The more I watch and learn, the more I'm becoming convinced that the major rec. training agencies are producing "Underwater Tourists", not "Divers". (There are some instructors who are making divers, but lets face it, it's the exception overall) I know that my knowledge has grown exponentially since I've joined the board. I went through my AOW book again last night, along with my OW book. No real content at all on gas planning, figuring consumption, things like that. There were some guidelines, but not real explanation of HOW to do it for yourself. I've learned that you also have to, in many (most) cases, account for the fact that you ARE your buddies air, and he's got your in case things go sideways.
For me, the book "Diver Down..." by Agne is what really opened my eyes and made me re-evaluate how I though about my dive and dive planning. It didn't sugar coat things, it made it very real to me. It wasn't until I started running numbers that I realized that 2 people on a 80cf tank at 75 feet isn't a good thing. I am seriously looking at a pony bottle, not to dive longer on a given dive, but so that I can keep diving for the rest of my life.
So thanks guys, you're making at least one diver safer on this board. (and I suspect many others as well)
Steve