I wasn't criticizing you - I genuinely wanted to know how that type of diving was considered legally. There was another thread recently about a diver who died (I think it was somewhere in Canada) while doing something under a boat (I don't remember all the details, and I can't find the thread). Anyway, there was some discussion about rec divers doing pro work - and the legal aspects and laws around it. Apparantly even something like recovering golfballs was a no-no for rec divers. I was simply curious as to where the line is - brianwl probably nailed it with: 'Wether one gets paid........'stingray1:I never said anything about being stictly a rec. diver, nor strictly on a professional level. Do you not have S&R in your certifing agency? I do and expanded on it. I don't always agree with the agencies. It's usually feed the shop which I usually do not. I dove for 16 years before ever getting a certification and I'm still alive because of my common sense and quick adaptability to changing conditions I'm a natural in zero vis and with lifting techniques as well as search procedures.
Yes I have done some training in S&R, but as far as I remember it came with Rescue - not before. Also I didn't learn how to use a lift bag until IANTD Overhead Environment.
I agree that free exchange of information is fine - my question was only about the legal side of doing S&R for money.