[jome]

I guess the rule is there because if there are starts on several lanes of a pool then the divers on the middle lanes (only rope) are in an unfair situation.

But I agree that in terms of safety, it would be better to allow pulling/grabbing. The "unfairness" could be handled in a different way, for example starting only on the middle lanes. But I guess they tried it in Renens 2005 (adding a rope before the ledge) and that didn't work too well, Tom got DQd for that.

Anyway, I believe the circumstances should be equal for everyone. Of course it is not always possible to affect things like weather etc. But I'm a bit uncertain if this rule actually helps that much...But I don't see it as a huge problem either.

While we're discussing, I voted for the removal of the verbal ok from the SP. It should be replaced with something else or at least for open water discips be just removed. The first thing a surfacing diver should do is breathe, not try to speak. Just my opinnion, but I feel this compromises safety quite a bit...