Bob "Grateful Diver" this is a great thread!
You are very astute in that sooner or later rescue REC SM will need to be addressed.
It is more case specific with different rigs but very relevant when teaching Rescue.
In my Tech / Cave training this has been discussed and suggested that we attempted to try the cave diver tow from about 200' from the sign.
It was much easier to discuss than to perform it on a 6'4 dive buddy!
When it was his turn I had to be the vic, I came to understand we all need to practice rescue techniques.
It was far more difficult than my REC Rescue coarse.
There will be plenty of things in the future that will need to be addressed.
For another SM or BM diver it is going to be easier to recognize the rigging but in the REC world this could be a big issue.
Knowing where pinch releases are and chest straps the how to get you outs of a rig can be a tall order for anyone.
Let's just admit that you might have the same SM harness but be far from uniformity if comparing 6 divers.
Am I arguing for some standardization? Not sure but I am certain it will come up eventually.
Sm is developing into various aspects of REC diving and still being case specific in the Tech realm.
Possibly a REC standardization for OW is in order to help with the Rescue issues.
Just tossing these ideas out there!
Now that PADI is on the scene I am sure that they are working on it even now.
I am not trying to pick a fight but just saying!
CamG Keep Diving....Keep Training....Keep Learning!