General Diving Manuals

[6] Tauchen - noch sicherer! O. F. Ehm, Müller Rüschlikon, 1984, ISBN 3-275-00537-5
(a competent source of all the other aspects not covered with [0]!)

[14] U.S. Navy Diving Manual, Vol. 1 (AIR DIVING), 0994-LP-001-9010, Revision 3, 15.2.1993

[15] U.S. Navy Diving Manual, Vol. 2 (MIXED-GAS DIVING), 0994-LP-001-9020, Revision 3, 15.5.1991
(everybody is quoting this one, may it be PADI, NAUI or the like ...THE source of the basics for military and diving in general. This is the Mother of all diving manuals! There are paper versions available for a moderate price. As well you could download the most recent version from the USN official homepage, pls. cf. my LINK LIST )

[48] NOAA Diving Manual, Fourth Edition: Diving for Science and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce: National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, May 2001, ISBN 0-941332-70-5,
(approx. 700 pages, available via: http://www.ntis.gov/product/noaadive.htm,
TOC: http://www.ntis.gov/product/noaadive-about.htm#toc)
(a lot of pictures and charts in 21 chapters and 10 attachments concerning civilian and research diving. It is very topical and written with a lot of dedication. Expanded EAN 32 / 36 tables, 8 p. of references, 17 p. glossary and 16 p.index. As well there is a CD ROM available: ISBN-0-934213-64-X)

[54] Enzyklopädie des Technischen Tauchens, Dr. Bernd Aspacher, 2000
(available at: www.tauchturm.com)
(these lines are devoted as a memento to Bernd!
I hope, his encyclopedia will get widespread use! This book (format A4, 414 p.)
is very detailed and written with a lot of devotion! Here the complete TOC
All aspects of technical diving are being discussed, there are reports from
cave expeditions and interviews with Dr. Max Hahn, Hannes Keller and the like!
A lot of colored photographies and charts are topping-off this unparalleled book.
Result : a Must for every Tec-Diver!)
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[76] Getting Clear on the Basics: The Fundamentals of technical diving, Jarrod Jablonski, GUE
no ISBN, as a download available for 15 US $ at: www.gue.com
(on 142 pages in 13 chapters the basics of technical diving. Making a great visual impact, with a lot of well arranged tables and charts. Mainly the Helium, Oxygen and Deco discussion. An index and the bibliography is missing though. The simple, straightforward and pragmatic view is outstanding among all the other manuals I know!
My result: it's worth reading!)
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[77] "Doing It Right: Fundamentals of Better Diving", Jarrod Jablonski, GUE 2002, ISBN 0-9713267-0-1
(Format A5, 164 pages with 11 chapters and a small index. A lot of interesting photos and useful hints for technical diving.)
more infos: Cover and TOC

[114] Handbuch Technisches Tauchen; Francois Brun, Pascal Bernabe, Patrice Strazzera
Mueller Rueschlikon 2009, ISBN 978-3-275-01678-5
(Here the facts: on 352 pages in 9 big chapters with more than 420 pictures THE CUTTING-EDGE book!
On almost each page we are finding very appealing graphs, tables and hints!
Incl. amendments for the typically german legal situation. Two smaller downers : there is no index and no literaturelist, as well there could have been more hand signals ...
Apart from that really ALL aspects of technical diving are covered in a substantially interesting, competent and, partly, very thrilling manner!
To the preamble from my friend Jens Hilbert (" ... a Must for everybody ...") nothing could be added!
The caption on the back cover (" ... setting new standards. ") is absolutely to the point!)
more infos: Cover
more infos: TOC

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General Diving Medicine

[47] Jolie Bookspan, Diving Physiology in Plain English, UHMS 1995, ISBN 0-930406-13-3, 240 pages,
(Medical processes explained understandably for divers with a lot of descriptive charts and a good portion of humour. All of the dive- and deco-gurus from the States have been participating. Reasonable index, big glossary with 30 pages, a very good didactical composition with short, concise paragraphs and summaries)
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[62] "Diving & Subaquatic Medicine", Carl Edmonds, Lowry, Pennefather, Walker, 4 th. Ed., Arnold, ISBN 0-340-80630-3,
(720 pages, 70 chapters, a lot of colored photos, nothing for weak nerves! In contrast to "Bennett’s Bible" [63] more oriented toward medical themes.)
more infos
The topical, 2010 version, somewhat abriged for divers, online (347 p., 104 MB)

[63] "Bennett and Elliott's Physiology and Medicine of Diving" Alf Brubakk, Neuman et al., 5 th Ed. Saunders, ISBN 0-7020-2571-2,
(780 pages, 15 main chapters, a lot of pictures and many graphs, and over 1.000 references for further reading! Articles from Lambertsen, Bennett, Nishi, Hamilton, Thalmann, etc. ...)
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[64] "Textbook of Hyperbaric Medicine.", Kewal K. Jain; 3rd. Revised Ed., Hogrefe & Huber, ISBN 0- 88937-203-9.
(670 pages, Basic Aspects & Clinical Applications. As the name implies, a textbook, that is with remarkably less pictures as [62] and [63], and more as [62] medically inclined, so this is nothing for the Dive-Instructor Medicine-Layman, but more for a physician, who is diving ...)
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([62 to 64] and [75] are THE standards in hyperbaric medicine. For a deeper understanding of decompression related topics all of these 4 are indespensable. Sometimes these are quite contrary in the explanations. But they are worth the money: all of them! Especially i like some of the more drastic pictures ...For every really professionally working diver a must!

[75] "Bove and Davis' DIVING MEDICINE", Alfred A. Bove, 4 th. edition, Saunders 2004, ISBN 0-7216-9424-1
(approx. 620 pages in 29 chapters the most-uptodate compilation of hot topics. As like in the others books [62, 63] a lot of world-wide reknown experts have contributed (Bove, Edmonds, Hamilton, Vann, Bennett, ...). Approx. 2350 further references, an index with 40 pages. Special chapters like: women & diving, US Navy diving equipment & technologies, medical aspects with caisson/tunnelworkers.)
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Dive Tables, Decompression

[E]Dekompression, Albrecht Salm, TSC Esslingen
(the manual for this specialty course: the abridged online version you will get here for free, the full blown paper-version only during the course)

[1] Schwerpunkte der Tauchforschung, Bd. 1, Verlag SN, Stuttgart, 1982
(a short summary of the Haldane theory on 50 pages ... )

[2] Physiology in depth, PADI Seminar, CA, 1980
(50 pages: the compilation of 8 lectures concerning the adaption of USN tables for recreational diving)

[3] The DSAT Recreational Dive Planner: Development and validation of no-stop decompression procedures for recreational diving, Hamilton, Rogers, Powell, Vann, 28 Februar 1994 (DSAT Script)
(on a high technical level the explanation of design and implementation of the RDP as well with the complete statistical documentation of all the test dives for the RDP)

[4] Dekompression - Dekompressionskrankheit, A. A. Bühlmann, Springer, 1983, ISBN 3-540-12514-0

[5] Tauchmedizin (Barotrauma, Gasembolie, Dekompression, Dekompressionskrankheit) A. A. Bühlmann, Springer, 1993, ISBN 3-540-55581-1
([4] and [5] are relatively demanding explanations concerning the ZH-L 12/16 and ADT models, and a little bit of diving medicine)

[28] DCIEM Diving Manual, DCIEM No. 86-R-35: Part 1 AIR Diving Tables and Procedures, Part 2 Helium-Oxygen Surface-Suppplied Decompression Procedures and Tables; Defense and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine, Canada
(a complete compilation of Air, Nitrox and Heliox tables in imperial and metric format. With a lot of examples, as well tables for Surface Decompression. A very nicely and clearly laid out set of tables and procedures for decompression diving in cold waters)

[29] Deeper into Diving, John Lippmann, 1990, ISBN 0-9590306-3-8
(on 600 pages an easy to understand roundup of medical, physiological and psychological aspects of diving. Special chapters on: breathing, CO2, DCS, HBO, wet recompression, dysbaric Osteonekrosis, women, drugs, mountain lake- & multi level diving, computers and tables, SAC calculations! A very (!) lot of references for further reading after each chapter: a must for diving professionals! It describes the state of knowlewdge and technologies from 1990. Written in a very absorbing style.)
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[31] Physics, Physiology and Decompression Theory for the Technical and Commercial Diver, Bruce Wienke, NAUI Item # 66000, 1998,
(a wild mixture of topics, sometimes only marginal related to diving. Embellished with a little bit of mathematics and statistics. The first 60 pages are a forced march through the complete physics! Basically there are bubbles, generation and growth of, micronuclei, a lot of references and excercises: on 140 pages a lot of material in small print, charts in black-and-white.) (What I do find really questionable: this botch copied its figures no. 1, 2 & 5 without any comment from [102] and even without giving the correct credits to this source!!
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[43] Max Hahn, Dekompression, Delius Klasing Edition Naglschmid, Stuttgart 1996, ISBN 3-89594-050- X, 86 S.
(a volume from the series: "Tauchsport Seminare": an easy to understand introduction to the physiological processes involved in de- and compression, an overview on how dive computers work. Excercises with the (then) new table DECO 92 Version2 and a lot of graphics and charts. At first glance a nice little book but there are a lot of slip-of-the-pen, a lot of calculational errors, the calculated Ox-Tox (CNS) doses for the EAN 32/36 tables are, to put it mildly, not quite what I expected ... as well the EAN50 table is missing)

[60] NAUI RGBM Tables Set of 9, NAUI Prod.no.: 35510.
(A RGBM-Table Set for Air, NN32 & NN36, in the regions for sealevel (610 m), and as well for 1829 m and 3048 m.)

[65] "Tauchmedizin.", Albert A. Bühlmann, Ernst B. Völlm (Mitarbeiter), P. Nussberger; 5. edition in 2002, Springer, ISBN 3-540-42979-4
(on 250 pages the classical book as the new edition of [4] resp. [5]. Personally, I would not rely on the EAN50 table on p. 236 ...)
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[71] "Reduced Gradient Bubble Model in depth", Bruce R. Wienke, Best Publishing Company, 2003, ISBN 1-930536-11-9
(on 70 pages in format A5 a small booklet, a botched job, carelessly written without any devotion, with a lot of calculational and typing errors! The label "in depth" simply beggars any description: these informations you could download for free from my DOWNLOAD AREA , but as well with the same flaws. So is not only the central formula in the chapter "Folded RGBM Implementation" on p. 39 false, this is as well already on the cover!
Result: for 40 US $ it is not worth the paper on which it is printed.)
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[73] "Decompression Procedures", TDI Diver Manual, Joe Odom, 2000, Rev. 1b
(in 5 chapters on 77 pages information concerning theory, equipment and procedures. A nice little introductory book for deco-freshman, level no-deco-holidaydiver. Available at: www.TDI-MiddleEast.com)

[99] IANTD: Decompression Software Specialist M-1010
(a relatively expensive CD with a couple of shareware / freeware deco softwares, as well a couple of PDFs,
which are for free under: ftp.decompression.org. Mostly harmless ...)

[102] Hills, Brian Andrew (1977), Decompression Sickness, Volume 1, The Biophysical Basis of Prevention and Treatment, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.. ISBN 0 471 99457 X
(first the facts: 322 pages, 9 chapters, ca. 90 b/w charts, ca. 20 tables in the text, various diving-
tables, 13 p. index, 26 p. references with ca. 750 entries. The basic mechanisms are being discussed
in a very clear language and very elaborate. Different aspects and as well controversial opinions
are beeing treated in a fine, english manner and with elegant rhetorics. Thus the many references are
perfectly integrated. This book is one of the most cited works and, especially in chapter 9, perhaps one of
the most misunderstood. Everybody making his own research in these fields should have read it!!
more infos: cover
more infos: TOC

[111] Powell, Mark (2008), Deco for Divers, www.aquapress.co.uk, ISBN-13: 978-1-905492-07-7
(A very topical book: the deco theories are very well handled and underlined with a lot of charts, as well with interesting colored
photographies. It is very recommended for every diver who wants to look beyond his own nose of an advanced-
or rescue-diver certification.)
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more infos: TOC

[121] Brylske, Alex (1995) Beating The Bends: The Diver's Guide to Avoiding the Decompression Sickness, Best Publishing Company, ISBN 0-9639960-4-5; ISBN 0-941332-80-2
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Dive Computers

[8] Decompression Theory, Dive Tables and Dive Computers, John E. Lewis, PADI 1991, ISBN 1- 878663-06-2
(a nice little manual on 70 pages with good explanations concerning the theory. Each chapter starts with a historical hi-lite. It is an ideal introductory book!)

[13] Press Announcements of UWATEC during the "boot 94"-fair, (compilation for journalists)

[84] Barsky, Steven M., Deeper Diving and Dive Computers, Scuba Diving International, 2001, ISBN 1-931451-03-6
(in 170 pages with 10 clearly structured chapters an overview on deeper recreational diving and the intelligent use of additional equipment like a reel, lift bag, and, for sure: the dive computer. Incl. a glossary, index and references for further reading. Official manual from SDI / TDI)
more infos: Cover
more infos: TOC

[85] Barsky, Steven M., Choosing and Using Dive Computers, Hammerhead Press Video, 2007, ISBN 978-0-9740923-4-8
(an absolutely good presentation for the dive computer novice and, as well for the advanced diver who wants to buy a new dive computer. Here you will find answers on questions which the manufacturers manual is unable to answer. Very interesting film sequences and a very appealing background music are conveying effortlessly a sound concept: top up-to-date facts even for very new dive computers!)
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(Bottom line for [84], [85] and [88]: qualitatively outstanding materials! The author, then a commercial diver, now an active instructor for TDI and Dive Rescue International, is putting across the essentials aspects in a vivid manner. This is especially valid as well for [83] and [87]!)

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Rebreather

[19] Rebreather Tauchen, von Steve Barsky, Mark Thurlow und Mike Ward. ISBN: 3-933680-03-4
(With 255 pages a very nice booklet on semiclosed and closed circuit rebreathers. With a lot of meaningful photos and charts, it is a delight to go through this relatively topical material (american edition from 1/98, german version: 10/98). All essential aspects of the equipment and the dangers are being covered!)

[22] DRÄGER: DOLPHIN Mischgaskreislaufgerät Gebrauchsanweisung, 3. Ausgabe November 1997, No. 90 21 157
(90 pages, pictures, flowcharts, graphs: bi-lingual (english & german). A must for every Dolphin Diver Course!)

[26] Recreational Diving with Semi-Closed Rebreathers (ANDI SCR Manual DRAEGER DOLPHIN /RAY)

[27] Recreational Diving with Closed-Circuit Rebreathers (ANDI CCR Manual AP Valves Buddy Inspiration))

[33] RAB Users Manual, Neno Peschl, Steffen Scholz, 2. Auflage 6/1999:
the Rebreather Advisory Board (RAB) Users Manual for the Dolphin SCR: an A4 script with ca. 80 pages, a lot of pictures and charts, clearly structured)

[34] RAB Rebreather Manual Nitrox, Ver. 1.5 von April 1997, Dr. Dietmar Lüchtenberg (Hrsg.),
(on approx. 200 pages a complete and competent overview on all the aspects of rebreather diving. It's cut from the same cloth as [33], the RAB. So it is of good quality. For EAN 60, 50, 40, 36, 32 and 29 for SCR-diving there are decotables from Dr. Max Hahn for sealevel and as well for 700 - 1.500 m. However, i found some serious bugs for longer/ deeper dives in the OX-Tox calculations, the CNS doses! You may not use these tables promptly!

[35] RAB Ausbildungsfolien: Satz mit 39 Folien zur RAB Rebreather User Ausbildung,
(colourful, clearly structered overhead transparencies, same comment as per [33] and [34]. All the RAB materials are available at "VDST Tauchsport-Service Gmbh": www.vdst.de)

[37] PADI Dolphin/Atlantis SCR Specialty Course Instructor Outline, V 1.0 1999, Prod. No.: 70252; and:
Dräger Ray Semiclosed Rebreather Specialty Course Instructor Outline, V 1.0, Prod. No.: 70253
(short, concise description for the conduct of SCR user courses for the DRÄGER DOLPHIN and the DRÄGER RAY, ca. 40 pages, no student manuals)

[40] Dietmar Lüchtenberg, Rebreather-Tauchen, Trainer Handbuch, Meyer und Meyer, Herbst 2000, ISBN 3-89124-628-5,
(a super book for DOLPHIN instructors: all the slip ups which can happen to a dive student at gearing up a DOLPHIN are documented with a lot of photos and work-sheets!)

[41] NRC Workbook, User manual for Dräger Dolphin und Dräger Ray, German Edition, Nitrox & Rebreather College Germany, Gummersbach, Version 1.1, September 2000
(a small user booklet for all DRÄGER user courses with a lot of photos: but it is considered only additional to other serious manuals due to a lot of errors in the calculations and inconsistencies in terms)

[42] Proceedings of Rebreather Forum 2.0, Redondo Beach, California 1996, DSAT Publication 79126, Version 1.0,
(Very interesting and open discussions between the Rebreather- and Tek Cracks as Menduno, Pyle etc., a lot of contributions from Thalmann, Hamilton and Vann are making this one a real treasure trove! As well hints for legal aspects in the US and military applications.)
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[61] Mastering Rebreathers, Jeffrey E. Bozanic, Best Publishing Company 2002, ISBN 0-941332- 96-0
(In the form of a school book (Objectives, study guide, questions, subtitle: Understanding Rebreathers) with 14 chapters and on 540 pages a really all-embracing introduction of all types of rebreathers. A lot of formulas, examples and a very lot of graphs and photos. For the commercially available rebreathers you will find Pre-& Post Dive Checklists and hints for the appropriate scrubbers. Absolutely laudable: all the examples in imperial and metric units! As well U.S. Navy and Bühlmann tables for air and constant PO2 from 0,8 to 1,6 Bar. An elaborate glossary, further reading, URLs, and the MSD (material safety data sheets) for the regularly available scrubbers, if you go by air! In short: a MUST for all, who want to have in-depth knowledge. Very recommendable!)
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[120] Boczek, Waldemar; Hilbert, Jens (2008) Tauchen mit Sauerstoff-Kreislaufgeräten, Delius, Klasing & Co. KG, Bielefeld, ISBN 978-3-7688-2422-4
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Nitrox

[10] ANDI Instructors Manual: Complete Safe Air° User, Edward A. Betts, N.Y. 1989,
American Nitrox Divers Inc.

[18] Scubapro Educational Association, S.E.A. NITROX Techniker und Gas Mischer Arbeitsbuch, Mark Caney, David Jackson und Dicksy Maluschka, Juli 1997

[23] Advanced Diving Activities: The Technical SafeAir® Diver's Manual (ANDI Level 3 Users Manual: TSD)

[24] Advanced Diving Activities: The Extended Range SafeAir® Diver's Manual (ANDI Level 4 Users Manual: ERD)

[30] NAUI NITROX: A Guide to Diving with Oxygen Enriched Air, R.W. Bill Hamilton & Joel D. Silberstein, NAUI Item # 66006, 1997,
(a very beautifully arranged introduction for EAN novices: very interesting photos, on 140 A4 pages, with a lot of charts and examples. Various aspects are covered, as well gas analysis, gas mixing, emergency management, SAC calculations, Tec-Diving, dive computers, decompression procedures, and all NAUI tables (Air, EAN32 & 36), big glossary and a lot of references for further reading)
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[32] Enriched Air Diver, PADI NITROX Manual No. 79305G, Version 1.1 von 1999;
the PADI Nitrox Manual for the PADI EANx course, as well as video resp. DVD version available
(for relatively much money relatively less profound information)

[52] SSI: Enriched Air Nitrox, Manual, 1996 - 2004, ISBN 1-59750-002-X
(a nice little booklet, easy to understand with a lot of colored pictures, good copies of the important tables, excercises. A good introduction for the EAN novice, as a limited user up to EAN36)

[72] "Advanced Nitrox", TDI Diver Manual, Joe Odom, 2001, Rev. 2
(in 4 chapters on 75 pages infos concerning EAN. A nice manual for beginners on the level no-deco-holidaydiver. Available at: www.TDI-MiddleEast.com)

[90] TDI Basic Nitrox, 1.st edition 2007 (German Version),ISBN 978-3-9811443-0-7
(pls. cf. the comment at [92])

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Trimix

[44] IANTD Technical Student Workbook, Technical Diver Normoxic Trimix Diver, Tom Mount & Kevin Gurr

[45] IANTD Trimix Student Workbook, Tom Mount & Kevin Gurr
([44] and [45] are excercise-books for the planning of tec dives incl. trimix. But you will need definitely [46] because all the important tables are there. All the 3 items [44, 45, 46] are available at: http://www.iantd.com/)

[46] Tom Mount, Technical Diver Encyclopedia, IANTD 2000, ISBN 0-915539-04-7, 270 S.
(a big work of reference for tec diving, incl. Ox-Tox tables, air and EANx tables for 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 % oxygen, as well tables with these mixes and accelerated deco with 75 % oxygen, and trimix tables. 14 very elaborate chapters concerning dive planning, deco models, nutrition and fitness, psychology, high pressure nervous syndrome (HPNS), various breathing gases, equipment. A lot of charts and b/w photos.)
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[58] NAUI Tri-Mix Diver Student Workbook, NAUI Prod.no.: 66018, 126 S.

[66] DSAT Tec/Rec TEC Trimix Diver Manual, Product No. 70435, ISBN 1-878663-29-1, Version 1.0, 156 S.
more infos

[67] DSAT Tec/Rec TEC Trimix Instructor Guide, Product No. 70430, Version 1.0;
more infos

as well the
[68] Lesson Guides on CD-ROM Product No. 70864, Version 1.0
([66] - [68] are the consequent continuation of [49] - [51]: rigging, planing, emergencies are coherently developped up to the philosophy: "Thinking like a Trimix Diver": all aspects of mixed gas diving to 75 m are presented with a lot of interesting photographies. The final exam consists of 50 demanding questions, the training is 8 dives)

[69] NAUI Tri-Mix Instructor Guide, Prod. No. 66015, CD ROM
(contains the complete usermaterial (from [58]) in PDF and as well PPT format, as well the complete instructor notes for all of the 6 chapters, all the student notes in PPT and PDF format, as well the final exam, the license agreement and all NAUI RGBM Trimix / Helitrox tables in imperial format)

[74] "Trimix Diving", TDI Tieftauchen Manual, Alpha Verlag München, ISBN 3-932470-04-4
(a work book with 59 slides on 64 pages, a trimix 19/34 table from 40 - 60 m, a trimix 16/45 table from 65 - 85 m, appendix with formulas)

[79] "Practical Trimix Diving", PSA International, Rev 0, 2005
(a little booklet, in 6 chapters on approx. 70 pages a couple of hints for trimix diving concerning: physics, physiology, decompression, equipment, planning; in metric and imperial system, a couple of flow - and planning-charts and 2 deco-tables for Tx19/30 from 24 - 63 m; as well Tx17/42 fron 57 - 75 m; each for 10 - 20 min bottom time)

[92] TDI Trimix, 1. st edition 2007 (German Version), ISBN 978-3-9811443-2-1
(this comment is valid for [90] - [93]: small booklets, nice cover, topical colored photos: that's it!
In the best case: typing errors, guerilla-grammar and slipslop, without precise examples. In the worst case:
a lot of and very serious errors with the formulas and other informations. Conclusion: not recommendable!
Price/performance: under the average! There is much more elaborate and painstaking compiled material available,
with definitively more meat!)

[93] TDI Advanced Trimix, 1. st edition 2007 (German Version), ISBN 978-3-9811443-3-8
(pls. cf. the comment at [92])

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General Mix Gas Manuals

[11] Deep Diving, Bret Gilliam, Watersport Publishing, Inc. 1992, ISBN 0-922769-31-1

[12] Mixed Gas Diving, Bret Gilliam, Watersport Publishing, Inc. 1993, ISBN 0-922769-41-9
([11]: ISBN 3-933680-00-X, sowie: [12]: ISBN 3-9806263-1-8, approx. 400 pages, 5 chapters, theory, decompression management, procedures, mixing of gases: relatively out-of-date, but interesting from a historical perspective. Everybody not in the mixed gas track must feel like softies by reading that. A lot of references for further reading, especially the hints from John Crea on the various deco models! [11] is slightly overlapping with [12], but a little bit more up-to-date.)

[49] DSAT: Tec Deep Diver Instructor Guide, V 1.0, Prod. No. 70407, sowie:
[50] DSAT: Tec Deep Diver Lesson Guides CD-ROM, V 1.0, Prod. No. 70838
[51] DSAT: Tec Deep Diver Manual, V 1.0, Prod. No. 79138, ISBN 1-878663-25-9
available at: http://www.dsatproductions.com , resp. at PADI
(here we have the complete procedural set for tec / deep dives: rigging, gas switches, equipment failures etc, as well the mind set for tec diving: "Thinking like a Tec Diver" and team-diving. This DSAT programme consists of 12 trainings dives which are described in-depth. The TEC DEEP DIVER Manual has in 6 chapters on approx. 300 pages and an index a lot of very interesting photographies, excercises and questions. A little compilation of important formulas and as well the whole set of MOD-, CNS-, and EAD- tables for mixes from 21 up to 100 % oxygen in imperial and metric format. These stories are written not so deadly serious and as well, I like those many pictures, where you can see a blonde female diving student (i miss those girls in my courses ... :-) ). What was funny that time, when the manual was released, was that notions like: "desktop deco software" and "multigas computer" appear on each second page. For me, it is one of the best introductory tec manuals! Real good stuff! If you look at the pages from the narrow side, the front face, you see that each of the chapters are identified in terms of color. The lines are giving a nice exponential graph: chapter one is the biggest, the 2nd chapter is approx. the half, the 3rd ca. a fourth of chapter one and so on until the end ...)
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[56] DSAT: Gas Blender Instructor Guide, V 1.0, Prod. No. 79411, sowie

[57] DSAT: Gas Blender Manual, V 1.0, Prod. No. 79410
(on approx. 100 pages a complete and very descriptive overview on oxygen service, blending of Nitrox and Helium-mixes. A lot of tables, excercises and elucidations as well for the little gas blending software which comes with the manual on a CD.)
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[59] NAUI Technical EANx Decompression Techniques & Extended Range, Jan G. Neal, NAUI Prod.no.: 66003,
(on 128 pages a very competent but nevertheless concise description on all the aspects of tec diving. Control questions and a lot of examples, however, only in imperial format!)

[81] Technical Extended Range Manual: SSI TXR, Student Manual + Companion CD, #2634CD-G, ISBN 1-59750-027-5
(in 4 chapters a tersly and quite simply but even so a complete introduction to tec diving: technical foundations, decompression procedures, normoxic trimix and advanced decompression procedures are handled on ca. 300 A4 pages with a lot of b/w photos, charts and examples. This manual comes in a total TXR-package with an interesting interactive CD, planning slates, study guide, quizzes, examens and worksheets.)

[91] TDI Advanced Nitrox & Decompression Procedures, 1. st edition 2007 (German Version), ISBN 978-3-9811443-1-4
(pls. cf. the comment at [92])

[94] Raftis, Nicos, The technical Guide to Gas Blending, Best Publishing 2000
ISBN 0-941332-84-5
(a small booklet, A5 Format, on 160 pages a complete and competent outline, as well far-fetched things
like economy, risc analysis and quality assurance are covered!
Bottom line: very good price/performance ratio! Very recommended as supplement to [56], [57])
more infos: TOC
cover

[116] TECH-DIVING Faszination Tauchen (2000) Jahr-Verlag GmbH & Co, ISBN 3-86132-546-2
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Commercial Diving

[83] Barsky, Steven M., Christensen, Robert W., The Simple Guide to Commercial Diving, Hammerhead Press,
Ventura, California, 2005, ISBN 0-9674305-4-2
(on 161 pages a very competent and complete compilation of material; not to be considered as manual for commercial-diver novices but sheding a light on various aspects not covered in the other, regular manuals! A lot of explanatory charts with 150 very interesting b/w photographies, tipps and stories from real-world off-shore diving. In 12 chapters a very informative and thrilling overview! Recommended! A Must for all hobby divers dreaming of a career as a commercial diver!)
more infos

[87] Barsky, Steven M., Diving in High-Risk Environments, Fourth Edition, Hammerhead Press,
Ventura, California, 2007, ISBN 978-0-9674305-7-7
(on 250 pages the basics of diving in harbors, sewage systems, nuclear reactors and potable water drinking systems. With 250 very ostensive b/w photographies, a lot of charts, index on 10 pages, appendix with chemical and performance specifications of diving equipment and more than 100 references. Each of the 9 chapters is closed with a topical story. The aspects concerning: riscs, equipment, methods, planning and decontamination are covered competent and extensively. This book is considered a standard from the US Navy and other, big commercial training organisations. As well companies like Kirby-Morgan or Viking useing this one as a reference!
more infos: Cover
more infos

[88] Barsky, Steven M., Neumann, Tom S., Investigating Recreational and Commercial Diving Accidents,
First Edition 2003, Hammerhead Press, Ventura California, ISBN 0-9674305-3-4
(On 235 pages a very, very interesting compilation of thrilling details of
another facette of diving, with authentic practical examples; pls. cf. as well the remark at [85]!)
mire infos: cover
more infos: TOC

[97] Joiner, James T., Commercial Diver Training Manual
5th edition, Best Publishing 2007, ISBN-13: 978-1-930536-44-9
(A gigantic book! On ca. 700 pages all the facettes of commercial under water work
are described in full detail! A lot of charts, graphs & photos)
more infos: TOC

[125] Barsky, Steven M. Diving with the EXO-26 Full Face Mask, 1994 Team Vision Inc., ISBN 1-884843-00-X
more infos

[126] Barsky, Steven M. Diving with the Divator MKII Full Face Mask, 1994 Team Vision Inc., ISBN 1-884843-01-8
more infos

back to: Contents

Military Diving

[98] Lonsdale, Mark V., United States Navy Diver, Performance Under Pressure
Best Publishing 2005, ISBN: 1-930536-27-5
(an A4 format picture book, 350 pages, historical outlines from 1828 to 2005. Training,
methods, technologies and people (as well the ladies from the club!!!) are described and
with thrilling, high-quality photos underlined!
Cover
more infos: TOC

[112] Naval Forces Under the Sea: A Look Back, A look Ahead;
2002, Best Publishing Company, ISBN I-930536-04-6
Cover
more infos: TOC

[113] Naval Forces Under the Sea: The Rest of the Story;
2007, Best Publishing Company,ISBN-13: 978-1-930536-30-2, ISBN-10: 1-930536-30-5
Cover
more infos: TOC

[115] Eldar, Mike (2000) Israels geheime Marinekommandos, Geschichte - Einsätze Hintergründe der Flotilla 13
Motorbuch Verlag, ISBN 3-613-02012-2
more infos

[117] Probst, Wilhelm (2003) Kampfschwimmer der Bundesmarine, Innenansichten einer Elitetruppe
Motorbuch Verlag, ISBN 3-613-02148-X

[118] Micheletti, Eric (2007) Froschmänner, Die Kampfschwimmer Deutschlands, Italiens und Frankreichs
Motorbuch Verlag, ISBN 978-3-613-02744-2

back to: Contents

History and histories

[70] Physiologie des Tauchers, (official excerpt from "Tauchertechnik") from Herrmann Stelzner, 3rd revised edition from 1962, Editor: Drägerwerk Lübeck, Verlag Charles Coleman, Lübeck,
(on 95 pages a very competent outline from the point of view of the then chief engineer of the Dräger Company, a lot of very interesting historical photographies, charts and elucidating calculations, as well the original mould of the Dräger Lufttabelle (air table): a MUST for everybody, who wants to get first hand and indepth informations about hard hat / helmet diving!)
more infos

[89] Robert Henry Davis: Deep Diving and Submarine Operations: A Manual for Deep Sea Divers and compressed Air workers
("175 th anniversary of Siebe, Gorman & Company Ltd"),9. th edition 1995
(A special edition, in a box, limited to 1.500 copies! It comes in two volumes,
for the anniversary of the famous british company!
A lot of interesting b/w photos, details concerning hard hat/helmet diving,
salvage actions and submarine escapes. With some remarks you can feel the whiff
of the 2nd world war and the then relationship to the former enemy.
A lot of historical explanations and histories for the technical development
of helmet diving and the broad spectrum of related products and as well the multifaceted
research activities of Siebe & Gorman.)
the box
more infos: TOC

[94] 1905 Handbook for Seamen Gunners, Manual for Divers
Prepared at the Naval Torpedo Station, Washington, D.C., ISBN 1-879488-22-1
(a small booklet, 44 pages of text, in format A5, 22 historical b/w photos: a small historical gem!)
more infos: TOC

[119] Goodman, Martin (2007) Suffer and Survive: Gas Attacks, Miners' Canaries, Spacesuits and the Bends: the Extreme Life of Dr. J.S. Haldane
Simon & Schuster, London, ISBN 978-1-4165-2230-0
(a VERY interesting book about the father of all divetables! With a lot of background
information, references and b/w-photos.
more infos

[122] Marx, Robert F. (1998) Deep, Deeper, Deepest: Man's Exploration of the Sea, Best Publishing Company, ISBN 0-94-1332-66-7
more infos

[127] Groom, Tony: DIVER, 2007, Seafarer Books Ltd, Rendlesham, ISBN 978-1-906266-06-6
more infos

[128] Ellyatt, Mark: Ocean Gladiator, Battles beneath the Ocean, 2005, Emily Eight Publications Ltd., ISBN 978-0-9551544-0-9
cover
TOC

back to: Contents

Free Diving, Breathhold Diving

[105] Serra, Carlos (2006) The Last Attempt: the true story of freediving champion Audrey Mestre and the mystery of her death; Xlibris, Oceanus Explorator, Inc, ISBN-13: 978-1-4257-3839-6, ISBN-10: 1-4257-3839-7
(the logbook of the sad tide of events of 10/12/2002. The central question, why Pipin did not
fill the pony tank for the lift bag of the sled, is tried to find an answer based on the
video tapes. With a lot of background info around the competition and with, in part, fiery
b/w-photos.
An absolute must for every free diver! As well a good learning paradigm for profilers,
criminal psychologists and coroners or criminal investigators: behind a death by drowing often are invisible facts)
more infos: Cover
more infos: TOC

[106] Pelizzari, Umberto; Tovaglieri, Stefano (2004) Manual of Freediving: Underwater on a single breath, Idelson Gnocchi, ISBN 1928649270
more infos: cover
more infos: TOC

back to: Contents

Miscellaneous

[53] Dan MacKay: The Essentials of Diving Part I: Equipment, Dress for Success, InDepth Training USA 2005, ISBN: 1-929401-03-5
(on 80 DIN A4 pages with 108 photographies: very detailed, the basics of the TEC/DIR equipment considerations / configurations: very high quality, very good price/performance ratio!)
more infos

[55] SSI: Deep Diving, ISBN 1-880229-97-8
(a nice little booklet for novices on "deep" diving (> 18, < 39 m). With a lot of pictures and graphs: in 5 modules the basics on planning, dangers and repetitive diving for a deep dive are put across in a vivid manner. As well questions concerning dive computers and SAC calculations are beeing slightly touched.)

[78] Key Documents of the Biomedical Aspects of Deep-Sea Diving: Selected from the World's Literature 1682 - 1982, Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc., 2005
(a single CD, available at UHMS for approx. 150 US $: in 19 chapters on 3.700 pages all the important documents, compiled form the worldwide leading experts on these topics! Additionnally to relatively topical papers there are as well historical documents, considered forgotten or otherwise diffult to obtain! It is definitely worth the money!!!)
more infos: the complete TOC of the CD

[86] Gary Gentile: The Technical Diving Handbook
(on approx. 190 pages an all-inclusive (except hand signals ...) description with a lot of stories from real-world diving. Written in a witty style, an ideal extension to [54],
ISBN-10: 1883056055, ISBN-13: 978-1883056056)
more infos

[100] DAN: Technical Diving Conference 2008, DVD:
Vann RD, Mitchell SJ, Denoble PJ, Anthony TG, eds. Technical Diving Conference Proceedings. Durham, NC: Divers Alert Network; 2009; 394 pages. ISBN 978-1-930536-53-1
(the DVD is for free at: ProMember@DiversAlertNetwork.org. Respectively is completely downloadable
from the DAN international homepage. Very recommendable informations concerning Tek-, Wreck-, Rebreather-
Diving, Physiology, deep stops, Ox-Tox. Absolutely topical and interesting MP4 Videos and
as well the corresponding PPT Files. It's a must for TEC instructors!)

[101] Underwater Physiology: Proceedings of the Fourth Symposium, edited by Christian J. Lambertsen,
(Hardcover, 575 pages) Academic Press Inc.,New York, U.S. (November 12, 1971) ISBN-10: 0-12-434750-9, ISBN-13: 978-0124347502
(here you will find 2 of the most often-cited papers: the one from Kidd & Stubbs about the DCIEM model (p. 167) and the one from Heinz R. Schreiner and P.L. Kelley (p. 205)!)
more infos: TOC

[103] Barsky, Steve & Christine (2008) Diving the Far Pacific: A Taste of Chuuk (Truk) and Palau, DVD, Hammerhead Video, ISBN 978-0-9740923-5-5
(2 pleasant films, a lot of infos, especially in the Truk part much historical informations and facts about the ship wrecks: if you are planning a dive trip to these destinations, you should buy this one!)(pls. cf. as well the remark at [85]!)
more infos: TOC

[104] Huntleigh Healthcare: D900 / D920, DOPPLEX ® High Sensivity Pocket Dopplers, Multi-Lingual User Manual
(the user manual for pocket doppler systems)
more infos

[107]Underwater Physiology: Proceedings of the Third Symposium, edited by Christian J. Lambertsen, (Hardcover, 497 pages) The Williams & Wilkins Company, Baltimore 1967
more infos: TOC

[108] Underwater Physiology - Ten Symposiums 1955-2000 on one CD, UHMS
(WOW: 5874 pages, i.e. all contributions from these 10 symposia from 1955 - 2000 on one CD! From the webshop of uhms.org. Recommendable!)

[109] Decompression and the Deep Stop, Workshop Proceedings 2008, UHMS, ISBN 0-930404-24-9
(Editor, Title and Contents: are speaking for themselves! A MUST for every TEC Diver!!!
Get yourself a copy from the UHMS webshop!)
TOC and more infos

[110] The Underwater Handbook: A Guide to Physiology and Performance for the Engineer; Shilling, Werts, Schandelmaier; Plenum Press N.Y., 1976, ISBN 0-306-30843-6
(Another WOW in my list! I stumbled across this one because it is mentioned on the back
book-jacket of my favourite book on decompression [102]!!! On 912 pages it glitters with a very precise style,
absolutely elaborate index, in nearly every chapter a set of tables, a glossary and a bibliography,
overall more than 1.000 helpful hints.)
Cover
TOC

[123] Lin, Yu-Chong; Shida, Kathleen K (eds). Man in the Sea, Volume I, 1990, Best Publishing Company, ISBN 0-941332-12-8
more infos

[124] Lin, Yu-Chong; Shida, Kathleen K (eds). Man in the Sea, Volume II, 1990, Best Publishing Company, ISBN 0-941332-13-6
more infos