Customer Reviews

Complete Diving Manual

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Jackson's Complete Diving Manual is a large format paperback printed on glossy stock and full of color photographs and helpful illustrations and diagrams, ranging from concepts to technical drawings. It's not a picture book, just one that uses graphics and visuals very well to illustrate text. Jackson is an award-winning photographer and advanced diver, and the book also benefitted from input by Scuba Diving Magazine technical editor Michael R. Ange, author of "Diver Down."

The Complete Diving Manual is a great and pleasant way to get an idea what scuba diving is all about. It's a rather complete introduction to beginners and newcomers, but contains enough detail and useful reference diagrams that the book has its place in the library of any diver, all the way yo advanced and technical. To give an example: where most general introduction to diving may have brief description of, say, the second stage in a regulator, Jackson provides detailed drawings and diagrams that show and label every part. That way readers can, if they choose, figure out exactly how a piece of equipment works. This approach even extends to more advanced equipment, such as rebreathers. There are full diagrams how a regular scuba unit compares to a semiclosed rebreather and that from a closed-circuit rebreather (where each of 24 parts and systems is shown and labeled). Yet, it never gets dry as everything is accompanied by terific photographs as well.

In terms of overall content, Jackson covers all the basics. What diving is all about, equipment, physiology, training, planning, types of diving, technical diving, safety and dangers, travel, trips, and so on. Type is large and easy to read. It is also logically arranged, and, thankfully, omits the numerous (and often redundant) tips and tricks and bullet points you'd find in the "for Dummies" book on scuba diving that essentially covers all the same points. Jackson simply builds the information into the text itself. Also helpful: a very detailed glossary of diving terms and a listing of all the pertaining agencies and organizations.

The Complete Diving Manual is just that; it provides a total overview of scuba diving and what all it entails. It's all presented in a large format, colorful book that uses a variety of visuals to illustrate, entertain and explain. Want to see the conceptual difference in both basic and balanced diaphragm and piston first stage mechanisms? It's in there, shown in simple, logical graphics. Apart from the methodical and comprehensive description of all aspects of scuba, Jackson's ability to pick just the right visuals to illustrate and explain are the strongest parts of the Complete Diving Manual.

This book is well written and illustrated, and goes deeper into the theories and explanations than the other dive books I've collected. It's obvious that the author is a balanced, experienced diver who can also teach and write like a pro. If you're interested in learning beyond the basic dive certifications (OW/AOW) this is a must on your diver locker shelf!

As an author myself, it's a pleasure to find a book that presents the information so well that the words don;t get in the way.

Good manual for those who are interested in knowing more about scuba diving and those currently taking classes to get certified as divers. Clear information accompanied by good photos.

I read this book cover to cover, and I loved it. The color illustrations made concepts simple to understand, and visually appealing. The book does not read like a technical manual, but more like a more detailed and complete version of a Open Water Certification book. Good information, and enjoyable to read.

I am not specifically rating this book however I would like to note that I placed the order for it on May 12th and it wasn't until June 6th that I recieved an e-mail from Amazon stating the manual was unavailable. I just wanted to let everyone know that purchase for this book should be done elsewhere. Any and all items should be removed from the site if they are unavailable so that consumers don't waste time waiting and can purchase elsewhere. I have ordered the Complete Diving Manual via another site and again anxiously await its arrival based on the reviews of the book.