What to expect out of a DIR drysuit class?

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zamburinha

Contributor
Messages
102
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Location
Singapore, Austin (TX), Boulder (CO)
# of dives
200 - 499
What the title says. What would you expect out of a dry suit class from UTD or GUE? Any difference between the two? How do you expect such a class would differ from a PADI or similar?

I am trying to speed up my learning of drysuit so I feel confident to use it on cold water tech dives. A recent experience with strong currents (see accidents and incidents) made me realize I am not ready yet to take a drysuit into a challenging/tech environment, so would like to see if a formal class would be a good idea. I guess I am trying to find out if there is value in the class beyond the very basic stuff.
 
The main difference will probably be how the different agencies teach you buoyancy control when wearing a drysuit. Based on what I have been told by my GUE instructor (I did not take GUE's drysuit course), the GUE course will teach you how to dive your drysuit while continuing to use your BC as your main buoyancy control device. Other non-DIR agencies, will teach you to use the drysuit as your main buoyancy control device.
 
The main difference will probably be how the different agencies teach you buoyancy control when wearing a drysuit. Based on what I have been told by my GUE instructor (I did not take GUE's drysuit course), the GUE course will teach you how to dive your drysuit while continuing to use your BC as your main buoyancy control device. Other non-DIR agencies, will teach you to use the drysuit as your main buoyancy control device.

NAUI teaches to use the BC/Wing for buoyancy control and the suit just enough to offset squeeze. I heard PADI teaches the suit as buoyancy, but I asked a PADI instructor friend of mine and he said they don't teach it that way.

I've seen and heard of it done, so I know someone out there is, but I'm not sure who it is. (Maybe some instructors do, regardless of agency?)
 
Im confused. Your profile says you have GUE T1 level. How come you still have this question unanswered:)? I did not know you can progress there w/o being proficient in DS diving. Did you so it in wet suit ? Working on ascends in tech 1 should have this sorted out
 
Ask yourself these questions first:
1) are all your current diving equipments GUE/UTD compliant? Main items are bp/w BC, long hose bungee backup reg, wrist mount depth gauge/timer, compass (no console), non split fins, nitrox certified (GUE at least) ... If not, you are looking to spend additinal money on them.
2) are you planning to go with GUE/UTD tech 1? If so, may as well take their correponding drysuit course.

The way I see it is this. With GUE/UTD, they control their instructor output very rigourisly. You are almost 100% garratteed instructor's quality. I cannot say the say for PADI. Having that said, I have met great PADI instructos too, so if you have a good one nearby, it will be a good choice too.
 
Im confused. Your profile says you have GUE T1 level. How come you still have this question unanswered? I did not know you can progress there w/o being proficient in DS diving.

If you did your T1 in a place where you can safely do such dives in a wetsuit, a drysuit is not required. The OP lists Singapore as one of his locations; he may well have done T1 with Gideon there, and many GUE folks there dive wet. Remember, run time on a T1 dive is mostly going to be in the vicinity of an hour, which is not excessive time in warm water.

I think the biggest difference I would expect between a standard dry suit class, and a GUE dry suit class, is that the GUE class would focus heavily on precise buoyancy control and trim, as well as pointing out to the student where the task-loading of the dry suit might impact his situational awareness. I would also expect the class to be thorough and include a lot of information about dry suits in general, their different characteristics, and their handling and maintenance. As with many classes, it would simply be more demanding and more extensive.
 
NAUI teaches to use the BC/Wing for buoyancy control and the suit just enough to offset squeeze. I heard PADI teaches the suit as buoyancy, but I asked a PADI instructor friend of mine and he said they don't teach it that way.

I've seen and heard of it done, so I know someone out there is, but I'm not sure who it is. (Maybe some instructors do, regardless of agency?)


Your friend needs to go and READ his DS outline AGAIN.:shakehead:

PADI does teach to use the drysuit for buoyancy(and I fully agree)
BUT PADI teaches this from the standpoint of a single tank.
So when with the right amount of weihts you WILL be neutral with just the squeeze removed.

Diving with HEAVY doubles is a whole diferent story.
 
If you did your T1 in a place where you can safely do such dives in a wetsuit, a drysuit is not required. The OP lists Singapore as one of his locations; he may well have done T1 with Gideon there, and many GUE folks there dive wet. Remember, run time on a T1 dive is mostly going to be in the vicinity of an hour, which is not excessive time in warm water.
Ok I must have been under impression that they run the class in DS even in warm water as I know some folks did it in DS in Mexico. But its probably not mandatory.
 
Your friend needs to go and READ his DS outline AGAIN.:shakehead:

PADI does teach to use the drysuit for buoyancy(and I fully agree)
BUT PADI teaches this from the standpoint of a single tank.
So when with the right amount of weihts you WILL be neutral with just the squeeze removed.

Diving with HEAVY doubles is a whole diferent story.

To be fair, he was a new instructor at the time, and we're in Texas, where drysuit use is uncommon, so he had never taught the class personally. He was probably going from recollection.

I'll let him know, thanks!
 
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