Posted by JRM on September 15, 2000 at 17:04:18:
OK, here's an interesting idea. We've had lots of discussion about dives that only experts should make. And that's fine, except everyone rants about experience but not how to get it. So, with that in mind:
What would you consider to be the "benchmark" dives? Where, what, and in what order? What is it about each dive that makes it a "traderoute?" I'm looking for the stepping stones here, primarily for wreck/"technical" diving.
This second part isn't intended to incite a flame war, so please take it as such... Who do you recommend for further training? I'm guessing that PADI is out based on what I've read here in the past :-). What skills and dives are recommended as preparation for your agency/courses of choice? What benchmark dives should be completed prior to taking your recommended course(s)?
JRM