DIRdude is DUI DOG of the week!

Just for fun we submitted a photo of my new drysuit to DUI for entry as DOG (DUI Owners Group) of the week.

The response from DUI was extremely warm and friendly and now a few weeks later Rich has been made DOG of the week!

Check out the article here.


Thanks DUI!

What is GUE?

Global Underwater Explorers (GUE) was created to increase the quality and diversity of aquatic education. GUE was founded by conservationists, explorers and educators with a desire to see the mystery of the underwater world explored, studied, protected and shared. Global Underwater Explorers is prepared to redefine the nature of aquatic activity in three specific areas: education, research and exploration.

GUE's educational programs have been designed for the discriminating diver interested in obtaining the best possible instruction. Toward this goal all GUE educational programs combine comprehensive dive instruction, extensive task-oriented educational materials and detailed environmental literature. The Global Underwater Explorers educational program is structured to create the world's most experienced and proficient divers. To accomplish this goal GUE will select only the most dedicated and experienced individuals to conduct their training.

In addition to their unique approach to diver education, Global Underwater Explorers is the first training organization to focus significant resources on scientific investigation. Specifically, their goal is to dramatically increase the quantity and quality of underwater research through sponsorship of original research initiatives and the application of advanced diving techniques.

In addition to their personal role in exploration efforts, GUE representatives are in a unique position to share their experiences with a host of willing participants. By assisting other teams with the development of viable exploratory techniques and sharing in the distribution of available funds, GUE is prepared to drastically expand the nature of international exploration.

Global Underwater Explorers is a complete resource for the underwater enthusiast with a specific interest in seeing the underwater world explored, studied, protected and shared. The future of the underwater world is replete with unique opportunities; regardless of one's specific area of interest, Global Underwater Explorers has created a nexus to bring together the best of sport, technical and research diving in the service of environmental protection and understanding.

(©2000, Global Underwater Explorers) *
For more information about GUE, please visit their site at: www.gue.com

What is DIR?

The "Doing It Right" (DIR) system evolved out of the exacting demands of the world's most extreme exploration diving, yet the approach is rapidly gaining favor among all levels of divers. Everyone benefits from a system that makes the underwater experience safer and more comfortable. The DIR system is much more than an equipment configuration. It is a diving style that ensures every aspect of each dive represents safety, fun and efficiency.

Leading explorers long ago realized that a confused or delayed response to emergency situations creates an unacceptable risk. DIR attempts to bring the practical solutions to safety and productivity honed in the world of exploration into the classroom for entry and advanced divers. Risk is managed by streamlining and minimizing gear configuration. Buddy communication skills are refined to heighten awareness of the dive environment. Taken together, rethinking your gear configuration and your approach to teamwork puts you back in the middle of the dive.

Unfortunately, there is a prevailing assumption that standardized equipment, clean configurations and attention to detail are only for "technical" or other rigorous diving conditions. In reality, clean and simple universal configurations are even more beneficial for divers with limited experience. GUE representatives have discovered that training all divers with standardized equipment has been highly successful.

(©2000, dirQuest, Issue 1.1) *
For more information on the DIR philosophy, please visit www.gue.com and www.dirquest.com

GUE Fundamentals

PURPOSE

The GUE Fundamentals course is designed to cultivate the essential techniques required by all sound diving practice, irrespective of level or environment. Functioning as a prerequisite for all other GUE classes, save its recreational diver course, GUE Fundamentals performs a three-fold function within the GUE curriculum:

1. it provides the recreational diver, in whom there is no desire for further diver training, with a context in which to advance his/her basic diving skills, thereby developing more comfort, confidence, and competence in the water; and
2. it provides the diver with aspirations of more advanced diver training with the tools that will contribute to a greater likelihood of success; and
3. it provides non-GUE trained divers with a gateway into GUE training.
   

PREREQUISITES

• Must meet GUE General Course Prerequisites as outlined in Section 1.6
• Must be a minimum of 16 years of age
• Must be a certified open water diver from a recognized training agency
• Must be able to swim a distance of at least 50 feet/15 meters on a breath hold
• Must be able to swim at least 300 yards/275 meters in less than 14 minutes without stopping. This test should be conducted in a swimsuit and, where necessary, appropriate thermal protection.
  

COURSE CONTENT
The GUE Fundamentals course is normally conducted over a 3 to 4 day period. Combining lecture and practical (in-water) sessions, this course focuses on cultivating the foundational skills required by all diving practice. It is focused on increasing diving fun by reducing stress and increasing diver proficiency through proper control of buoyancy, trim, propulsion, teamwork, and other DIR principles. Course requirements include a minimum of 10 hours of academics and five in-water sessions; at least two of these dives must include a depth of 25ft/8 meters.

GUE Training

Global Underwater Explorers (GUE) 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.
  

GUE Training
The structure of GUE training is as follows:

Recreational Diver Level 1 and 2 (beginner and advanced)

• Training includes a heavy emphasis on fundamental skills
• Level 1 training includes Nitrox; level 2 includes Helium

GUE Fundamentals
The GUE Fundamentals course gives students the skills and techniques to be able to be in complete control in the water and takes a comprehensive look at the diver as a self-contained unit, exploring every single aspect of what affects the diver in the water. From pre-dive planning, to critically looking at equipment choice, to propulsion and maneuvering techniques, to team communication and emergency protocols, to even the gas that the diver breathes, every single component is explored in detail to understand what their risks and benefits are. 

• Designed to shore up weakness in fundamental skills
• Pre-requisite class for Cave and Tech classes

Technical Diver Level 1, 2 and 3

The GUE Technical Diver Level 1 and 2 courses take these skills and further refine them to bring the diver beyond recreational ranges. These courses introduce the equipment and gases necessary to do these sorts of dives and explores the risks and contingencies of decompression diving. 

• 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