this situation, please contact HQ.

The first step is to contact HQ immediately to let us know your situation. If the incorrect item that you ordered has already arrived, then you will need to ship it back to GUE. As soon as it arrives, we will ship (at your expense) the replacement item. If the order has been shipped, but hasn’t yet arrived, you will need to wait until it does, and then follow the above step. If you have placed your order within the last 24 hours, there is a chance it has not yet been shipped. In this case we can easily adjust the order to reflect your requested adjustments. If you are unsure of the status of your order, please contact info@gue.com or call 1-800-762-DIVE (3483).

Please contact info@gue.com.

Our standard shipping method is USPS, and depending on the weight of your order, you will probably be able to choose from First-Class (less expensive, but takes longer) or Priority (costs more, but arrives sooner). We also offer UPS, which includes a tracking number, but this generally costs quite a bit more for international orders.

We accept most major credit cards (Visa, American Express, Discover, MasterCard) as well as PayPal. We use an external payment processing service and we do not save any credit card numbers in any way.

Yes. Once you have installed the DecoPlanner, please see the Help menu in the program. The Help section explains how to use the program.

PDF books are downloadable files, accessible from your 'My account' section when logged into the website (the menu on the right-hand side of the page). On your account page, navigate to the 'Files' tab.
Most of the books can be opened using Mac Preview, but all can be opened using Adobe Reader, a free download available here: Get Adobe Reader Software files are also available in here.

The link to download purchased software remains active for 90 days. If something happens to your computer during this time period, simply access your “My account” page and re-download the program from the 'Files' tab. If you need replacement software more than 90 days after purchase, you are entitled to obtain a 50% discount from the current purchase price of the product in question; please contact info@gue.com with proof of purchase to obtain your discount. This replacement offer is not valid when a new version of software has replaced the software in question. In this case, the customer is able to purchase the new product at the discounted upgrade price.

Please note: When you buy a software program from GUE you will download it as a ZIP archive. This ZIP archive contains the program installer, and it is very important that you keep this file in a safe place. We highly recommend that you save the file to an external memory device such as a USB drive, CD/DVD, or external hard drive, so that in the event of a computer crash or theft, you will not need to re-purchase your software.

Contact HQ with your HotSync ID and we’ll be able to resend you the registration key. Don’t know your HotSync ID? On your device, go to the DPlan tab at the top of the screen, then select options and then select register. Your HotSync ID will be listed on the screen.

While we recognize that there is a growing demand for iPhone, Android, Blackberry, and other Smartphone versions of DPlan, and a Mac version of DecoPlanner, we do not currently posses the resources to devote to such a project. It is, however, something we would like to pursue in the future.
Please read these instructions on how to run DecoPlanner on Mac!

If you purchased the electronic file by itself, the link should be active within one hour from purchase, once the system auto completes your order. If the electronic item was purchased in the same transaction as tangible objects that require shipping, the link will be active as soon as those items are shipped. If for some reason you need the file right away, please contact info@gue.com or 1-800-762-DIVE (3483).

The cost of a GUE class can vary, as GUE HQ does not set guidelines as to what instructors are required to charge. The only fee that we require to be paid directly to HQ is the registration fee that gives you access to your class materials and covers the cost of those materials, processing and certification.

• GUE Primer, Doubles, and Drysuit course registration fees are $45.00.
• Fundamentals, Rec 1 and 3, and DPV 1 courses: $95.00.
• Technical Diver 1, Technical Diver 2, Cave Diver 1, Cave Diver 2, Rebreather courses: $125.00.

The first step towards registering for a GUE class is to verify with your instructor that there is a spot reserved for you. The next step is to create a free account on the GUE website and complete your Student Profile, located on the right-side user menu. Once you have done this, you can then find the class you want to take via our “I want to…. Take a scuba class” link on the left side of the page. Once you find the class you wish to sign up for, you will be prompted to pay the registration fee. Paying the registration fee means that you apply for the class directly, and your instructor will be notified.

GUE age requirements are set in stone, and for legal reasons we cannot issue waivers for those who do not meet such requirements.

Students wishing to upgrade from a Recreational Fundamentals pass to a Technical pass are not required to pay the registration fee again. If your original fee has expired, simply contact HQ with your name and the date of the class you are trying to register for. Once we confirm with the instructor that you are approved for this class, we will register you.

Check to make sure that you have entered something in every field. If you have left anything blank, your form will not be processed. Once you have made sure that there are no blank fields and it still shows as incomplete, please contact info@gue.com.

GUE divers are required to perform twenty-five dives at their highest level of certification over the three-year period to re-qualify for an additional three-year period. To renew, simply visit your “My Courses” page where you will find a link to access the renewal form. Once the renewal form is complete, you will be prompted to pay the $30.00 renewal fee. Once submitted, HQ will receive notification of the renewal and upon review will process it accordingly.

If you have filled out your QC form via your “My Courses” page, and verified that your contact information on your GUE student profile is current (My Student Profile --> Student Information), then your certification will usually be processed and mailed within 1-2 weeks. However, this is dependent on your instructor having completed your evaluation. If you haven’t received your card 4-6 weeks after your class is over (international mail can take 2-4 weeks for delivery) and have filled out your QC form and updated your contact information, then please contact info@gue.com.

Please email HQ at info@gue.com or call 1-800-762-DIVE (3483) with any questions or concerns about your certification.

To request a replacement card, please go to your “My Courses” page and there you will find a Certification Card Replacement link. Once you complete the form and submit the $30.00 replacement fee, we will receive your request and process it as quickly as possible.

Please contact info@gue.com or 1-800-762-DIVE (3483) and provide all of your pertinent information. We will do everything we can to help resolve your issue based on the circumstances surrounding your request. If you haven’t received your card yet, please be sure you have filled out your QC form. Please note that if a card is requested to be sent any other method than First-Class, you will be required to cover the shipping cost.

A provisional rating means that you didn’t fail a course, but you still have skills to work on before you are evaluated as “Pass,” and are eligible for official GUE certification. Divers should be aware that the original instructor is solely responsible for updating this rating. An instructor may make specific arrangements with another GUE instructor but the original instructor is ultimately responsible for upgrading their student’s provisional rating through the GUE website. The time and fees associated with provisional upgrades are entirely at the discretion of the instructor, however HQ requires you to pay for course registration again if the time since the original course has exceeded 6 months.

The structure of GUE training is as follows:

• Recreational Diver Level 1, 2 and 3 (beginner and advanced)
  • Training includes a heavy emphasis on fundamental skills
  • Level 1 training includes Nitrox; level 2 includes TriOx
  • Level 3 includes Trimix and introduces the theory and practice of limited decompression
• GUE Fundamentals
  • Designed to shore up weakness in fundamental skills
  • Pre-requisite class for Cave and Tech classes
• Diver Propulsion Vehicle Level 1
  • Introduces divers to the use of a DPV in an open water setting
• Technical Diver Level 1, 2 and 3
  • Level 1 forms the foundation of technical diving
  • Level 2 is experienced-based training for aggressive diving
  • Level 3 lays the foundation for exploration diving
• Cave Diver Level 1, 2 and 3
  • Level 1 forms the foundation of cave diving
  • Level 2 is experienced-based training for aggressive diving
  • Level 3 lays the foundation for exploration diving
• Rebreather
  • Trains divers in the use of the Halcyon RB80
  • Requires Tech 2 training

  GUE Fundamentals training is an immensely popular course, affecting the way many individuals think about Scuba diving. Initially GUE Fundamentals was structured to prepare divers for the rigors of technical diving and was established as a pre-requisite for this training. However, most difficulty in diving relates to poorly developed fundamental skills; therefore, GUE began to promote this course to a broader community. Divers around the world have embraced this training as a way to greatly improve the safety and fun within their diving.

  GUE Fundamentals may be conducted in single tanks for recreational divers; technical divers interested in advanced GUE training will use twin tanks. To enter GUE Fundamentals individuals must hold an Open Water rating from a recognized agency (most major agencies are acceptable). GUE training focuses upon the fundamental skills including theory and practical application of buoyancy, trim, teamwork, rescue skills, Nitrox, breathing gases, gas consumption, dive planning, equipment configuration, decompression theory and more. GUE Fundamental dives are video-recorded and used as a teaching tool to help improve diving skills.

Because of GUE’s continuous growth, our Instructors can be found all over the world. To find an Instructor in your area, visit our Find an Instructor page. Can’t find one close to you? Don’t worry! Many of our instructors are flexible and willing to travel. For more details, visit the instructor’s resume page by clicking on their name.

If you are attempting to redeem your free course registration fee that is part of a Gold level or higher membership, please contact HQ and we will activate that for you.

GUE offers a range of membership levels to suit any budget. To view the various levels and their benefits, please visit our membership page here.

Users with an active membership have the option to move to a higher level membership for a special upgrade price. Upgrading works just like purchasing a new membership—it is active for one year from the purchase date and includes all listed benefits during that time.

The first step to upgrading your membership is to first verify that you currently have an active membership. If your membership has already expired, you are no longer eligible for an upgrade and will need to purchase a new one. If you do have an active membership, you can click here to view your available options.

There are many possible reasons why you are not receiving Quest list emails. First, is your membership still active? If not, then you can renew here. If your membership is active, is your email’s spam filter blocking the incoming messages? If it is, check your filter’s settings. If neither of these are the problem, please contact info@gue.com, and we will verify your subscription.

Global Underwater Explorers (GUE) www.globalunderwaterexplorers.org is a non-profit organization formed by leading explorers, researchers, and educators; these individuals are dedicated to the training of divers as well as the study and protection of the aquatic realm. GUE and its associated projects are responsible for conducting some of the world’s most remarkable dives, setting numerous world records in the process. The success of this group encouraged great interest in their diving and procedures. Of particular interest is the promotion of solid fundamental skills for all divers (recreational and technical) as well as their adherence to a common diving standard. This general standard requires the following:

• Divers use the same equipment configuration; this enhances safety and efficiency.
• Divers use the same well-defined set of breathing gases, including Nitrox, Helium and Oxygen; standard mixes eliminate complexity and greatly enhance safety.
• Divers use a team approach during all dives, facilitating fun and safety.
• Divers must have a solid grasp of fundamental diving skills, including refined buoyancy, trim and teamwork; these skills must be developed in concert with the type of dive pursued. Difficult dives require very high levels of skill development.

Over time it became obvious that divers experiencing difficulty in advanced dives and during technical training were suffering from poorly developed fundamental skills. Among other deficiencies basic skills were lacking, including good buoyancy control, efficient propulsion techniques and effective air sharing techniques; this was true despite the fact that applicants were often experienced divers. Consequently, the founders of GUE attempted to shift the industry away from quantity and toward a focus that insisted upon greater capacity from motivated individuals. Over time it became apparent that too many factors were discouraging migration to longer more demanding instruction. Profit driven forces coupled with general inertia encouraged the persistent reduction of diver training requirements. As a non-profit education, research, conservation and exploration agency Global Underwater Explorers appeared better situated to encourage robust training; ultimately this emphasis led to the expansion of GUE’s diver training division.

If you are planning on becoming a Recreational Diver 1 instructor, then the first step is to be GUE Fundamentals certified with a Tech pass. If you wish to become a Fundamentals and higher instructor, you must be Tech 1 certified. The second step is to register as an Intern, which can be done here. Once your registration is complete you will receive an email with more details about your instructor development. You will also gain access to Primer, Doubles, Drysuit, Fundamentals, and Recreational Diver 1 Intern materials. The next step is to complete a minimum of one internship with an eligible GUE Instructor (must be an approved Mentor) prior to attending an ITC (Instructor Training Course). The ITC is a seven day class in which you will gain valuable information, be critiqued and receive feedback on your skill level, and knowledge of GUE curriculum, standards, and procedures. Finally, you must attend an IE (Instructor Evaluation). This is a 3 day session where your instruction (both classroom and in-water) skills will be evaluated. GUE works on a “Signature” System. This means that to be approved as a GUE instructor you must receive two signatures from separate Instructor Trainers.

Recommended:

Diver’s Den of High Springs
www.diversdenofhighsprings.com

Tom & Holly’s Santa Fe River House
www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/54848.html

Rustic Inn of High Springs
www.rusticinn.net

High Springs Country Inn
www.highspringsinn.com

Also, be sure to see our Local Information section for more info about the area!

Additional Accommodations:
*Please note that GUE cannot attest to the quality or service of the following establishments. The following are known accommodations in the area, and listed here merely for your convenience.

Quality Inn
alachuaqualityinn.com

Econo Lodge
econolodge.com

Days Inn Alachua-Gainesville North?
daysinn.com

Casa Rio Vista
rentals@santaferiverhouse.com

Cave Country Lodging
randy@diveaddicts.com

Chateau H2O
www.michael-angelo-art.com/chateau_h2o

Chaval’s Dancing Bear Lodge
Phone: 904-314-4226

Hurley’s Waccasassa Plantation
Cabins for rent
Phone: (386) 454-8256

Ichetucknee Hideaway Cottages
Phone: (386) 935-0844

Fort White Vacation Rental
Phone: 386-497-2917

River Rock Hideaway
www.hostweb.net/riverrockhideaway

Three Rivers Inn
www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/40970.html

Three Rivers Cottage
www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/38928.html

The Cave House
www.cavecountrylodging.com

10 Acre Retreat
www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/38719.html

Webber’s Diving Retreat
www.webbersdivingretreat.com