Don
I believe the KISS principle should be applied in emergency situations. This allows the diver to react to the situation based on a simple practiced procedure. It dosn't get much simpler than look up,reach up ,swim up,exhale cont.
If DIR as a training agency(?) is teaching different, so be it. They have always been a strong proponent of simplicity in gear configuration, to instruct entry level divers this method of handling an OOA,LOA situation would apparently contrevene their normal approach.
I agree that some divers should not be certified, some pilots not licenced to fly,some ship captains not have their ticket and so on and so forth but they passed the required standard. I'll put myself out for a thrashing here, but could the problem be systemic in that once certified, certified for life. But I think that would be for another discussion.
Safe Diving,
John