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On Sun, 8 Aug 1999 21:42:03 +0100, you wrote:

>Why not issue a DIR standard for equipment manufacturers to work =
against?=20
>I know all the info is available on various web sites but if you want to=
 move the industry along then publish guidelines on specific pieces of =
kit ie,=20
>"these are the key features of a DIR bc/wing x,y,z" a standard if you =
like. Manufacturers who produce gear to that standard could use a DIR=20
>logo in return for a royalty to the WKPP

This seams to be a good idea on paper, but in practice it is too
far-fetched. From my understanding, the WKPP is a research and
exploration organization. While their methods can be used for all types
of diving, they were originally developed and refined for their
organization. If they were to start "licensing" DIR configurations, then
they would no longer be primarily research oriented. People would start
saying that they would sell out to get money and royalties. It's like
the USDCT fiasco with their gear covered by stickers from every sponsor,
no matter how well it worked or was of use. I'm afraid now that with all
their efforts, other companies are going to try to cash in on their
image. Pretty soon we'll see gear makers state they their stuff is
"DIR-compliant". Granted, many people like to complain about their
methods, most know of what the WKPP can do and respect that. If divers
buy gear that literature says is "DIR-ready" or "approved", then they
may be defrauded, or in the least, trying to dive a system they hear is
the best, but not necessarily understand it. I've even heard of divers
state that they dive a "modified" DIR system, but I have yet to figure
out what that means.
--
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