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I have to agree with the OP that the story is BS, but for rather difference reasons.Scientists like young, not-so-bright recreational divers to do these kinds of dives because they have a hard time passing these kinds of dives past their Dive Control Boards.
It is against Federal and institutional regulations to do anything like what Frank describes. A scientist doing that runs the risk of having their ability to submit grant applications curtailed and could be dismissed from their position, EVEN IF TENURED!
On the other hand, the Diving Control Boards that I've worked with over the years would have no problem approving a dive to 190 ft, conducted by a pair of divers with 190 ft. cards, in warm clear water, for the purpose of breaking off a coral branch. Doing the dive on air with an AL80 and US Navy tables would not give anyone heartburn. The divers conducting such a dive would have made AT LEAST 68 SUPERVISED dives, with AT LEAST 24 SUPERVISED dives below 100 ft and passed both written and practical examinations on the special problems of both deep and decompression diving.