A Book for New Seasons

[Thalassamania]

OK ... you're a diver with a couple of years under you belt and a few dives. You want something to read to update yourself and all you've got on the shelf are the books from your entry level and maybe advanced class. What single book would be the most help?

 

[TSandM]

You asked for one, but I'm going to offer two: One is a general reference, with some information about almost everything, including material on gear, some on procedures, and some discussion of the ocean, its behavior and its denizens. That's Clay Coleman's Certified Diver's Handbook. It's not technical, and it's well written and easy to read. It would be ideal as a follow-up to original training, but not for someone whose curiosity has already led them into doing much other reading.

The other book is one I just finished, which is Lippmann and Mitchell, Deeper into Diving. This is a very good overview of decompression physiology and decompression models and their derivation, similarities and differences. The final section goes very briefly into some issues regarding technical diving, including a quick introduction to calculating best mixes and to the benefits and issues with the use of helium. It's well written, well organized, and I found it extremely interesting.

 

[TheRedHead]

The Technical Diving Handbook by Gary Gentile.

 

[Thalassamania]

My list starts with the NOAA manual.

 

[DivesWithTurtles]

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The other book is one I just finished, which is Lippmann and Mitchell, Deeper into Diving. This is a very good overview of decompression physiology and decompression models and their derivation, similarities and differences. ...

Be sure to go for the newly updated 2nd edition of Deeper into Diving, available here. It is not yet available on Amazon. (They still have the older 1st edition listed.)

 

[TSandM]

It's the new edition that I have. It's a very good book. But I suspect I should acquire the NOAA manual as well, particularly as Thal recommends it.

 

[Nomad]

The top of my list would definitely be this book. Although at first glimpse it is merely a fish finder, there is much more to it than that. I have reread it countless times and I find that I learn more each time I read it.

Additionally, it is available in a waterproof edition to take with you on those long deco stops.

 

[Jcsgt]

The top of my list would definitely be this book. Although at first glimpse it is merely a fish finder, there is much more to it than that. I have reread it countless times and I find that I learn more each time I read it.

Additionally, it is available in a waterproof edition to take with you on those long deco stops.

LOL!
That's about my reading level!

 

[knotical]

Then there's the US Navy Diving Manual, found on this page:
http://www.supsalv.org/00c3_publications.asp?destPage=00c3&pageId=3.9

 

[Thalassamania]

Here's a PDF of the AAUS Proceedings of the Advanced Scientific Diving Workshop
lots of stuff on dives to 300 FSW, as well as mixed gas, surface supplied, rebreathers and computers.