Before we all get too excited about the thread, consider the source.
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http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19411&pagenumber=4
Check out last post on this page for an example of this guy's skill sets and attitude. Enough said.
As to the questions about the required equipment for DIR-F, I specifically asked my DIR-F instructor about the required equipment. All you need is (1) a primary regulator on a 5 or 7 foot hose; and (2) a backup regulator on a bungee around your neck. Other gear configurations are perfectly acceptable; however, you should anticipate a discussion of why the BP/Wing may work better for you than a traditional BC.
There should not be a major problem doing DIR-F in a wetsuit, so long as it is appropriate for lengthy exposures in whatever water you are diving. That was another question I asked my instructor.
I disagree with claims that GUE is inflexible. My GUE instructor, Bob Sherwood, is a WKPP and Britannic expedition diver. He has been there, done that and, quite literally, bought the T-Shirt (which he wears during class). He is absolutely convinced that DIR's configuration is the way to go. However, he is also willing to explain why, in as much detail as you can stand.
Bob tells everyone that DIR is a holistic system that evolved from cave diving. It is a system that focuses on risk minimization and streamlining Insofar as GUE is convinced that its configuration and skill sets have minimized the risk associated with their diving, they are unwilling to change it because a change would, by definition, increase risk. Similarly, adding gear or changing to a BC will decrease streamlining.
However, Bob tole me that GUE recognizes that people are applying the DIR style to other types of diving. For that reason, it may be necessary to modify the system in order to deal with the differences.
Nobody says that a diver can't modify a DIR gear configuration to suit your personal preferences. However, the diver must recognize that doing so may increase risk and/or decrease streamlining. For example, changing to a BC with quick disconnects increases the chance of a failure (a piece of plastic is more likely to fail than a continuous piece of heavy belt). The chance is still very small; however remains larger than GUE's preferred method. Whether the increased risk is acceptable to the individual diver and to his/her buddy is their choice.
The same goes for non-standardized gear configurations. No one at GUE will tell you that you can't dive if you don't have your can light on your right hip and your deco gasses under your left arm. The will simply tell you that you can't dive with them.
The same goes for skills.
I (and, I suspect, most of us) do the same thing whenever we dive. We look at a potential buddy, check out his/her gear configuration and decide whether we willing to do the dive in question with a person using the rig at issue. We also inquire about the person's skills and experience.
I'll dive with just about anyone at our local training cove, so long as they are minimally qualified. I'm much more picky about more complicated wrecks. I'll dive my two favorite subs with a very small group and penetrate a wreck with exactly two people.
To suggest that y'all aren't doing the same thing is naive.
