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> apparently tried to go back down to save Andre, who was NOT fit.).  You may
> feel its the right of an obese diver without aerobic fitness to dive deep,
> but IF WE KNOW HIS CHANCES OF DEATH ARE EXPONENTIALLY GREATER than that of a

It doesn't matter what WE know, it matters what HE knows.  If HE knows
of the added risk and still chooses to push forward that is HIS decision.

Who are YOU to decide what risk level is too much.  The risk of divers
in general is EXPONENTIALLY GREATER than those who stay on land to
play golf.  Should someone come along and tell us we can't dive
at all?  Or should we be grown-ups and let those involved decide
what risk level they choose to assume?

> fit diver, then is it RIGHT to endorse his potentially suicidal choice by
> certifying him???

It is not your RIGHT to play big brother, only an advisor.

> And is it right to allow him to be lost to his wife and
> children, just because he wanted to "prove" he could do something.  And if

Talking in general here, you seem to be saying that a fit diver can
get certified b/c they want to progress, but an unfit diver only
wants the certification to "prove" something?

As I've said before (in rec.scuba), caring about people is a damn worthy
and laudable trait, but part of that caring means not trampling their
rights to make decisions for themselves.  Make them aware of the risks, then
make them aware again.  After that its up to them.  You either respect the idea
of personal repsonsbility, or you decide people can't handle it, and thus
are not responsible for themselves.  Frankly I can't endorse the latter even
though we see it every day.  The only way to encourage the former is
to demand it and accept nothing less.  If you want people to be responsible
for themselves then you have to let them do it, not keep stepping into
their lives and trying to make their decisions for them.


Mike
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