Getting Paid to Dive

[SlvrDragon50]

I think rescuing a snow mobile and tying down a dock is quite different. I would only go into water to pick up items, not repair stuff. If that dock breaks, the handy man is gonna get a whipping especially if it damages a boat.

Picking up a snow mobile on the other hand, its not expected that it will work.

[Sasha_K]

Originally Posted by SlvrDragon50

Picking up a snow mobile on the other hand, its not expected that it will work.

I'm sure they worked out the math beforehand. :-) I heard about more than one case when a couple of guys did this. You can get over a thousand bucks for it.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by DonnyGreen

Does DAN not cover tech dives?

I believe with the higher end policies there is no depth limit, so they don't actually make a distinction between tech and rec, which is good, since there is quite a bit of argument as to where the line is anyway, depending on which agency you speak to.

The law is QUITE clear about commercial vs. recreational diving, however. If work is performed, and money changes hands, it's not recreational. There is an exception carved out for scientific diving, but that's not relevant to the OP's situation.

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by Sasha_K

I heard about more than one case when a couple of guys did this.

The recovery IS expected to work... I think he meant that the previously submerged snowmobile is what's expected not to.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by Sasha_K

I'm sure they worked out the math beforehand. :-) I heard about more than one case when a couple of guys did this. You can get over a thousand bucks for it.

Yes, there's money to be made in search and recovery... although some serious training is definitely called for when you're talking about using lift bags to raise heavy objects, even without getting into the commercial aspects. That's a little different from doing a dive off a dock to retrieve a dropped wallet, and accepting a $10 thank you tip in return.

[DiverMAN]

heck there isn't much i would not do for money, but whenever it is something you like doing take advantage of it...

[violakat03]

I think it depends on how big of a deal you're expecting someone to make out of it. The example of a bolt breaking and someone suing you because their boat is damaged is VERY extreme. How many people have helped someone fix something (above land) that could possibly have gotten them sued? Probably just about everyone. Changing a tire for someone on the side of the road is in the same vein, yet you probably would not think twice about helping someone out in that way, even if they gave you a tip as a thank you. How many people have had a friend say "hey, I need help with something and I'll pay you a couple bucks to do it" such as helping them move and you've jumped on it? You could get sued for that too, but as soon as you touch the water, apparently it becomes a different story.

Don't sign any paperwork, they can't prove you were doing anything commercially, because you didn't sell your 'professional' services. You did someone a favor with the understanding that you are not a professional and cannot guarantee your work.

As far as medical, I hate to say it this way, but as long as no one's going to jump up and scream "he was getting paid for it" then no one has to know. Something happens, just make sure the person asking you to do the favor tells anyone who asks that it was just a favor, not a paid task.

[crosseyed95]

Originally Posted by matt151617

Anyone ever get this, using your equipment and skills for odd jobs? My work offered me a little extra money to clean crap up from the bottom of a swimming pool, and repair a couple spots where the material is chipping. Someone else wanted me to help tie down a dock and offered cash. Should I do this, is it worth it? How much is reasonable?

I've done a lot of "commercial" type jobs. Let's just say that what they are offering you to clean the pool probably isn't enough. Many amatuer "commercial" divers will charge over $100 per hour depending upon the job. The harder the job, the more the hour fee goes up.

If I were hired for pool work (easy stuff), I'd probably charge $50 just to show up and $50 to $75 per hour. This wouldn't include the price for my surface support since I won't do any commercial work without surface support. Lots of rules go out the window doing these things but I never break the cardinal rule of having surface support (another diver) who has gear assembled. Other will break this but I won't.

Just do the simple math of your equipment. What is the price of the gear you are wearing? How much do you have to make per hour if you damage your computer? Then you get into professional liability and your own personal health (like others have already noted).

I'm not saying that commercial work on the side is a bad gig but many things must be considered. Also, if your current employer is paying you for this then you are not doing it as someone self-employed. OSHA has commercial diving regulations that may change your employers opinion.

crosseyed95

[Jenn]

I would consider doing things that are with in my comfort range. Something like some pool work of course that would be some easy money if it is something you are familiar with. Rescue and stuff I would def want some additional training before I jumped in and risked by own life.