Jonnythan,
Please don't take this the wrong way, but I just want to clarify and make sure I'm understanding you correctly.
That there's nothing *competing* with DIR. There's no DIR vs DITORW (doing it the other right way). There's just DIR and, well, not DIR.
So, what was it before DIR came along? DIWOAC - Doing it With Out A Clue?
And what happens if DIR decides, "enough already" and folds. So what then what will divers call themselves? GTHIAHB (Gone To H*** In A Hand Basket) maybe?
Oh my, what would we all do without the Gods to lead us????
Get real!!!
Maybe if some group or agency came up with a standardized diving system that they feel achieves the same level of safety as DIR, there might be some argument there. It doesn't necessarily need standardized gear (the thing about DIR people ***** about most), but it *does* need gear standards. It also needs extensive buddy skills and practice, excellent buoyancy, adaptability, and modularity.
Are you so uncomfortable in your own judgement that you don't believe you can be right unless a group or organization sanctions your decision? Think about what you just said. Is it really not possible to do something right on your own?
Ok, let me rephrase that, let's not make this personal...
Is it really not possible for some person or group of people to do things right on his/her or their own?
However, for seem reason, I don't see this happening. Why? Because I'll bet any effort to establish some diving standard will result in what is basically DIR.
Now, that's a catch-22 if I've ever seen one. If another agency establishes the same standards... well, I think they'd get sued because that would be... well DIR. But, if they change the standards to avoid that, well, according to your words, that would be "well, not DIR."
Oh what a tight web we weave, when we endeavor to deceive...:smirk: