Hosted by aquaCORPS Journal founder Michael Menduno, this panel will explore the emergence of technical diving in the late eighties/early nineties, and the transition to mixed gas diving with some of the pioneers who helped define and shape what is now recognized as the high-end of sport diving. Some of the issues we will be talking about are; “This is NOT recreational diving”, diving ‘special mix,’ getting tables, early training, operational standards, deep air, O2 limits, getting bent, fatalities, and big dives.