First, a little history. I got PADI certified about five years ago and have logged about ten dives between then and now. I enjoyed the few times I went out, but as much as I hate to say it, the guy I was diving with (a cousin of mine) was a "stroke" in every sense of the word. This winter I decided to get my poop in a group and come spring start actively diving. My girlfriend (not yet certified) is very interested in diving with me, and I have no doubt she will be a far better dive buddy than my afore mentioned cousin. I have tried to learn everything I could about the sport (mainly from lurking on this board) and have decided to "do it right" from the start. Which of course, leads to a few questions, which is why I'm here. Please forgive me if I ask something stupid, or has already been addressed, I've tried to find everything I can on these subjects, and still have a few questions.
Let me start with a couple of suggestions to questions you didn't ask:
The DIR video and the fundies book are pretty much required material for anyone interested in learning about DIR before committing the time, energy and dollars to the program. Even if you decide that DIR isn't for you, both are terrific resources and any serious diver should be familiar with them. If you haven't viewed/read both, that's a good place to start.
Dump the word "stroke" from your vocabulary. It's too inflammatory for use in public.
The first question is regarding GUE's open water class, specifically when it might be available.
A long-standing question and one best addressed by GUE or one of their instructors.
The first thing my GF asked me is why she should be required to certify in PADI-OW, only to be immediately retrained, and I really can't blame her.
Another long-standing question. The answer is that the diving that GUE is teaching is not something that every day recreational divers need even if they can benefit from it. Think of it this way: most folks learn to drive through their high school and find that education is good enough for the soccer practice/milk run/work shuffle driving they do. Others decide that they need or want more and take classes from Bondurant. Bondurant doesn't teach you to drive, they teach drivers to excel. By the way, I am not a GUE trained diver, just a fan of the style. To carry the driving analogy a bit far, there is usually more than one road that leads to wherever you want to go.
The other question concerns dry-suits. We are trying to get all our equipment together so we're ready as soon as the ice goes out (we live in Northern Minnesota) and I'd like to buy her some appropriate gear. We both have six percent body fat and would freeze in about sixty seconds flat in wet-suits... As far as I can tell, the DUI TLS-350 is the de-facto-standard of the DIR world, and due to my GF's proportions she'll most likely require a custom made one. My questions are as follows: What's the optimum DIR setup for a dry-suit? Specifically, what exactly is a "cave cut" and how does one order it,
Don't get a cave cut suit if you're planning on cold water diving - it doesn't allow sufficient room for the underwear you're going to want. Stock suits tend to fit not-so-good and create problems with trim so (if you're going to do it right) a custom cut suit may be worth the money. The way to order a custom cut suit is to find someone who has measured a lot of folks for the suit you're going to order and to talk to them and the manufacturer about what you want and what they recommend. Travel may be required.
As to the great trilam/crushed neoprene debate: they both have their merits. I'm a trilam guy, basically because I feel that the light weight, quick drying, better flexibility and ability to make quick and effective field repairs outweigh the concerns about durability. YRMV, but I dive the Great Lakes and have a lot of experience with wrecks, zebra mussels and cold water and haven't changed my mind. Yet.
where do you put the vent to best augment DIR's trim ideals (upper arm or forearm)
Snow has a good point about the "final" answer, DIR has evolved over time and can be a little more slippery than it's adherents want to admit. There is also that niggling question about who, exactly, is in charge of deciding. With the caveat that I'm a Hog diver, I believe the current DIR concensus is upper left arm just a bit forward of midline. If you're horizontal in the water with your arms/hands in a forward position, this is the high point on your shoulder. Placed here, the dump can be operated hands free with a minimum amount of contorting and your forearm remains available for other devices.
and are DUI's zip-in neck and wrist seals (or gloves) DIR compliant?
I hope not. They are cute, unfortunately that's often the first sign of a bad idea. My fellow Hog divers might say that they're fine for normal recreational diving but those with more strenuous requirements still tend to look at them as the latest in a long line of too-clever solutions to a problem that might not need solving. If DIR is about the "best" solution and never settling for good enough, I think zip seals fail the test.
