NWGratefulDiver:But how does that relate to your assertion that an overweight dive buddy is a liability? Would you prefer a slim dive buddy with inadequate skills?
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
Depends. If I get in trouble, I want the best trained buddy available. The size of their waist is not a criteria.
On the other hand, if I'm doing a simple recreational dive at 40 fsw for 45 minutes and I evaluate the risks that I will have to rescue said buddy, I think I'd prefer the slim dive buddy with inadequate skills. Why? Because if I do an honest risk assessment, it's more likely my obese buddy is going to arrest in that 45 minutes than my slim buddy is going to do anything even remotely life-threatening during that 45 minutes that would put himself or me in jeopardy. And I would prefer not to have to attempt a rescue on a large person in full arrest at 40 feet. Purely statistics (and self-preservation).
Realistically, it wouldn't matter to me, because I don't think the risk is that great in either case. Statistics again.
If you were betting on 1000 40 fsw dives, where would you put your money? The morbidly obese guy carrying a lot of lead, lifting tanks, climbing ladders on a hot day having a heart attack or the slim guy dying due to AGE because he had lousy bouyancy control?
I know where my money would be.