Recommend a good dive book

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Thanks a lot! I recently came across this book while searching - "Soviet Manual Of Scuba Diving (Paperback)"...do you think it would be any different from all the rest?
 
It's hard to know what to recommend to you, because I don't know anything about you and what kind of diver you intend to be.

If you are interested in an accessible reference with a lot of information on a variety of topics, the PADI Encyclopedia is actually a very nicely put together book.

If you are looking for something to fill in some knowledge "holes" after an OW class, Clay Coleman's Certified Diver's Handbook is a very nice book, with a lot of good information to help a new diver get out there and actually DO some diving.

The Navy manual and the NOAA manual are excellent, thorough references, but not particularly readable. And if you are interested in specific topics (decompression theory, diving physiology, etc.) there are other, more focused books that could be recommended.

If you like books, I suspect you will end up with more than ONE book on diving . . .

Thanks a lot! I read your dive journal long back and referred it to a lot of newbie friends as well. It was definitely an encouragement for all of us...

Here are a few books that I am considering: Would welcome your views on them before I make the purchase.

Diving Science (Paperback) 2004
Soviet Manual Of Scuba Diving (Paperback)
SCUBA Diving (Eyewitness Companions)
Deep Diving, Revised: An Advanced Guide to Physiology, Procedures and Systems

I see that you are right about ending up with more than one book But for the time, any two that would be right? I am getting my OW certification from PADI next week...
 
Not just theory and physiology. Lots of history of deep diving and some amazing stories about true deep diving pioneers.

Recommend it highly

Deep Diving, Revised: An Advanced Guide to Physiology, Procedures and Systems (Paperback)

Amazon.com: Deep Diving, Revised: An Advanced Guide to Physiology, Procedures and Systems: Bret Gilliam: Books

It says Amazon is out of stock. I have a new copy. If you need it, please PM me.

Best,

Great book! I am finishing Deep Diving- great reading!!! It was reccommended by my LDS owner. Great read but he said some of it might be outdated (ie: computers weren't in widespread use yet) but it will help as concepts are great. More knowledge, more power, safer dives.

I will look at getting the other books NOAA etc... Too cold to dive (for me) and no classes scheduled but I can read, learn and keep on the SB!

Thank you and everyone on here for all the advice- the good the bad and the holy sh** I can't believe they said that!
See you when the pool opens!
 
Soviet Manual Of Scuba Diving (Paperback)

Google Book result for that one here. Good preview though you might need a US IP address to view. I have some friends in Norway that occasionally have issues with access to some items in Google Books. From the preview, I would not do it personally.

Deep Diving, Revised: An Advanced Guide to Physiology, Procedures and Systems

This was an excellent book, easy reading, solid information, well explained examples. (Mixed Gas Diving that was released around the same time was another good book)

If it were me, I would consider "Deeper Into Diving" by Lippmann and Mitchell next. This is a well written text that does what the title infers (The authors speak for themselves).

After reading that one, if you have more interest in deco theory, Mark Powell's book, "Deco for Divers" is the best review around (well researched, referenced, and written). If your interest was more physiology, "Diving Physiology in Plain English" would be a good next step.
 
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You might enjoy reading some of the training material for future dive courses you plan to do after OW - eg AOW, Intro to Nitrox, Advanced Nitrox & Decompression Procedures (if you think you may go in those directions in the future). Personally I prefer the TDI manuals/courses over the PADI equivalents

If you choose this route, I would suggest reading them in the above order

For non course-related deep diving books, I would recommend Shadow Divers or any of Sheck Exley's books if you 1. are interested in deep diving and 2. won't get put off by reading about people dying/nearly dying while diving
 
I'm with Gene . . . If you're interested in something focusing on deeper diving and decompression, Lippman and Mitchell's book is very educational, and quite readable.

There are a lot of topics other than decompression, however, which is why I think the PADI Encyclopedia is a good place to start. It's not expensive, widely available, and talks about things like how regulators work and what the various kinds of BCs are. It's easy for someone with an OW background to comprehend. Once you get through it and are still curious, the whole "one book" thing is out the window . . . :)
 
A new diver starting out may not know which type of diving direction you may choose to take. Choose an unusual dive location and discover the hidden dangers, like Costeau's "Silent World". . . Written by a French naval commander. Interested in treasure hunting? Diving for Sunken Treasure, by Cousteau leads to treasure other that Gold. The pioneer of ocean ecology writes about his struggles with the French government in the "Living Sea" If you want to read about many different topics, from diving pioneers, "Cousteau's Underwater Treasury" is a treasury of early divers.

All of these books were written before "Sea Hunt" and the Cousteau specials. Each can be found in large bookstores with older books, and each is available on "ebay". I found mine, several in first edition, with dust jacket. . . These early books were printed in small numbers, by an unknow author - Jacques Cousteau, and have an excellent chance of going up in price. . . But mostly a fantastic journey with the pioneer of diving.
 
Sorry to sound stupid, but how do I pm :)) I am definitely interested.

Just click members name and select "send privat message"
 
I couldn't possibly imagine a single book about diving that could cover all of the aspects. So, there are a lot of specialized books referenced above: get them all.

However, for a historical prospective, "The New Science Of Skin And Scuba Diving" 1969 edition is a fun read. First, it discusses how it used to be done. More important, you can see how little has changed in 40 years. In fact, there are some techniques in the book that I don't believe are taught today - and should be.

Mask clearing is one...

I bought this book to gain insight into double hose diving. That will work out, in time. But the book has so much more to offer.

As to PADI's Encyclopedia? Obviously these guys were paid by the word.

Try Alibris: Used Books, Used Textbooks, Rare & Out-of-Print Books - that's where I get all of my used books.

Richard
 
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