Well, I guess I know who I WONT be diving with.
I cant imagine anyone arguing against this long established norm of SCUBA.
While its true you are likely not much safer and maybe at greater risk diving with a boat load of Yahoos,
if diving with a well healed buddy of equal competence, diving with in both your experience and within
reasonable limits you are MOST CERTAINLY SAFER.
I would argue there is evidence of more fatalities of solo divers, although I would need to search out the statistics. Anecdotally, there are many "I saved my buddy" stories to be found.