Rawalker,
Not to get into a pissing match with you over this, but a few points...
DIR can have great value as just a way of thinking about what should or should not happen on a dive, and how you can create a better outcome. DIR got big on the Internet in the late 90s and soon after...for recreational benefits..for people who would be unlikely to ever adopt ALL of DIR's concepts , gear and skills.....it was pushed by thousands of people around the world, to help eliminate the mass marketing nonsense, where new colors of BC's , with bigger pockets and more straps, would help to dictate future training ideas....
You should certainly be able to see some benefits to DIR ideas....the proactive prevention of your buddy running out of air, ideas like horizontal trim ( as opposed to allowing people to swim head up and feet down)...and many, many others.
When George decided to do an overhead donning of the gear, this was George being George....most divers even on WKPP, would have their tank sitting behind them on the boat, and sit into it...and I'm sure you knew that What George did demonstrate though, is that if he was in the water, where it is a weightless environment, the bp/wing system would be effortless to put on or take off.
I would not want anyone to be a sheep about this stuff...and as much as George got a lot of bad press from his internet personna, if you were on a boat with him, and started asking real questions, you would be amazed at the courteous and detailed answers you would get....with solid reasons. In person, this stuff was always about showing exactly why we do things, and letting the results speak--the results the new person hearing this/watching , would get as they tried this.
REgards,
DanV
Dan,
I absolutely see the advantages that DIR can have.
I see the advantage to a BP&W (I own 2 BP and 2 wings)
I don't see this as a pissing match the advise you are giving is good for people that want to dive with a group of divers using the same configurations and techniques.
I don't see that happening often outside of formal groups or buddies that make the decision to adhere to a regiment. In that way each member can rely on the gear and skills of their buddy.
Unfortunately I don't consider that a valid option for myself and in knowing that I can also summize it is not a valid option for a great number of other divers.
Divemaster and instructors may often be acting as a solo diver and not able to rely on the student as a skilled buddy. This can often lead to a different choice in configuration. Then there is the insta buddy or having to deal with a vacation diver that makes a few dives a year. DIR may not be something they are familar with.