Clammy
Contributor
Apparently, yes.
From the title of the original post, the tone was set. Whenever similar threads come up, there are the obvious comments and the subtle jabs from those more physically fit among us. I especially smile when they come from young beginner divers, like those under 40 and having less than say 800 dives.
Some day-dive operations on Roatan warn divers away from AI resorts lest they be forced to dive with pasty overweight people. It is forbidden to notice race, sex, mental issues or any other disease, but fat seems to still be open season. It's the way people are until they gain perspective in life.
If you want a quick glimpse into legal protections, just ask why the airlines haven't really started charging extra. If you can't noodle that out, ask an overweight lawyer. There is no Reverend Al for fat people, but it's only a matter of time.
To the OP: I dive with a number of XXL+ people. I would rather put myself in their hands as a diver in distress because even if they are physically stressed by their weight, they have the training and intelligence to handle the situation. That's how I make my dive buddy decisions.
The only person I ever saw doing in-water CPR (with chest compressions done like a Heimlich Manuever) was grossly overweight by any standard, but she was all alone and giving it hell.
I do not negate advice or training from someone with many, many years of diving just because they have developed a penchant for the local island beer and have disagreeable DNA.
Some people make judgements based on other criteria.
I don't think anyone is equating being fit and healthy to having more skill. But having mores skill is no excuse for being unhealthy and unfit. It may give a little bit of leeway but it's far from being an excuse. I doubt anyone here would choose the most fit unskilled diver over the more unfit yet infinitely more skilled diver. But, skill and experience can be learned an had just as weight and cardiovascular strength can be dropped and worked on. Just as you wouldn't tell a fit inexperienced diver "hey, you're in shape, you don't have to work on skills" you should be able to tell an experienced over weight diver "You should probably get back into shape a bit."
Also, we're not talking about your general endomorph who is a bit soft and roundish. We're not saying everyone has to look like a muscle magazine cover. Endomorphs have their level of fitness and fat that is perfectly medically acceptable and healthy just like Ectomorphs can be sufficiently skinny and be healthy and fit. We're talking about obese, grossly overweight, unhealthy, and unfit people. This is NEVER okay. Even for those with a genetic defect or hormone problem, that's why they try to FIX it.
You don't have doctors going, sure go ahead, eat more, gain weight, and go put excessive strain on your cardiovascular and respiratory system. It's perfectly fine.
Last I checked the ONLY doctor that's okay with that is Dr. Nick. "Hey Everybody! Remember, if you rub the food against a piece of paper and it becomes transparent, then you can eat it!"
Oh and yes, if you take up 2 seats in a plane, I think you should pay for 2 seats. As harsh as it sounds, why spread the cost around to everyone else because one person can't put down the bigmac and take a lap?
) to go smoothly. 
