Quote: (Originally Posted by mverick)
Buddy didn't have one for 9 years. And drove every day. Lot of friends have had DUI's and every one of them drove. Had to get to work. I didn't have a motorcycle license for 8 years and had a bike. With insurance and plates in my name..
Rebreather death would effect you and your family. Wreck a car and you can kill someone else and there family.... That's why license
I think the discussion about the requirement is about liability and "legal".
If you (general term, not particular) don't have a driving license, yet still drive, then you are breaking the law. If you get into an accident, then insurance will not pay for you or the people you hurt even if you managed to get it written up somehow.
If you don't have the certification on Rebreather, and if you died diving off a charter boat, they could be liable.
Also, if you are in trouble with the unit u/w since you didn't have the training, someone else might get hurt trying to help you.
I am all for training in any form: formal thru agency, mentor or self-training. However, without knowing someone well enough, how can anyone know someone else's capability without at least some proof of "training" ?
Yes, having a license to drive or certification to dive doesn't necessary mean that the person is a great driver or diver. But at least there was some form of formal training and qualifying done...
After all, we don't live in a perfect world. And everyone can't have everything their way, but at least we have some regulations to keep some level of minimum safety for those who could abide by them.