water sports

As an active diving instructor (NAUI, IANTD, NSS-CDS, and NACD, among others) and author on scuba diving safety (The Antarctic Research Diving Manual, IANTD's Understanding Rebreathers, and about 200 diving articles in magazines), I always read new references on diving with a critical eye. When I received my copy of the 4th Edition of the NOAA Manual, I expected to see the same, old, tired information presented in the same, old, tired way as in the Third, Second, and First Editions. In short, I expected "more of the same." I was wrong.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Jim Joiner, as the Senior Editor, had not fallen into that trap. Jim did an excellent job of getting his individual contributors and reviewers to put fresh thought, material, and graphics into their work, measurably improving the content and readibility of the text. Already one of the "standard" texts on diving, this edition of the NOAA Manual far surpasses the previous editions, and provides up to date information on a wide range of subjects and procedures.

If you are at all serious about diving, this book is a "must have." Buy one now, even if you already have the earlier editions... it is well worth the money!

THE best [ or one of, at least] authoritative reference book on SCUBA techniques and equipment for recreational divers today. I just finished over half of the {c}2001 4th Edition tonight.

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 all the certification agency courses in one text, but speaks with the safety record and thoroughness of NOAA procedures. In my readings, it has all useful civilian elements of 1999 USN Diving Manual FM 20-11, such as the USN no-stop and decompression tables, but also dives into advances in staged decompression diving, nitrox, recreational diving equipment, mapping procedures, search and recovery in more detail [ the USN Manual lacks a discussion and 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 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.

This book takes theory of mixed gas diving seriously. Extreamly detailed you can find all gas and diving related formulas and gas composition data. It's an ideal book for those involved in this matter like commercial divers and mixed gas blenders. The good thing about this book is that it's presented in such a way that even the novice mixed gas diver can understand.