Tut tut! :sheik:
Not every frogman is born near a perfect pond! I commend those who love the sport enough to practice in dark quarries & duck-pooped lakes while they save up for a trip to Sharm-el-Shek or the Caymans. Then again, there are those who enjoy lake diving because they do search & recovery. You can make some candy money bringing up lost outboard motors, eyeglasses, baby buggies, you name it! And staying in practice between trips means that we, the potential vacation boat buddies of the Ladies of the Lake (and men) are safer, too.
Yes, Rich & Welsh, I too have met those whose ambitions exceed their amphibiousness. Usually, guys who need super-advanced certifications (by ThursdaY) to qualify for raises at jobs that involve water work are the biggest hazards. One group I was with had to have 2 qualification dives done by 8am because they had to be to work by 8:30. Then one had 6 more to get done in the next 3 days, including drysuit & rescue certification dives! Do they really have time to learn & get comfortable? Pride comes before a fall, and I dont mean a giant stride, either!