I am currently a Fundies student (right now in between my first and second weekend).
I have the same impression as @stuartv , it comes down to the individual instructor. Some are more dogmatic than others. All Fundies materials state: "Ask your instructor before you buy any new equipment!" and all GUE instructors will be happy to answer questions regarding configuration.
I can already predict the answer. That is you should not need a sternum strap with a correctly adjusted harness. Adjusting the harness is one of the first things done during Fundies
The main reason to take GUE Fundamentals should be learning to dive GUE way. One important part of it is GUE's rather strict equipment configuration. I would borrow or buy exactly GUE compliant equipment for your Fundies course and change it only after the course (If you still want to). GUE is quite dogmatic, and that style may not suit everybody (me included). Still I think anyone who decides to enroll GUE Fundamentals should try to do things 100% GUE style at least until they pass the course...
If you buy a new harness for Fundies, I can recommend Halcyon. The soft webbing is quite nice and H markings make it easier to make controlled symmetric adjustments.
I have the same impression as @stuartv , it comes down to the individual instructor. Some are more dogmatic than others. All Fundies materials state: "Ask your instructor before you buy any new equipment!" and all GUE instructors will be happy to answer questions regarding configuration.
I can already predict the answer. That is you should not need a sternum strap with a correctly adjusted harness. Adjusting the harness is one of the first things done during Fundies
The main reason to take GUE Fundamentals should be learning to dive GUE way. One important part of it is GUE's rather strict equipment configuration. I would borrow or buy exactly GUE compliant equipment for your Fundies course and change it only after the course (If you still want to). GUE is quite dogmatic, and that style may not suit everybody (me included). Still I think anyone who decides to enroll GUE Fundamentals should try to do things 100% GUE style at least until they pass the course...
If you buy a new harness for Fundies, I can recommend Halcyon. The soft webbing is quite nice and H markings make it easier to make controlled symmetric adjustments.