[Clare Gledhill]

GUE Fundamentals is an introduction to GUE which does require a few bits of kit if you want to take part on the course. Ity's not that odd to ask people who wish to learn about something to use the gear on the course - I doubt any CCR instructor would allow you to do MOD 1 without a bought or borrowed unit.

Non split fins (to do the kicks we practice on the course)
A wing and backplate with a continuous harness - we fit this for you on the course and show you how to use it so there would be little point in not having one available.
A long hose - as we teach from the mouth donation.
A non bungied wing of appropriate size - again, we will show you how to use it on the course.
If you dive a twinset then it must be manifolded as you will be taught shut downs.

It's not about having to pay for it all in advance - especially if you haven't decided to switch over. I have lent entire equipment sets to people who have come along wanting to take part and see what we have to offer and I know that other UK instructors do the same.

So.... having said all that, why do DIR divers end up looking the same?

Well to be honest once I decided to follow the DIR training method, whenever I bought kit I bought the kit which was recommeded so gradually shifted my gear to what is the 'standard'. I started in quatro fins and a hunter drysuit, twin 7s with MDE valves and no light. I did up to Tech 1 without a single piece of DUI or Halcyon kit. I had bought scubapro regs when I started diving and I still use these on my stages and a vytec compter which did me up until recently when I decided I wanted a change.