Customer Reviews

Basic Decompression Theory and Application 3rd Edition

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
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Although I studied mathematics ( longtime ago though) the jumps are sometimes too big. I think Bruce Wienke should have asked himself for whom am I writing this book? For a diver? A scientist? A diver/mathematician?
Second I think the contents of the book could have better organised. Sometimes I am reading the same arguments three or more times.
I like very much the exercises at the end of each chapter. That helps in understanding the theoretical part

I have also read Wienke's "Technical Diving in Depth" and "Reduced Gradient Bubble Model in Depth" in addition to this one; I must say that this is my favorite.

I found that in contrast with the two above mentioned books, Wienke is not being too brief, or too divergent and succeeds in justifying the title of the book. That said, someone who has read the other two books will identify a fair amount of regurgitating text.

I would recommend this book to anyone who feels competent with mathematics (an A-Level should be suffice), and seeks to find more about the inner mechanisms of diving algorithms. Finally if I were to buy only one book out of the three this would be it.

What I liked best from this book was the exercise section at the end of each chapter.
What I disliked most was the use of imperial units.

This book examines the mathematics behind decompression, and so it is titled THEORY. If you like mathematics, formulas, lots of symbols, working with equations ... Oh Baby, this book is for you. If you are looking for a book on understanding decompression, technically, then ok. For example, you are a robotic engineer, and you want to build a specialized sub. My guess is that this book can be used in very advanced courses of decompression, in the classroom. Possibly for those with a MATH degree already in their hip pocket, next to their utility knife.

Doing my divemaster helped me to pick up my interest in physics which is why I ordered this book. What divers learn in decompression theory was the superficial one, but this book shows you all the detailed information and equations of how and why decompression occurs. From molecules to gases to pressures, it was all very detailed. Unless you have a deep and growing interest for physics and decompression theory, otherwise reading it from the PADI encyclopedia would be good enough for your knowledge. The need to understand this book requires a lot of patience and time. But once you manage to know what's going on with the contents and equations, I'm sure your love for decompression theory will grow by depth.