There seem to be so many Air2 type devices out there in use (in the purely recreational sector) that this was the primer for going to a primary air share. It seems like it's become the new standard due to the popularity of alternate seconds on the inflator hose. I doubt the DIR or GUE protocol had much influence on this decision since the four letter agencies marginalize them anyway.
I can see why SSI decided to go this route. They have to stick to one program to insure standardization, someone had to make the move because the writing was on the wall.
It will be interesting to see how far off the rest of the crowd will be in following suit.
It's about time since the primary long hose is about the best all around system for buddy diving.
As far as confusing OOA divers that only marginally know about the dangling octopus somewhere behind their insta buddy, well there have always been sloppy buddy teams with bad skills, so even with primary donate some will always have trouble, that's just a fact of life these days.
I always thought the old standard dangling octo was a sub optimal configuration. I never really found a holder that worked well. The triangle is good in theory but it's open to too much interpretation.
The other thing to think about besides the comfort of the OOA diver, is the comfort and mental stability of the donor. Many of these older systems leave the donor in harms way and increase task loading possibly making them a secondary statistic.
The long hose/bungee'd second insures that both divers have a good working system.
