Wow... Well, having only skimmed the thread, let me share some of my feelings(thoughts). I have been diving since 1971. Getting certified in 1975, I started DM ing in 1978, AI in 1979, full instructor in 1987. I have worked with alot of students in alot of situations, and have been involved in real underwater "rescues" and top-water rescues. There's alot I haven't seen, but a whole lot that I have... and that experience has served me well in Tech diving. You have to realize that you are entering a zone where every mistake, no matter how little, has the potential to turn into a "cluster-flop" (as Clint says on TV)
and your options are minimal if you are not able to correctly prioritize the things you need to do to correct the situation and act on them accordingly and have the knowledge and experience to do so. Then there is the matter of your "dependents", if any. What will they think of this and what will they do if you are not around any longer. I had over a thousand dives when I started tech, and I don't necessarily think you need to wait that long. I just felt extremely comfortable dealing with wildly exciting emergencies (spear fishing clusters) and managing other people's problems (students), looking for them before they happen and processing what to do if they did happen. I think your DM and certainly Nitrox would be a good place to start. Assist with alot of classes, and there you will experience a multitude of things that will serve you well as you progress further. Take every equipment technician course you can and understand as much about your (and other's) gear as possible, learning how to sense problems starting and to prevent or handle them. THe time to learn is not when you are 250 feet below the surface with a 70 minute hang time before you can reach the surface, longer if you experience a loss of deco gas (read "The Last Dive" by Berne Chowdury). I sense you will be a great tech diver... and that you will want to go "all the way". Most of my fireman and policeman (and woman) friends make great divers, and those I have run across in Tech diving are great at that too. It might also be good to get on your local S & R Team with your department. Diving "black water" teaches alot of self confidence too and provides great challenges. I guess all this is wrapped up with... "get lots more experience". Your profile says around 70 dives. 
That's good, but there's alot more to experience yet that will prepare you for what lies ahead in caves, deep wrecks, etc. I hope this is received in the caring spirit it is intended and does not sound like arrogance. Good diving...! 
ITB
