Hey Thrillhouse. A lot of these guys are trying to scare you out of diving deep. They make good points even when they are doing it tongue-in-cheek. If you really want to do it, you need to go DIR. That is what DIR is designed for. I don't dive DIR myself since I don't do the crazy dives. I've had my chamber ride and was lucky I made it there. I don't push limits. DIR divers are cocky, arrogant, and can be pretty abrasive. Several of my friends are hardcore DIR. By the way, DIR is Doing It Right. The gear setups folks mentioned are part of this philosophy. It isn't for the new diver. You need some time under your belt and some experience with emergencies not to mention tons of training. If you want to go for it, that's what exploration is all about. Just minimize the risks. If you try deep without the correct training, gear, and respect for and knowlege of the hazards, it will kill you, no doubt about it. Take your time.