Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)THE best [ or one of, at least] authoritative reference book on SCUBA techniques and equipment for recreational divers today. I finished the {c}2001 4th Edition in March.
Reading and owning it is a must for serious divers everywhere, if only for its latest contribution: updated and simplified nitrox tables, designated NN32-A and NN-36A. Readable and comprehensive, it covers nearly all skills for recreational SCUBA, and more. Its akin to getting many certification agency courses in one text, but speaks with the safety record and thoroughness of NOAA procedures [ no inter-agency rivalry here.]
In my readings, it has all useful civilian elements of 1999 USN Diving Manual FM 20-11, such as USN no-stop and decompression tables, advance staged decompression diving, nitrox, recreational diving equipment, mapping procedures, and search and recovery in more detail [ the USN Manual appears to have ommitted tables on whole body oxygen toxicity, potentially a serious omission.]
The USN Diving Manual is written in an easier to read format, and is competitive as a pocket synopsis [ USN Diving Handbook] but is outclassed by the relevance of the NOAA material to civilians. From emergency care to the mechanics of underwater habitats, this book was carefully prepared, beautifully printed in heavy stock paper and bound to last >~10 year cycle between editions. I can't be sure if this is the best format where technology changes quickly, but it is handsome and sturdy.
For DIR aficionados: encyclopedic work tends toward widespread practices rather than pioneering work. So, if Hogarthian diving becomes de rigour its likely to be part of this manual, just as cave and tech diving are represented, regardless of critics of DIR and NOAA.
Click Here to see more reviews about: NOAA Diving Manual: Diving for Science and Technology, Fourth Edition Revised
The Revised Fourth Edition of the NOAA Diving Manual, Diving for Science and Technology, is one of the most detailed diving reference books available and is a valuable resource for all who are interested in a complete encyclopedia of diving technology, equipment, techniques, and procedures. More than 100 authors and reviewers, selected from a diverse spectrum of experts in recreational scuba diving, commercial, military, scientific and research diving, combined their expertise to address the complex issues involved in today's diving. This new edition contains twenty-one chapters on all aspects of diving: techniques to improve the methodology of underwater scientific research, new gear, operational techniques and details to assist the diver in diving safely. In addition, there are ten appendices, including a glossary, references, and a detailed index. The technologies of rebreathers and mixed gas diving, including nitrox and oxygen are included; diving physics, physiology, decompression and diving medicine have been updated to reflect the recent development in the diving industry. The never-before-published NOAA Nitrox Tables and Nitrox Diving Procedures allow deeper and/or longer bottom times to increase diver efficiency when using nitrox, without affecting safety or increasing decompression time. The most current and up-to-date U.S. Navy Dive Tables are also included. The NOAA Diving Manual is a valuable resource all serious divers must have!
