anyone read --> DIVER DOWN ?

[John C. Ratliff]

This is not an adventure book.

It goes through the conditions and sequences of the events that lead up to each of the accidents, and then at the end of each accident, goes through a check list on ways that the accident could have been avoided. It is a good book for those who wish to learn from others mistakes.

Books like these can help keep divers from getting too complacent, and perhaps encourage some to prepare themselves a little better. There’s nothing wrong with that.

My only concern is that this seems to be the only type of books that the general public is currently getting about diving. I agree with books that can help divers; I simply would like to see a more rounded picture presented of diving to the general public.

SeaRat

 

[Daxter]

I am in the middle of reading it now. The book is written for the most part like he writes in Scuba Diving Mag. I agree with other posters in that it is a good read that makes you realize small problems can turn into big ones. I dont think non-divers will find the book to their taste. Just my .02 cents

 

[Solitude Diver]

….Should we focus really closely on all the new adventure books on diving that talk about shark attacks, diving accidents, diving fatalities, and the sense of danger? I don't think so… (edit)… While we can learn from the vicarious experiences of others, we need to really focus on the beauty that we see and experience, that the others on land can only imagine.

My only concern is that this seems to be the only type of books that the general public is currently getting about diving,,(edit)..I simply would like to see a more rounded picture presented of diving to the general public.

You have a good point in general, but (IMHO) the problem with stories that "focus on the beauty that we see and experience”, are that those dives are usually only exciting (at a marketable level anyway) to the persons actually doing the diving. The exception is when you can take a person there (as in videos, documentaries, movies, etc.). And these stories are out there on TV, and videos.

The aspects of diving that make for interesting reading materials on the other hand, have to be exciting, adventurous, and/or dangerous or they are not likely going to sell very well. There are some books out there that do not focus on accidents, death, etc. They are usually adventure stories (finding lost wrecks, cities, treasures, etc.). Some true, some fiction.

There are also good books regarding local diving sites, and about marine creatures, etc. I think if one looks, there actually is a good variety of diving information out there for all aspects of diving.

(Just my 1 cnts worth.)

 

[spectrum]

You are to be commended. No instructor has the time to expose you to all that you really should be aware of.

It's on my to-get list now.

Pete

 

[crpntr133]

No wonder the girl friend got this one for me. Would she buy me a book that I really wanted?...nope. I am sure that I will learn something from it but all I ever hear from her is about the deaths that happen while diving.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

No wonder the girl friend got this one for me. Would she buy me a book that I really wanted?...nope. I am sure that I will learn something from it but all I ever hear from her is about the deaths that happen while diving.

This is what I'm talking about, and the problem that he has with his girl friend is the same problem I have with my wife. Try getting someone you love into the water when this is all we hear about from the media. May I offer a suggested reading:

Submerged: Adventures of America's Most Elite Underwater Archeology Team
by Daniel Lenihan

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/15...4672-5180705?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155

I dove with Dan many years ago, in Lake Tahoe, as I recall after a NAUI High Altitude Diving Conference. This should be a very interesting read, as he has kept with underwater archaeology for many years.

One further thought about the book being discussed here; I haven't heard any solutions to these accident scenarios. I have not read the book, and so I cannot say for sure what the "lessons learned" are coming from their discussions of the accidents. I have read Bernie Chowdhury's book, The Last Dive, A Father and Son's Fatal Descent into the Ocean's Depths (HarperCollins Publishers, 2000). In that book, there is a very good description of that particular accident (Chris and Chrissy Rouse's last dive). But the obvious lessons from this particular incident is not even discussed:

1. Egress problems--getting the divers out of the water while fully geared up but unable to help themselves. The boat was deficient in a means of getting divers out of the water.

2. Lack of a DDC (Deck Decompression Chamber) for deep, decompression dives. If Walter Starck can outfit a research boat with a DDC in the 1970s (read The Blue Reef, Stark and Anderson, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979), then there is no reason other than not being willing to invest (and perhaps a perceived legal issue) for not having a DDC on board during these deep, decompression dives. Cousteau outfitted the Calypso with a DDC in the 1950s, when he wasn't world famous, and had limited funds. Why these DIR divers cannot get a DDC for their diving in beyond me. Why divers would continue to dive without a DDC backup is also beyond me. This is why I refuse to do decompression dives--the infrastructure for safe diving simply isn't there, and "Doing It Right" is not the answer. You have to plan for emergencies, and simply calling the Coast Guard and hoping that they can get you to a decompression facility in time is not going to be sufficient in all cases. You have to realize that these charters are unregulated, do not comply with OSHA rules for commercial diving, and decompression diving off them is risky.

SeaRat

 

[ShoalDiverSA]

Recently finished reading my copy of this book. I found it a very interesting and educational read. Each incident is described in enough depth to understand the shortcomings in technique, skill, equipment selection or the poor decisions made that lead to the incidents.

A discussion follows of the incident highlighting what could have been done to avoid it. Time and again, the avoidance of accidents comes down to simple applications of the skills, techniques and thought processes that are highlighted during the OW course.

Each chapter contains sidebars discussing basic scuba concepts or equipment that is pertinent to that particular chapter. A lot of this can be glossed over, but it never hurts to refresh your knowledge.

This book emphasises the basic elements that should form part of a diver's attitude towards safe diving. I consider it a worthwhile addition to my personal diving library.

My only reservation is that it felt a bit short. Certainly worthy a re-read.

Cheers,

Andrew

 

[Valwood1]

From the preface to "Diver Down" by Michael Ange:
In writing articles of this nature for a number of years, I've found that I invariably receive irate messages or genuine inquiries from people who are convinced that this or that story is about them. Unfortunately, the same types of accidents occur over and over again, and it is extremely rare that any of these individuals are correct in assuming that they were the one(s) actually involved."

The above quote from the preface may be the "scariest" part of the book.

Overall, I thought it was an excellent book. After dismissing the cases where I thought "Geez, how can anybody be that dumb?", I still found many helpful reminders and suggestions, and a recurrent reminder that diving, though great fun, has inherent dangers and inattention can lead to unfortunate results.

 

[ScubaMike14]

I met Michael at Ocean Fest in Ft Lauderdale a few weeks ago. We chatted for a bit, then I bought an autographed copy of the book.

Very good read. It's amazing how most of the incidents (deaths) are caused by big egos and/or lack of simple common sense.

Mike Rushton

 

[Divingnthedark]

I read it while taking my O/W class a couple months ago. My instructor saw me with it, took it away from me (temporarily) and told me, "You read too much!"
<fume>

Temporarily:huh: as in he took it home to read it? You should have charged a rental fee if he did