Scuba Diving "Bible" / Reference Book?

[BobbyWombat]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a good reference book on scuba diving. Something that goes beyond the PADI OW/OWA course material and has some practical instructions, as well as more discussion on gear options, etc...

Is there a scuba diving "bible" that is the go-to source for general scuba diving questions?

Mountaineers have a book called "Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills" that covers just about everything you need to know about that subject.

For instance, my PADI material doesn't say anything about

1. Pony bottles - how to mount / use them
2. Hogartharian Harness
3. BP/W setup
4. Cave Diving / Wreck Diving (of course I would need to get certified before doing this...but I'm the kind of guy who likes to know the material going into the class)

I've read a lot on this stuff on Scubaboard, and I'm interested in having a good refernce source on my bookshelf that I can pull anytime.

Thanks!

 

[johnny_bravo]

Is there a scuba diving "bible" that is the go-to source for general scuba diving questions?

For general diving matters the PADI Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving is a great resource.

For instance, my PADI material doesn't say anything about

1. Pony bottles - how to mount / use them
2. Hogartharian Harness
3. BP/W setup
4. Cave Diving / Wreck Diving (of course I would need to get certified before doing this...but I'm the kind of guy who likes to know the material going into the class)

Thanks!

I'm not sure if there's an all-encompassing diving resource that can beat Scubaboard on these matters.

Cheers.

-J.-

 

[RobbieTheHun]

Here are a few titles that I currently own and have found very useful;

NOAA Diving Manual
The Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving
Diving Science
Complete Wreck Diving
The Fundamentals of Better Diving-Jarrod Jablonski
The Fundamentals of Cave Diving- Jarrod Jablonski
Dress For Success-Dan Mackay

I'm sure that other divers will add to this list.

Safe diving.

RTH

 

[Dash_Riprock]

Add to that the NAUI Master Diver manual - A great referance source for physics, physiology and equipment issues.

The Scuba Board is great for nit-picking any issue to the end

Al

 

[hydro12]

I second what Robbie suggested w/ the NOAA Diving Manual - there seems to be most everything in that book.

 

[ZzzKing]

The US Navy Diving Manual is not too shabby.

 

[SLANG]

Like others have already pointed out, there really isn't one single reference book that covers every aspect of diving, and many good ones have already been listed here. There's one other manual that I always felt should be in every serious diver's library -- the U.S. Navy Diving Manual. I think Revision 5 is still the most current version. The thing is, these days you can download this from any number of sites on the internet if you choose not to purchase your own hard copy.

http://www.supsalv.org/pdf/Diveman.pdf
http://www.operationalmedicine.org/TextbookFiles/NavyDiveManual.htm

Good luck and good reading.

 

[rawls]

I looked at your profile and there is nothing about your training level. What "class" are you going into. There are many ways to set up pony bottles. Hog harnesses...there are probably as many different ways to fit them as there are divers diving them. BP/W's...It is a back plate attached to a back inflation wing, simple as that. Although there are differences in BP/W's, they are all basically set up the same way. What level of experience are you? Are you going for a basic open water certification? If so, I would suggest you don't try to get to far ahead of yourself. All the materials listed are great references, but if you are new to diving, they may be way over your head...I guess I could make that a pun...More info please. What is your training level...

 

[shurite7]

I've never found an "all encompasing" book. I do like book mentioned above, The Fundamentals of Better Diving-Jarrod Jablonski.

There are many, many books out there that are quite informative. Shadow divers is easy reading and easy to understand.

Continuing your training and gaining experience can be a book all unto itself. For instance I thought my buoyancy was quite good after I completed my ITC along with my IDC and completed various tech courses. Several hundred dives later I now realize my buoyancy has improved immensly.

Salaam

Chris

 

[Thalassamania]

NOAA manual comes closest to what you're looking for. Others are all good references.