GUE Fundamentals BP/W: Hopeless without Halcyon ?

[Sevenrider860]

OK, so for the moment, I will be going with the ScubaPro X-Tek Donut Wing and practice using that equipment for the time being. I don't intend to take the GUE course before the end of next summer or the beginning of fall 2019 anyway.

If I eventually "grow out of it", I will probably be able to resell it to some unsuspecting victim diver who has less specific needs then myself.

Nothing wrong with the Scubapro X-Tek Pure Tec harness. I would avoid the Form Harness...if you are set on an adjustable harness, the Apeks WTX Harness is a much better solution. Why ScubaPro chooses to put their proprietary inflator on what they market as a technical wing is beyond me. They also include a low pressure inflator hose that is way too long and have a huge knob on the dump valve, but I believe that knob is a CE requirement.

 

[Ayisha]

What an odd position for the dump valve. Does this only work well in a diagonal position? The knob on the dump valve is probably not a problem, because it's probably removable like they often are. We normally remove the knob and just put a knot or two. The inflator hose is really long. My instructor cut my Eclipse hose shorter, not sure how easy it is on the Scubapro. I personally hate the Scubapro inflator and find it difficult to press with my weaker left hand, but most people have more finger strength than I do.

Compare it to:

 

[Ayisha]

Sorry I haven't had time to respond. It's Thanksgiving here.

@Ayisha - a crotch strap can be added to most bp's ... which means your original gear choice could be fine with a small $15 addition ...

Absolutely, if a student is in fact willing to add and use a crotch strap for the course. Standards are standards.

 

[PfcAJ]

Maybe a few added Appendices on the GUE website might do the trick ?

Something a little bit more descriptive, like:
BP\W: avoid square backplates, make sure they are rounded, avoid thick D-rings, etc. (the list you mentioned, and other aspects).
Spools: make sure that they are made of neutrally buoyant material, and that the cord is tied to the axis of the spool, etc.
Regulators: diaphragm, balanced, environmentally sealed, etc.
Miflex hoses: LP good, HP bad.
Etc.

The burden of doing this should fall on the organization, and not on each individual Instructor.
After this effort has been done once and posted on the website, it would go a long way to remove part of the guesswork involved in purchasing equipment. All that would be required would be updates from time to time.

By the way, it's a really too bad that the book "Dress For Success" (published in 2004 ! ) has not been updated after all these years .

Not much has changed since 2004.

 

[lv2dive]

AJ, have you read that book recently? In all fairness, it does need an update. I agree the book has merit as it stands, but a few updates would go very far towards making it much more current. Whenever I recommend it, I always caveat it that it’s almost two decades old and some things have changed.

Not much has changed since 2004.

 

[PfcAJ]

AJ, have you read that book recently? In all fairness, it does need an update. I agree the book has merit as it stands, but a few updates would go very far towards making it much more current. Whenever I recommend it, I always caveat it that it’s almost two decades old and some things have changed.

What’s really changed?

Nearly all of my gear since 2005 (when I took Fundamentals) is the same. Only changes are the can light is stuffed with lithium cells instead of nimh. Maybe a section on computer selection (which isn’t even truly necessary)?

 

[lv2dive]

If I had the book I could speak to some of the details, but honestly, I’ve stopped recommending it bc I end getting at least half a dozen questions about innocuous specifics. Take a look at it and you will see what I mean. You and I know what is important and what can be taken with a grain of salt, but people new to GUE (the target audience) tend to take everything quite literally.

What’s really changed?

Nearly all of my gear since 2005 (when I took Fundamentals) is the same. Only changes are the can light is stuffed with lithium cells instead of nimh. Maybe a section on computer selection (which isn’t even truly necessary)?

 

[PfcAJ]

If I had the book I could speak to some of the details, but honestly, I’ve stopped recommending it bc I end getting st least half a dozen questions every time. Take a look at it and you will see what I mean. You and I know what is important and what can be taken with a grain of salt, but people new to GUE (the target audience) tend to take everything quite literally.

I think it’s probably the questions arise as a symptom of it not being well written and put together.

But as for changes? There just aren’t any really.

FWIW, this isn’t the first time this topic has come up. And no one can ever really hammer down on what “updates” need to occur

 

[lv2dive]

I’ll take a look at it the next time at EE and come back with specifics, since it’s come up in the past. The feedback isn’t just noise, there is some outdated information in there (in addition to the computer discussion) that has a distinctly different tone/message from today’s teaching practices (that I’m aware of). Granted I am not current on the most recent messaging - I took my most recent GUE class over three years ago.

I think it’s probably the questions arise as a symptom of it not being well written and put together.

But as for changes? There just aren’t any really.

FWIW, this isn’t the first time this topic has come up. And no one can ever really hammer down on what “updates” need to occur

 

[PfcAJ]

I’ll take a look at it the next time at EE and come back with specifics, since it’s come up in the past. The feedback isn’t just noise, there is some outdated information in there (in addition to the computer discussion) that has a distinctly different tone/message from today’s teaching practices (that I’m aware of). Granted I am not current on the most recent messaging - I took my most recent GUE class over three years ago.

I think a good equipment guide would be beneficial. Just to be clear. I don’t think dress for success ever filled that role the way it was intended.

I just think there are very few changes to the system since 2004.

PERHAPS a new book could have a clear section on bottle marking and (and I would argue strongly for the inclusion of the bottom of the tank MOD sticker Wkpp style), maybe computer section despite my inherent aversion to relying on one, and I think the DfS book had some baloney in it about bungee loops on stage regs.