Quote: (Originally Posted by
alunnewsome)
Having only joined the forum yesterday, I'm probably putting the cat amongst the pigeons, but hey, if I don't ask I'll never know... From reading threads posted over the last few months I understand the role of GUE as a training provider of the DIR skill-set and philosophy. However, within the DIR community is it a requirement to have completed GUE courses to be ‘accepted’? To explain a little more, if someone undertook training with another technical organization (TDI/IANTD etc.), taught by a 'DIR principled' instructor, who introduces and trains them in the use of DIR skills, how 'accepted' by the DIR community would that person be without completing a GUE course? I'm not looking to start a debate on other organizations training methods or skills, what I'm asking is, would you guys, as DIR divers, dive with other DIR divers who have the skills, but not necessarily the GUE 'tickets'? I'm curious to better understand what makes a diver 'accepted' DIR. Cheers p.s. please don't bite me; I'm only here to learn. 
p.p.s. I know most reading this will be working towards/holding GUE certs.
If you are accepted or not of course totally depends on the group.
But I think the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Dive with other group members and let them decide.
But one major thing I read in your post is the constraint on skills. DIR is much, MUCH more than skills and configuration. It is a mindset which is not easily learned from the Internet...