NOAA Diving Manual: Diving Science and Technology, Second Edition [Paperback]

James W. Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1979 | ISBN-10: 0318117428 | ISBN-13: 978-0318117423

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!

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Has to be one of the best quality and value books available. Content is excellent, it has really impressed me. --Harry Thompson, Safety & Training Mgr, Diving Diseases Research Centre --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Publisher

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)Diving Program, which is recognized as one of the leading authorities on scientific diving and undersea technology has released the Fourth Edition of the NOAA Diving Manual.

The newly revised manual is published in full color, with 688 coated pages and is available now. It contains basic through advanced applied diving technologies and is written in a non-technical style so it will be informative to all who are interested in safe diving procedures and techniques. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Government Printing Office (June 1979)
• ISBN-10: 0318117428
• ISBN-13: 978-0318117423
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,812,305 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NOAA Diving Manual is IT!, April 2, 2001

By 

M. Gozum (Eastern USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: NOAA Diving Manual: Diving for Science and Technology, Fourth Edition Revised (Hardcover)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NOAA Diving Manual is IT!, March 7, 2001

By 

M. Gozum (Eastern USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Noaa Diving Manual: Diving for Science and Technology (Spiral-bound)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, authoritive diving text!!, October 30, 2001

By 

Jeffrey Bozanic (Huntington Beach, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: NOAA Diving Manual: Diving for Science and Technology, Fourth Edition Revised (Hardcover)

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!