Underwater (sub-aqua) swimming Books

Book SynopsisThe earth’s oceans hold many wondrous surprises—be they the small, colorful “critters” off the coast of Papua New Guinea, opportunistic red demon squids in the Sea of Cortes, or naval wrecks in the lagoon of Bikini Atoll. In Fifty Places to Dive Before You Die Chris Santella has invited diving experts from around the world to share some of their favorite destinations, so ardent divers can experience these underwater wonders for themselves—either on location in their SCUBA gear, or at home in their armchair. The fifth in Santella’s bestselling “Fifty Places” series, the book takes divers from hot-spot destinations like Raja Ampat (off the coast of West Guinea) to old Caribbean favorites like Grand Cayman Isles. Readers will swim among whale sharks off Myanmar, befriend wolf eels off the coast of Maine, and marvel at the giant mola mola of Lembognan, Indonesia. These wonderful creatures—plus the brilliant coral reefs that often provide their backdrop—are captured in 40 gorgeous color photos from the world’s greatest underwater photographers. And for readers who want to travel to these breathtaking locales, Santella provides complete “If You Go” suggestions to help you plan your trip.

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Book SynopsisFully updated and revised. Award winning Deco for Divers provides a comprehensive overview of the principles underlying decompression theory. Mark Powell has written a book that for the first time allows the average diver to fully understand the principles behind this fascinating aspect of diving. This book bridges the gap between introductory books and source scientific information. What I wanted was an intermediate overview that went into more detail but wasn't written for academics or researchers. When I became a technical diving instructor I started teaching other people about decompression theory. I tried to give an overview of decompression theory at this intermediate level to give my students a better understanding of what was happening during decompression dives. This was always very popular amongst divers who, like me, had always wanted to understand more about the concepts and models underlying decompression theory. I was always being asked if I could recommend a good book which covered this area but as before, there was no such text available. Over time I started giving out notes for the decompression theory portion of my courses and these notes started building. Initially they were just a few pages but the notes became more and more comprehensive and started to cover more and more areas. Eventually they grew into this book. Eurotek 2010 - Winner Publication of Significance Award. TekDive 2014 - Winner Media Award.Trade ReviewThis is a truly remarkable book which covers all the various theories of decompression and ascents for divers in a most readable and understanding manner. There is no other comprehensive book on decompression to my knowledge which is so easy to read and understand by the average recreational or technical diver. Peter B. Bennett, Ph.D., D.Sc. Executive Director, UHMS. Emeritus Professor of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center. Founder & 1st President, DAN This is the most comprehensive and well-written text I've seen that attempts to explain decompression theory to divers. Dr Richard Vann Assistant Research Professor in Anesthesiology, Safety Officer and Director of Applied Research at the Duke Hyperbaric Center, and Vice President for Research at DAN. This book is a "must read" for those who have ever wondered about decompression tables and how they are created. It is a straight forward book and devoid of technical jargon. It starts with the scientific giants who developed the physics of the gas laws and the physiology of diving and ends with M-values and tissue bubbles. For the curious diver - and all divers should be - it will be money well spent! Michael R. Powell, MS, PhD. NASA (retired), Medical Sciences Division, Johnson Space Center, TexasTable of ContentsContents, Introduction...1 Chapter 1- Historical Perspective...7, Robert Boyle (1627 - 1691)...7, Rediscovery...8, Caissons Disease...9, Paul Bert (1833-1886)...11, John Scott Haldane (1860-1936)...12, US Navy...15, Robert Workman...16, Professor Albert Buhlmann (1923 - 1994)...17 Chapter 2- Decompression Principles...19, Overview...19, The Air we Breathe...20, The Effects of Pressure...21, Dalton's Law...22, The Lungs...23, Henry's Law...26, Diffusion...26, Gas Transport...28, Perfusion...28, Saturation...29, Tissue Compartments...30, Half Times...30, Supersaturation...32, Critical Supersaturation...34, Controlling Ratio M-Values...34, Ascent Rates...36, No-Stop Dives...39, Bubble Formation...40, Silent Bubbles...40, Safety Stops...41, Decompression Stops...43, Oxygen Window...48 Chapter 3- Decompression Illness...51, Burst Lung...51, Arterial Gas Embolism (AGE )...52, Interstitial Emphysema...52, Pneumothorax...52, Decompression Sickness...52, Decompression Classification...53, Type I...53, Type II...54, Type III...54, Type IV ...55, Reclassification of DCS and AGE ...57, Symptoms of the Bends by Frequency ...59, Time of Onset of Symptoms ...59, Predisposing Factors...60, Dehydration...60, Dive Profiles...61, Repetitive Diving...62, Temperature...62, Obesity...63, Exercise...63, Smoking...65, Age...66, Flying after Diving...66, Reverse Profile...67, Previous Injury...69, PFO...69, Lung Shunts...72, Doppler Bubble Detection...73, Medical implications of DCI...75, First Aid...76, Oxygen...77, 5 Minute Neurological Exam...79, Recompression...81, In-Water Recompression...85, Omitted Decompression...87 Chapter 4- Saturation Diving...89, Development Of Saturation Diving...90, Commercial Saturation Diving...93, Saturation Decompression...93 Chapter 5- Nitrox...95, Using Nitrox...97, Using Nitrox as a Decompression Gas...100, The Oxygen Window Revisited...104 Chapter 6- Deep Stops and Bubble Models...109, Deep Stops...111, Pyle Deep Stops - an Example...113, Gradient Factors...116, Dual Phase (Bubble) Models...118, Individual Bubble Behaviour...120, Multiple Bubble Behaviour...124, Gas Switches and Bubble Models...126, Specific Bubble Models: Thermodynamic Model...127, Varying Permeability Model...129, Critical Volume Algorithm...131, Development of VPM...132, Reduced Gradient Bubble Model...133 Chapter 7- Mixed Gas...135, Choice of Gas...136, Argon...136, Neon...136, Hydrogen...136, Helium...137, Trimix...140, Trimix Decompression...143, Helium in Decompression Gases...147, Isobaric Counter Diffusion...148 Chapter 8- Other Decompression Models...157, RNPL - Slab Diffusion...158, BSAC -'88...160, US Navy Exponential Linear Model...162, Probabilistic Models...163, DCIEM...165, Ratio Deco...168 Chapter 9- Decompression Calculations...171, Compartments, Half Times and Surfacing Ratios...171, Workman M-Values (1965)...172, Buhlmann ...173, ZH-L16A Set of M-Values for Nitrogen (1990)...174, ZH-L16A Half-times, "A" and "B" Values for Nitrogen and Helium...175, Conversion from Workman M-Values to Buhlmann Coefficients...175, The DCAP MM11F6 Model (1988) for Nitrogen...176, Variable Permeability Model (VPM)...177, Alveolar Partial Pressure...177, No Decompression Limits (NDL)...178, Saturation Level...178, Buhlmann...178, Schreiner...178, Ascent Ceiling...178, Decompression Stops...179, Calculating a Decompression Profile...179, Gradient Factors...180, Saturation Diving...180, DCIEM...180, Ratio Deco...181, GUE Ratio Deco Calculations...181, Ratio Set Points...181, First Deep Stop...181, Generic Ratio Deco Calculations...181, Ratio Set Points...181, First Deep Stop...181, Acknowledgements...182, References and Further Reading...183, Index...190

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of the international Bestseller Breath Covering a diving championship in Greece on a hot and sticky assignment for Outside magazine, James Nestor discovered free diving. He had stumbled on one of the most extreme sports in existence: a quest to extend the frontiers of human experience, in which divers descend without breathing equipment, for hundreds of feet below the water, for minutes after they should have died from lack of oxygen. Sometimes they emerge unconscious, or bleeding from the nose and ears, and sometimes they don't come up at all. The free divers were Nestor's way into an exhilarating and dangerous world of deep-sea pioneers, underwater athletes, scientists, spear fishermen, billionaires and ordinary men and women who are poised on the brink of some amazing discoveries about the ocean. Soon he was visiting the scientists who live 60ft underwater (and are permanently high on nitrous dioxide), swimming with the notorious man-eating sharks of Réunion and descending thousands of feet in a homemade submarine. And on the way down, he learnt about the amazing amphibious reflexes activated in the human body under deep-water conditions, why dolphins were injected with LSD in an attempt to teach them to talk, and why sharks like AC/DC. The sea covers seventy per cent of Earth's surface, and still contains answers to questions about the world we are only beginning to ask: Deep blends science and adventure to uncover its amazing secrets.Trade ReviewA fascinating, informative, exhilarating book. * Wall Street Journal *Idiosyncratic and Illuminating... Deep demonstrates that a rich, life-filled, mysterious realm of vast possibility is contained in that blackness. It will certainly enrich the thinking of anyone planning to spend time at the beach. -- Horatio Clare * The Independent *Deep is a heartfelt, eccentric and pleasantly eccentric guide to the planet's most mysterious region. It should encourage plenty of readers to take the plunge. * Sunday Business Post *Engaging and eye-popping. * Esquire *

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Book SynopsisArtificial reefs, diver attractions, shipwrecks at varying depths, dramatic drop offs, a variety of undulating reefs, caves tunnels and arches, a huge variety of marine life, together with the underwater landscape around these beautiful Mediterranean Islands - scuba diving Malta, Gozo and Comino is a sheer delight.

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Book Synopsis How do you invent an Olympic sport? For Katharine Whitney Curtis, it took the right idea, great talent, some good timing, and the determination to make it happen. The originator of synchronized swimming as we know it today, she even wrote the first book on the subject in 1936. But there was much more to her life and career. After the start of World War II, Curtis became a recreational director in the American Red Cross and followed the troops wherever the course of war took them, serving under Generals Patton and Eisenhower, before becoming a director of travel for the U.S. Army in Europe during the Cold War. Unbound by fear or the narrow expectations of society, this was a woman who lived ahead of her time, making things happen along the way. As her first biography, this book generously features Curtis''s own words, selected from more than 2,000 pages of letters, and contextualized by her surviving friends and family members.

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Book SynopsisThe Definitive Guide to Scuba Diving and Snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and Deerfield Beach"This is what divers want. A mapping style and key information presented in a way that really prepares you for each dive site. I expect this book will be the tool that dive shops give to their new divemasters to learn all of the top dive sites quickly." Ocean Frontiers#1 New Release in Travel South AtlanticFor Lonely Planet fans comes a unique and essential scuba, snorkel, and surf travel guide.A great travel gift. The ultimate guide for beach and marine activities in Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and Deerfield Beach. The detailed descriptions and illustrations of beaches, coral reefs, shipwrecks, and other dive spots are ideal for divers, snorkelers, kitesurfers and windsurfers. Make the most of your time in the city and in the water.Detailed descriptions and map art. With the help of Reef Smart’s unique 3D-mapping technology, learn all you need to know about the regions' top dive and snorkel sites. These maps provide useful information such as depths, currents, waves, suggested routes, potential hazards, unique structures and species information.Don’t go diving without it. This indispensable resource will help you plan and execute dives without a hitch. Make sure to pack this unique guidebook with the rest of your scuba gear.This guidebook provides: The best locations for diving, snorkeling and surfing, and how to access them Detailed 3D maps, graphics and information to help you plan your time in and out of the water Species guide to help you identify and understand the marine creatures you’ll encounter And much more! A unique and comprehensive SCUBA diving book. Also look for Reef Smart Guides Florida: Palm Beach; Reef Smart Guides Barbados; and the best selling Reef Smart Guides Bonaire.

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Book SynopsisThe Definitive Guide to Scuba Diving and Snorkeling in The Grand Cayman Islands“The collection of Reef Smart Guides is a great resource for the touring diver. Incredible detailed 3D maps and up to date editorial content based on information from local dive experts, these cutting edge guidebooks are a must have for all scuba divers before they travel.” Clearly Cayman Dive Resorts#1 New Release in Scuba Travel Guides, Caving & Spelunking, and SwimmingFor Lonely Planet fans comes a unique and essential scuba, snorkel, and surf travel guide.A great Caribbean travel book. The ultimate guide for beach and marine activities in the Grand Cayman Islands. The detailed descriptions and illustrations of beaches, coral reefs, shipwrecks, and other dive spots are ideal for divers, snorkelers and surfers. Make the most of your time on the Island and in the water.Detailed descriptions and map art. Reef Smart catalogues the beaches, surf spots, and dive and snorkel sites in the Cayman Islands. With the help of Reef Smart’s unique 3D-mapping technology, learn all you need to know about the regions' top dive and snorkel sites. These maps provide useful information such as depths, currents, waves, suggested routes, potential hazards, unique structures, and species information.Don’t go diving without it. This indispensable resource will help you plan and execute dives without a hitch. Pack this guidebook with the rest of your scuba gear.Guidebook provides: The best locations for diving, snorkeling, and surfing, and how to access them Detailed 3D maps, graphics, and information to help you plan your time in and out of the water Species guide to help you identify and understand the marine creatures in the Cayman Islands and its surrounding areas And much more! A unique and comprehensive SCUBA diving book. Also look for Reef Smart Guides Florida: Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Deerfield Beach; Reef Smart Guides Barbados; and the best-selling Reef Smart Guides Bonaire.

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Book SynopsisFind the Best Beach in the Keys to Dive#1 New Release in Florida Keys Travel Books and Scuba Travel GuidesThe newest addition to the Reef Smart series, Reef Smart Guides Florida Keys is the #1 guide to finding the best beach in the Keys to dive—from North Key Largo to the Dry Tortugas.An essential guide to exploring the Florida Keys. Whether you’re looking to spice up your current dive log book or if you're looking for the perfect adventure gift to give, Reef Smart Guide Florida Keys is it! This guide helps snorkelers, swimmers, and scuba divers in the keys find the best beach in the keys—along with access points and what to expect along the way.Detailed descriptions and maps for your cool new hobby in Florida. With incredible detail, and Reef Smart’s 3D rendered illustrations, learn every aspect of over 100 sites. From currents and depths to dangers and suggested routes—even reef guides and common wildlife—everything is planned out—so you can dive without a hitch!In this guide to snorkeling Florida Keys beaches, you’ll find: A guide to diving in the Keys with descriptions to over 100 sites 3D rendered illustrations to prepare you for each site on your Florida adventure Information on Florida nature and species, you’ll find while snorkeling Florida Keys sites If you enjoy diving books like 100 Dives of a Lifetime, Florida Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal, or Reef Smart Guides Bonaire, you’ll love Reef Smart Guide Florida Keys.

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Book SynopsisDive Into the Fascinating World of Marine Biology!#1 New Release in Scuba Travel GuidesBeneath the Blue Planet is the perfect educational guide for divers, snorkelers, children, and parents. Learn about the ocean, its ecosystems and its conservation from the founders of Reef Smart Guides!Your blue planet adventure starts now! Beneath the Blue Planet is the ultimate guide to the ocean, its creatures, and its conservation. This comprehensive and pioneering book answers many of the burning questions that divers and snorkelers have after exploring the underwater world. If you want to know how the ocean works, understand the perils that coral reefs face and learn about some of the world’s most fascinating marine creatures, then this book will guide you.Beneath the Blue Planet traces the story of our ocean from Earth’s formation to the modern day, detailing the science behind everything from currents and chemistry to the fascinating ecology of its creatures, ranging from plankton to whales. Beyond explaining why the ocean and its inhabitants are so remarkable, Beneath the Blue Planet explores the serious challenges this precious environment faces, and offers insights into how we can work to preserve it for future generations and continue ocean exploration.Inside, you’ll discover: The story of the ocean from its formation to the modern day Coral reefs and the remarkable creatures that inhabit this ecosystem The fascinating natural history of modern-day sharks and their ancient relatives. The challenges faced by the ocean and what we can do to preserve it for future generations If you liked Oceanology, 100 Dives of a Lifetime, and are a fan of the Reef Smart Guides, Dive and Snorkel travel series, you’ll love Beneath the Blue Planet.

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Is there anything quite so exhilarating as swimming in wild water? This is a joyful swimming tour of Britain, a frog’s-eye view of the country’s best bathing holes – the rivers, rock pools, lakes, ponds, lochs and sea that define a watery island. Charming, funny, inspiring, an assertion of the native swimmer's right to roam, a celebration of the magic of water – this book will indeed make you want to strip off and leap in.Selected from the book Waterlog by Roger DeakinVINTAGE MINIS: GREAT MINDS. BIG IDEAS. LITTLE BOOKS.A series of short books by the world’s greatest writers on the experiences that make us humanAlso in the Vintage Minis series:Eating by Nigella LawsonLiberty by Virginia WoolfSummer by Laurie LeeDesire by Haruki Murakami

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Book SynopsisSituated on the south side of the Firth of Forth, the port of Leith, Edinburgh, is a major harbour for warships and cruise liners. Over hundreds of years it has been a trading port and a military dockyard. With Rosyth Dockyard situated further west, this busy waterway has two historically-important destinations for vessels and over time, many vessels were sunk during storms, failed to avoid collisions or were wartime victims of U-boats or aircraft. From Leith Docks the river widens forming a huge estuary filled with volcanic islands and submerged pinnacles that are blasted by fierce tidal streams, providing an opportunity for some fantastic scenic diving. This is also the final resting place of hundreds of shipwrecks, many of which are of especial historical importance. For the diver there is so much to explore in these new and exciting deeper wrecks that have the added attraction of being little known. These wrecks include an aircraft carrier, a German light cruiser that saw action at the Battle of Jutland, aircraft and even steam-powered submarines are all there waiting to be dived. Unlike the well-documented and dived River Clyde wrecks on the west coast, or those in the English Channel, these in the Firth of Forth are rarely mentioned - although many lie within a 20-mile radius of Edinburgh. The author has dived all the 100 sites and wrecks in the book and as a professional underwater photographer has provided truly atmospheric images that capture the special identity of these East coast wrecks and reefs. As well as his detailed knowledge of the sites, the author has also given his recommendations for dive sites, including their GPS positions, safety, and skill level required. Practical information such as dive centres, dive boats, accommodation and onshore activities is also included. This guide will help divers select the best dives to suit local weather conditions and to find the best scenic sites. It includes all the new and exciting dive sites recently found in areas such as Burntisland, North Berwick, Dunbar, St. Abbs and Eyemouth and information on how best to dive them - an absolute must for divers visiting this area!Trade Review'The author has dived all the 100 sites and wrecks, and as a professional underwater photographer has provided truly atmospheric images of these wrecks and reefs. ... Clearly, this book is an absolute "must" for divers visiting the area.' The Nautical Magazine 'The book covers a hundered dives and full of historic details, including newly-found important shipwrecks with photographs and maps and GPS co-ordinates.' Tanked Up Click on the following to see some great reviews! Finstrokes, Edinburgh Evening News, YD Scuba Community, Conger Alley Scottish Scuba Forum. '...stunning photographs of wrecks he's uncountered there, in a fascinating book which reveals a seabed in rich colour.' Edinburgh Evening News 'This is a well-written and useful addition to the UK dive-guide canon.' Diver.net '...provide the reader with a potted history of some very interesting wrecks. They also provide a useful and informative tourist guide to the area.' Ausmarine

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Book SynopsisFrom the best-selling author of four classic UK diving books, comes The Darkness Below - a collection of absorbing adventures gained from a lifetime in diving. As one of the UK's leading Technical Divers, Rod takes the reader on a spellbinding and gripping journey, from first beginnings as a novice scuba diver. Told in intimate detail with a beguiling sense of self-deprecating humour, he recounts epic dives on some of the most fabulous shipwrecks around the world. Terrifying first explorations of virgin shipwrecks far offshore, lost in time and enshrouded in darkness in the silent depths, cram the pages. A daring expedition into the heart of the feared Corryvreckan whirlpool, the third largest in the world, an open sea encounter with Orca killer whales and an agonizing attack of the bends keep the reader engrossed. The palpable gloom, despair and human tragedy of the wrecks is never far away - the cold and darkness of the depths almost resonating with the cries of those who have perished. The fear of entrapment inside a wreck is grippingly described and becomes almost claustrophobic to the reader unfamiliar with the perils of wreck penetration, when snagged nets sometimes billow unseen above the unwary diver. However, there are rewards when survivors from wrecks are keen to speak to someone who has seen and touched their ship that had been lost long ago. This is an unmissable book for all divers and anyone interested in maritime history.Trade Review`The Darkness Below and Deeper into the Darkness complete the trilogy and together take the reader on a spell-binding journey beneath the waves’. Julian Stockwin -------------------- 'This has got to be the most enjoyable dive book I have read in a long time. ... Rod weaves a golden thread through his diving career, picking out wrecks, characters and events that are all interlinked in their own ways. They all form part of a fantastic story, leaving you wanting him to write another volume so that you can continue to follow the tale. ... Rod is a legend in Scottish diving... If you love diving, wrecks or just like a well written, true life adventure written with passion and attention to detail, this is the book for you!' Scottish Diver '...that's the real thriller of 'The Darkness Below'. Rod not only reveals the facts of lesser known and enduringly fascinating wrecks in locations I'm familiar with, he goes even further; exposing the history of other maritime classics I would never have known about. That's why this book is so different. ...a refreshingly great read. ... The many illustrations combined with Rod's in-depth descriptions and the wealth of both historical and anecdotal information doesn't leave the reader wanting. ... It truly is an excellent and informative read and a book you'll find yourself returning to repeatedly for another fix. ...is like a fusion of the most exciting presentations I've watched on National Geographic or Discovery; and reminiscent of the pioneering explorations of Cousteau. ...the late great Monsieur Cousteau may have been your idol Rod, but your equally trail-blazing an awe-inspiring path yourself.' DiversInc '...Rod's memior of his many astonishing diving exploits... ...a collection of bite-size ripping yarns. ...The Darkness Below deserves to become a classic. ... There are some real stand-out gems as "Into the Corryvreckan Whirlpool" (your hands will start to sweat as you read this one), but all of them are compelling... ...is a futureclassic: the quality and quantity of the dives described. ... It's action packed from the get-go and doesn't let up all the way through.' Conger Alley '...a breathtaking first-hand account.' Scotland on Sunday 'If you want to know what 'real' scuba diving is all about, look no further! ...this is one of the most intense and exciting books about Diving I have ever had the good fortune to read and when someone of my experience finds himself saying "Wow!" it must be really good. ... After yet more exciting wrecks from both world wars, the author describes his indoctrination into 'Trimax' - a system of mixed gases which permit divers to venture even deeper, after which he visits the Correyvrecken Whirlpool - one of the largest whirlpools in the world.' Ned Middleton '...anyone from a novice diver all the way up to mixed gas rebreather divers will find something interesting (and probably new!) Tech Diving Mag 'Rod Macdonald's book of his stand-out wreck dives updates his previous Into the Abyss, and it's a terrific read. ...he has a real gift for taking the reader with him on his dives. The descriptions of the wrecks themselves are as good as any you'll read, enabling you to picture easily what his underwater lights reveal. ...what's most enjoyable about the book is that Macdonald communicates so effortlessly the excitement of the quest. ...in the chapter on diving the Corryvreckan whirlpool, you can almost feel the vicious currents... For a picture of British deep wreck-diving and of how technical diving has developed as a means to a useful end, The Darkness Below doesn't disappoint.' Divernet '...we are repeatedly taken on voyages past 50, 60 metres into freezing, pitch black water, often with little or no visibility and entrapment hazards all around. ... Particulary thrilling are a descent into the Corryvreckan Whirlpool in Scotland, a natural maelstrom fraught with dangerous downcurrents that, frankly you'd have to be mad to consider diving. ... The Darkness Below is an adventure story, but it's also a humble and honest account of one man's passio. And by making inaccessible places accessible to all. Rod Macdonald has made a huge contribution to understanding our maritime heritage.' British Diver 'Macdonald is a Scottish diving legend... This is one of the best diving books I've ever read. If divers like Rod Macdonald are shaping the future of the sport, and establishing the ethos and ethics of wreck exploration and discovery, I'm very happy to be involved.' Learn to Dive Today Blog

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Book SynopsisDive Scapa Flow has been THE definitive guide to diving the fabled wrecks of Scapa Flow, one of the world's greatest wreck diving locations. This completely re-written and updated centenary edition is produced to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the scuttle of the 74 warships of the interned German High Seas Fleet at Scapa Flow on 21st June 1919 - the greatest act of maritime suicide the world has ever seen. The dark depths of Scapa Flow conceal the remains of several of the Kaiser's WWI High Seas Fleet. Three massive 575 feet long 26,000-ton Konig-class battleships await exploration - huge underwater mountains where divers can see the last 12-inch big guns to have fired at British warships at the Battle of Jutland in 1916; or drift along rows of 5.9-inch secondary battery casemate guns and see massive masts and heavily armoured spotting tops. Four 5,000-ton, 500 foot long, kleiner kreuzers, Brummer, Coln, Dresden and Karlsruhe lie on their beam ends open for inspection with parts that remained on the seabed of many other High Seas Fleet vessels as they themselves were lifted to the surface during the greatest feat of underwater salvage that has ever taken place. Add in a U-boat, a boom defence vessel, an Icelandic trawler, a number of drifters, WWII vessels, many 'blockships' intentionally sunk to block the smaller channels into Scapa Flow during WWI and WWII and it becomes apparent what Scapa Flow offers divers. Scapa Flow's war graves, HMS Royal Oak, torpedoed at the beginning of WWII and HMS Vanguard, which blew up in a catastrophic magazine explosion in 1917 and HMS Hampshire, which struck a German mine and sunk on 5th June 1916 north-west of Orkney carrying Lord Kitchener and his staff on a secret diplomatic mission to Russia, are off limits to divers today - but their stories are recounted to preserve the memory of those that perished.Trade Review`This is an outstanding book and I would recommend it’. Shipping Today & Yesterday -------------------- `The photos and detailed wreck sketches definitely get the adrenalin and imagination going. ...I was drawn into a gripping and almost eerie world where one of the largest scuttle of German warships in history had occurred. ...was pleasantly taken aback by the rich history that the book clearly provided. It is well presented and structured to anyone who would want to dive this part of the world or find out about its rich and hidden history'. Little Ship -------------------- `...this is a far more comprehensive book. The most notable addition to this edition is the illustrations. The historic pictures of the ships taken at the time give a tremendous sense of their power... ...this most enjoyable book'. Scottish Diver -------------------- `One book that ardent wreck and Scapa Flow fans ought to grab is Rod Macdonald's `Dive Scapa Flow'. Macdonald's knowledge comes across in his enthusiastic writing. The prose is clear, definitive and loaded with facts, figures and safety information. ...the ideal book to read just before you dive on the wrecks'. Deeper Blue -------------------- `...having read Rod Macdonald's latest publication "The 100th anniversary edition" can I really claim to know about Scapa Flow. ...a compelling read. Rod's description of the dive scene once you get to Scapa Flow is compelling and every divers dream scene, It's a beautiful, informative book and a must have for any divers bookshelf'. SubSea -------------------- `Rod Macdonald writes with clarity and enthusiasm...there is no question that this is the definitive account. The book is loaded with facts and figures... Anyone wanting a dive adventure at the fabled Scapa Flow, or just with an interest in shipwrecks, surely needs this book'. Dive New Zealand | Dive Pacific -------------------- `This indispensable softback guide, at almost 400 pages in length, is a must for any diver interested in shipwrecks, and will also appeal to all those with an interest in maritime and naval history'. The Orcadian -------------------- `Rod's definitive guidebook...has been thoroughly revised and reimagined for a new generation of divers... The trademark illustrations remain, supplemented by sonar pictures and some fabulous new photographs... As with his Palau and Truk books, there's plenty here for fans of military history to get excited over... His knowledge, findings and eyewitness account from the deep, remote location off Orkney make up a fascinating last chapter of the book. ...all of the elements make the centenary edition a must-read for anyone thinking of diving the wrecks of Scapa Flow'. British Diver -------------------- `...I found this book fascinating and informative. Although primarily a guide for those interested in diving...it is much more than that. The book covers military history, naval history, biographies, the economics and history of salvaging wrecks, engineering, tourist information and much more... ...detailed accounts of the location of each of the wrecks and the best means of getting the most out of diving to view them. Essential safety information is also included. ...he [Rod] is also an accomplished writer who is capable of explaining technical details in ways accessible to the general reader'. Am Bratach -------------------- `...the ultimate dive guide to the fabulous Scapa Flow...' Scuba Zone -------------------- `The book is a replete with some excellent photographs and drawings. They are first rate and...enable the reader to understand what it is that attracts all those divers - and there are many of them - to Scapa Flow'. Workboat World -------------------- `This is a classic dive book updated and revised, and a fitting tribute to the memory of all those who perished in that body of water'. Julian Stockwin -------------------- `...gives an insight into what is on offer under the water'. Burnley Express, Rebecca Hay -------------------- `No...wreck-diver...should be without this book... Many books have been written about Britain's world-class wreck-diving attraction. ...but Macdonald's caught divers' imagination not only for its vivid meshing of history with diving narrative, at which he is a master, but for its illustrations. ...this new version...benefits in particular from the latest generation of sonar scans, which reveal exactly how the wrecks appear today. The book has almost doubled in pagination since its original incarnation, but what is impressive is that much of the new edition has been rewritten rather than simply tacking new sections onto old'. Divernet -------------------- `...a superb book. The text is sufficiently detailed to be considered an "everything you ever wanted to know about...", and this is supported by excellent illustrations. This book is required reading for anyone interested in diving, or in Orkney (or both), and guarantees that the definitive guide to diving Scapa Flow will remain exactly that for many years to come'. Undiscovered Scotland

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Book SynopsisIn Deeper into the Darkness Rod takes the reader diving to explore many more famous wrecks around the UK from the Great War. These include HMS Pathfinder and HMS Audacious - the first British battleship to be lost to enemy action in WWI. The wreck of HMS Hampshire on which Lord Kitchener perished on a secret mission to Russia in 1916 is visited along with HMS Vanguard, which blew up at anchor in 1917 in Scapa Flow. The K-class submarines lost in the Firth of Forth during the Battle of May Island in 1918 are dived, along with UB-116, the last German submarine to be sunk in action in October 1918. Rod then leaps forward in time to the Pacific during WWII and visits the American shipwrecks from the Battle of Guadalcanal, along with daring penetrations into the stunning Japanese wrecks lying at the bottom of the Truk and Palau Lagoons. The development of technical diving is brought up to the present day where closed circuit rebreathers utilising mixed breathing gases allow Rod to go deeper into the depths in search of lost shipwrecks. The wreck of the SS Creemuir, torpedoed and sunk off north-east Scotland in 1940, was first dived by Rod in 2012. This exploration reveals the human side of shipwrecks when Rod's team recover the Creemuir's bell and present it to the sole surviving crewman, Royal Navy Radio Officer Noel Blacklock. The latest developments in shipwreck exploration taking place at Scapa Flow are recounted before the book concludes with the scandalous desecration of the naval war graves of many nations at Jutland, the South China Sea and the Java Sea.Trade Review`This book is a must of any divers and wreck explorers and I would highly recommend it to such readers’. Shipping Today & Yesterday -------------------- `The Darkness Below and Deeper into the Darkness complete the trilogy and together take the reader on a spell-binding journey beneath the waves'. Julian Stockwin -------------------- `...these two books [Into the Abyss and Deeper into the Darkness] are very valuable records slowly disintegrating over the years and may soon be gone forever'. In Depth

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Book SynopsisInto the Abyss, the first volume in The Diving Trilogy, is a fascinating collection of true life diving adventures from Rod's long and varied diving career. It follows his progression from novice diver in the 1980s through the dangers of the deep air diving era and on to trimix diving in the 1990s where divers began to use commercial mixed breathing gases as the sport of technical diving was born. This opened up vast, previously inaccessible, swathes of the seabed, ushering in a great era of discovery of virgin shipwrecks, lost in time. Rod takes the reader to famous shipwreck sites around the world, from the sunken Japanese Fleet at the bottom of Truk Lagoon and Palau in the Pacific, to diving the third largest whirlpool in the world - the Corryvreckan Whirlpool off the west coast of Scotland. He describes this and many other terrifying incidents in which he and his colleagues have come close to death. The book is filled with danger, drama and excitement and chronicles his all-consuming passion, taking the reader on a spellbinding journey beneath the waves.Trade Review`The Darkness Below and Deeper into the Darkness complete the trilogy and together take the reader on a spell-binding journey beneath the waves’. Julian Stockwin -------------------- 'This is a very good read and I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in the area'. Shipping - Today & Yesterday -------------------- `...these two books [Into the Abyss and Deeper into the Darkness] are very valuable records slowly disintegrating over the years and may soon be gone forever'. In Depth -------------------- `...will be a revelation. ...this book has the lot. Macdonald really was on a voyage of discovery, and he shares it in intricate detail, as if he was sitting beside you, telling the story in person. ... All the essence of diving at the cusp of the technical revolution is here. ...this is the life of a man who was out there pioneering and discovering... This book is utterly marvellous and deeply interesting'. Diver Magazine ------------------- `This is a journey through Rod Macdonald's logbook, how he started, how he progressed to wreck diving and how that led to Trimix and technical diving... I cannot remember reading a dive book that had me laughing out loud. ... will appeal to divers and non-divers alike. It should be compulsory reading for anyone starting out on their own adventure. It is the best book on diving I have read for years and I cannot recommend it enough'. Scottish Diver Magazine

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Book SynopsisFourth Edition - updated and released in 2023. This book gives a comprehensive overview of island history, Indian Ocean maritime history and famous shipwrecks of the Maldives. Dive Maldives includes a useful diver information section, resort names and atoll maps, as well as an index of fish, invertebrates and dive sites that await scuba divers in the Maldives. First published in 1996 and reprinted with updated information in 1998 as the 2nd edition. Translated into English, French, Italian and German. Reprinted with additional information in 2006 and again in 2018 as the 3rd Edition. The atoll maps show more than 200 resorts. This edition adds new resort names and updates island information.Trade Review'Very interesting & informative book on atolls, dive sites & general information on the Maldives. Best I have seen for a long time'- Amazon customer; 'A great description of many of the dive sites in the Maldives. I hope to live long enough to dive all of them!'- Goodreads.Table of ContentsCoral Reefs of the Maldives - Climate, Currents, Diving Safety, Tides, Protected Marine Areas, Indian Ocean Maritime History, Famous Shipwrecks of the Maldives; North Male Atoll Islands (Kaafu); South Male Atoll Islands (Kaafu); North Ari Atoll Islands (Alifu Alifu); South Ari Atoll Islands (Alifu Dhaalu); Felidhe Atoll Islands (Vaavu); Faadjippolhu Atoll Islands (Lhaviyani); Addu Atoll Islands (Seenu); South Maalhosmadulu & Goidhoo Atoll Islands (Baa); North Nilandhe Atoll Islands (Faafu); South Nilandhe Atoll Islands (Dhaalu); Mulaku Atoll Islands (Meemu); North Maalhossmadulu Atoll Islands (Raa); Atoll Maps; Diver Information; Index of Fish; Index of Dive Sites; Further Reading; Dhivehi (Maldivian) Words & Phrases.

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Book SynopsisDiving, both recreational and technical, has exhibited a huge upsurge in uptake throughout the globe, and so has the average age of the active diver. Thus assessing fitness to dive is imperative, and it has to be undertaken with a solid background knowledge of diving and diving medicine, the foibles of the diving environment and the sport, and the interplay between the diving environment, the medical conditions of the diver and the situations which may arise while diving. The first two editions of The Sports Diving Medical are widely considered to be the textbooks best guiding the field of assessment of fitness to dive, a field fraught with difficulties and pitfalls, especially for those not having received training in diving medicine or not being divers themselves. After two decades, we felt the need to rewrite the textbook from the ground up, keeping all the positive elements from the previous editions while adding all the advancements and evidence base in internal medicine & diving medicine which arose over the past years. The third edition of The Sports Diving Medical by Dr Charles Paul Azzopardi and Dr John Parker gives a straightforward and accessible overview of the fitness to diving assessment process, the risks involved, followed by a detailed discussion of each body system, the relevant pathologies of every system and how diving affects each system and how to assess and mitigate the risks involved.Trade ReviewIn this third edition, coming more than 20 years after the second, Dr Parker has joined forces with Dr Charles Paul Azzopardi, a research-active, experienced diving physician who practices in Malta, a hub of intense diving activity. Together they have modernized, updated and expanded the text while retaining the key features that made the earlier editions so exquisitely useful. Over the years I have used the previous editions countless times to help channel my thinking on difficult cases. I predict that an entirely new generation of diving physicians will come to see this new edition as indispensable. Prof Simon Mitchell

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Book SynopsisWhatever happens on your dives they won't be as colourful as the Ultimate Diver's Log Book. With 200 high-quality colour pages at a low price this log book is like no other. There are two pages for each dive so there is plenty of room - no more cramped information. The Ultimate Diver's Log Book can help speed up logging a dive or ensure you keep every detail you might find useful in future. It has pre-filled units (both metric and imperial). There's a section to record any kit configuration you want to remember. It can accommodate multiple gas mixes (for the techier ones among us). A guided calculation will also help you work out your breathing rate. The graph paper can be used to draw dive profiles or scale drawings. There's a large plain area for comments, sketches and stamps. And if anything goes wrong, there's even a section for that too. The Visibility Scale is a range of colours - circle or tick the one closest to the water colour on the dive. Then compare this with the depth and visibility on other dives. There are also pages at the front for personal details and some lined note pages at the back for general use. Easy-use colour-coded pages.Space for 100 dives with two pages per dive. Log depth, time, buddies, gases and consumption. Plus kit, issues, conditions - Innovative Visibility Scale. The ultimate recreational diver's log book is the ideal gift for any serious diver.Trade Review"Quite adaptable, letting you log your dive in the way that suits you best...a useful tool if you want very detailed records of your dives": DIVE magazine.Table of ContentsEasy-use colour-coded pages Space for 100 dives Log depths, times, buddies, gases and consumption Plus kit, issues, conditions - Innovative Visibility Scale The ultimate recreational diver's log book.

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Book SynopsisThe Essential Diver's Log Book is a good value book-format easy-to-use scuba diving log book. It contains boxes for all the essential details a sport diver might like to record after a dive in a clean simple layout. There is room for 50 dives - each with a two page spread. At the front you can record personal details and at the back there's lined paper for notes. Each individual log has boxes for key details - depth, time, cylinder size, gas in/out etc. There's also space for notes on equipment used, conditions and any issues encountered. You'll find graph paper for drawing dive profiles or scale drawings. There's also plenty of space for sketching or writing about the things seen on the dive. Two pages per dive. Space for 50 dives. Log depths, times, buddies, gases, consumption etc - Small, lightweight, ideal for the travelling recreational diver this is the paperback Essential Diver's Log Book.Table of ContentsPersonal details; dive logs; notes.

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Book SynopsisMultiple award-winner Paul Colley shows you how to take the step from good to great underwater images - maybe even good enough to win awards. 'This book will arm and inspire you to transform your underwater photographs, whatever camera you use': Alex Mustard (from the Foreword). The best underwater images don't just capture the subject well, they also capture mood, emotion and atmosphere. Unlike most other underwater photography books, Winning Images with Any Underwater Camera focuses on composition and techniques rather than the all--consuming camera technology that people tend to chase first. This makes it a supremely cost-effective tool for improving images; and there is no discrimination between users of different camera systems - this truly is a book for all. International award winner and instructor Paul Colley reveals the short cuts and shows the vital bits of artistic theory as it applies to underwater photography, grappling with composition in much greater depth than in other books.He also includes easy-to-remember reference models for underwater composition: pre-planned concepts for twelve typical underwater scenes, with the principal considerations boiled down to those essentials that will help you achieve great results, time and again.Trade Review'Excellently written, highly informative and well-executed... the essential guide on this subject': Diver (magazine). 'This book could just be the key to unlocking a new level in your photography career': UWP magazine. 'An ideal gift for any serious underwater photographer': SCUBA (magazine). 'This book will arm and inspire you to transform your underwater photographs, whatever camera you use': Alex Mustard (from the Foreword).Table of ContentsForeword by Dr Alexander Mustard. About the author and acknowledgements. How to use this book. Introduction. List of figures. SECTION 1: COMPOSITION. 1. The Big Picture and Why Composition Matters: Aesthetics and Photographic Intent. 2. Subject Selection: The Right Things in the Right Frame at the Right Time. 3. Light. 4. Viewpoint. 5. Image Depth Perspective. 6. Background and Space. 7. Lines, Shapes and Vectors: Real and Perceived. 8. Contrasts. 9. Colour. 10. Organising the Whole Picture. SECTION 2: EASY-TO-REMEMBER REFERENCE MODELS FOR UNDERWATER COMPOSITION. 11. The Reference Models. SECTION 3: ADVANCED TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVE YOUR COMPOSITION. 12. Understanding Dynamic Range. 13. Natural Light Photography. 14. Remote Lighting Techniques. 15. Split Level Images. SECTION 4: POST-PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES TO FINE TUNE YOUR COMPOSITION. 16. Rescuing Composition Errors and Enhancing Good Composition. 17. Image Manipulation. Glossary. Index.

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Book SynopsisThe Ultimate Diver's Log Book (Mini) is the colourful 50-dive log book. This is a thoughtfully-designed, book-format scuba diving log book. It contains boxes for all the essential details a sport diver might like to record in a clean simple layout. Each dive gets a two-page spread to record all the dive site information. You can also log kit details you might want to refer to again. There is scaled graph paper (time/depth) to record dive profiles (or use however you wish). Almost a whole page is available for sketches, notes and stamps. As with the larger Ultimate Diver's Log Book there is the innovative Visibility Scale - a range of colours from which to pick the water colour and compare with the visibility. There is also room at the front for personal details and lined pages at the back for additional notes. Two colourful pages per dive. Space for 50 dives. Log depths, times, buddies, gases and consumption. Visibility Scale. For recreational divers this is the Ultimate Diver's Log Book (Mini). Slightly shorter and narrower than it's big brother (Ultimate Diver's Log Book: ISBN 978-1-909455-10-6) but the same great quality.Table of ContentsPersonal details; dive logs; notes.

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Book SynopsisGlass and Water is the first book on underwater photography for freedivers. With contributions from expert underwater photographers this book teaches the skills, knowledge and equipment necessary to successfully pursue underwater photography without scuba gear. Rather than seeking to replace books on underwater photography, Glass and Water focuses on freediving techniques, equipment and photo opportunities. By carefully choosing or adapting freediving and photographic equipment some early hurdles can be avoided. Using appropriate freediving techniques can increase the length of time available for taking photographs underwater. And by being aware of the possibilities, frustrations can be avoided and good subjects sought out.Trade Review'It is clear that Glass and Water is a well thought through book that has been years in the development and writing. Mark has an encyclopedic knowledge of his subject and a clear and easy way of imparting his experience. The book is well laid out and designed and should be a must for anyone wanting to take pictures underwater'- gofreediving.co.uk; 'An outstanding resource for both novice and advanced freedivers, snorkelers and underwater photographers in general': deeperblue.com; 'A very informative book which will help freedivers improve their images... The nicest surprise for me was the "Virtual Dive" chapter. This chapter alone was worth the price of the book' - UWP magazine; 'You will end up with an extensive skill set if you pursue all avenues of advice... A great addition to the bookshelf for photographers and freedivers'- learn2freedive.com; 'It's most unlikely that you'll come away without learning something brand new and innovative... I'm very impressed indeed' - Martin Edge.; 'Glass and Water should be as essential as a pair of fins and a camera for underwater photographers. Mark shares his tremendous expertise ... the methodical and well-illustrated techniques will benefit anyone wishing to produce great images in the sea' - Brian Skerry.Table of ContentsContents include: Foreword by Dan Bolt; Freediving Equipment for Underwater Photography; Photographic Equipment; Underwater Photography Basics; Challenges and Opportunities for Freedivers; Lungcraft; Finning; Descents and Ascents; Neutral Buoyancy; Hydrodynamics; Safety; Creature by Creature; A Virtual Dive; Behind the Lens. Plus a Glossary of key terms.

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Book SynopsisErik Petkovic's Lake Erie Technical Wreck Diving Guide is packed with tales of sailing ships and steamers that foundered, succumbed to storms, collided and were engulfed in flames. Ships that sunk more than once, or were involved in wars, slave escapes and catastrophic collisions on the shallowest of the Great Lakes. There are some whose full story is still a mystery waiting to be discovered. The author's original research reveals daring tales of deep salvage, valuable cargo, submarines, experimental engineering, unknown wrecks, and missing, yet-to-be-discovered vessels. This new guide brings to life the lost history of the ships, passengers and crew. Then there are the dives themselves. Some of the wrecks are remarkably intact for their age. Features which can be seen include complete wooden ship's wheels, standing masts, rudders, propellers, portholes, boilers, and steamship hogging arches. As well as a description, each wreck's current condition, location, dimensions, hazards and highlights are given. Photos and archive materials also help bring these rarely dived wrecks to life.Trade Review'A necessary tool for any deep water diver preparing to explore these Great Lakes shipwrecks, and it is a brilliant edition to any serious marine historian’s collection.'-- Gene Peterson, gue.com; 'The stories in this book paint a fascinating picture of two centuries in the life of the North American continent. They're also a page-turning collection of adventures from a part of the world little-known to UK divers. Even if you have no intention of visiting them, it's well worth diving into Erik Petkovic's tales of the shipwrecks of Lake Erie.'-- BritishDiver.co.uk; 'As captivating as it is comprehensive. Equal parts historic compendium and dive guide, the book weaves these subjects together to form an all-encompassing narrative, which draws the reader in and provides the right degree of details and facts without dragging out its pace. This is a must for wreck divers, maritime history enthusiasts, and anyone interested in delving into an era gone but not forgotten' -- John Tapley, SCUBA and H2O Adventure magazine; `Any technical diver considering diving on any of these wrecks should first read this one-of-a-kind book'-- Joe Porter, Wreck Diving Magazine; `Meticulously researched, nicely composed, beautifully illustrated. I wish I had written this book'-- Gary Gentile; `The writing is clear and descriptive, factfiles and safety tips are helpful and there are quite a few greenish underwater photos and illustrations. Nice cover too. Up for something new?' - Diver magazine; `Even if you don't dive, the book is an exciting read with Erik's in depth and meticulous research taking the reader through the fascinating history of each wreck and the crew.... I am not a technical diver but, even so, read the book with intense interest from cover to cover. This book is far greater than a list of technical information on how to dive these particular wrecks. It is a template for all wreck diving, technical or not. If you want more from your wreck diving than just bringing up old bits of brass or rusting iron then this book is an absolute must.'- ScubaverseTable of ContentsAcknowledgments; Dedication; About the author; Introduction; Acme; Andrew B; Atlantic; Barge F; Cracker; Dunkirk Schooner; George J Whelan; John J Boland Jr; Junction 20; Mast Hoop; Oneida; Oxford; Persian; Saint James; Sir C T van Straubenzee; Smith; Stern Castle; Swallow; T8; Suggested Reading; Contributors; Index

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Book SynopsisErik Petkovic's Lake Erie Technical Wreck Diving Guide is packed with tales of sailing ships and steamers that foundered, succumbed to storms, collided and were engulfed in flames. Ships that sunk more than once, or were involved in wars, slave escapes and catastrophic collisions on the shallowest of the Great Lakes. There are some whose full story is still a mystery waiting to be discovered. The author's original research reveals daring tales of deep salvage, valuable cargo, submarines, experimental engineering, unknown wrecks, and missing, yet-to-be-discovered vessels. This new guide brings to life the lost history of the ships, passengers and crew. Then there are the dives themselves. Some of the wrecks are remarkably intact for their age. Features which can be seen include complete wooden ship's wheels, standing masts, rudders, propellers, portholes, boilers, and steamship hogging arches. As well as a description, each wreck's current condition, location, dimensions, hazards and highlights are given. Photos and archive materials also help bring these rarely dived wrecks to life.Trade Review'A necessary tool for any deep water diver preparing to explore these Great Lakes shipwrecks, and it is a brilliant edition to any serious marine historian’s collection.'-- Gene Peterson, gue.com; 'The stories in this book paint a fascinating picture of two centuries in the life of the North American continent. They're also a page-turning collection of adventures from a part of the world little-known to UK divers. Even if you have no intention of visiting them, it's well worth diving into Erik Petkovic's tales of the shipwrecks of Lake Erie.'-- BritishDiver.co.uk; 'As captivating as it is comprehensive. Equal parts historic compendium and dive guide, the book weaves these subjects together to form an all-encompassing narrative, which draws the reader in and provides the right degree of details and facts without dragging out its pace. This is a must for wreck divers, maritime history enthusiasts, and anyone interested in delving into an era gone but not forgotten' -- John Tapley, SCUBA and H2O Adventure magazine; `Any technical diver considering diving on any of these wrecks should first read this one-of-a-kind book'-- Joe Porter, Wreck Diving Magazine; `Meticulously researched, nicely composed, beautifully illustrated. I wish I had written this book'-- Gary Gentile; `The writing is clear and descriptive, factfiles and safety tips are helpful and there are quite a few greenish underwater photos and illustrations. Nice cover too. Up for something new?' - Diver magazine; `Even if you don't dive, the book is an exciting read with Erik's in depth and meticulous research taking the reader through the fascinating history of each wreck and the crew.... I am not a technical diver but, even so, read the book with intense interest from cover to cover. This book is far greater than a list of technical information on how to dive these particular wrecks. It is a template for all wreck diving, technical or not. If you want more from your wreck diving than just bringing up old bits of brass or rusting iron then this book is an absolute must.'- ScubaverseTable of ContentsAcknowledgments; Dedication; About the author; Introduction; Acme; Andrew B; Atlantic; Barge F; Cracker; Dunkirk Schooner; George J Whelan; John J Boland Jr; Junction 20; Mast Hoop; Oneida; Oxford; Persian; Saint James; Sir C T van Straubenzee; Smith; Stern Castle; Swallow; T8; Suggested Reading; Contributors; Index

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Book SynopsisThe Forgotten Shipwreck is the tragic true story of a Cornish pleasure boat which sank without trace or sensation, relegated in news columns by England's football World Cup triumph the day before. It spans so many facets, from a village numbed with whole families wiped out, to angry exchanges in the House of Commons and law courts. There is intrigue, chicanery, deceit, incompetence and greed. It had far-reaching ramifications and yet, for all that, the Darlwyne tragedy lacked an ending. On Thursday 4 August 1966 the sea began to give up its dead. The relatives of twelve of the thirty-one people who had set out on a pleasure trip on 31 July could at least temper their grief to some small extent with the fact that their remains had been found. The loved ones of the other nineteen would have no such solace. Some fifty years later a team of divers, archaeologists, filmmakers, photographers and wreck researchers set about to change that. By piecing together eyewitness accounts, news stories, court proceedings, weather reports and archive material, and by applying modern methods and underwater search techniques would they be able to succeed where the original search mission had been unable? Could they unravel the mystery of complicated waters and pinpoint the final resting place of the Darlwyne?Trade Review'As with all Nick's books, this is well written and extremely well researched. Nick tells a good story with realism and when appropriate, a touch of humour... Nick takes us on a fascinating journey to find the lost wreck and try, finally, to give the surviving family and friends some closure'--Scubaverse; 'Nick is a master of both comedy and tragedy ... this was to be the latter'-- Miranda KrestovnikoffTable of ContentsForeword by Miranda Krestovnikoff; Dedication; Introduction; Origin; A Cast of Characters; Prelude to Disaster; 'When is Daddy coming back?'; Questions on Land and Sea; Two Guilty Men; Aftermath; The Land and the Sea; Searching the Past; Shrinking the Haystack; The Wreck; Questions and Answers; Remembrance; Postscript; Glossary; Acknowledgements; Index.

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Book SynopsisFrom highlands to islands, wrecks to reefs and caves, Wild and Temperate Seas is a new-style guide which will whet your appetite for UK diving. These are over 50 personal favourites at some of the UK's most popular underwater destinations. Dorset Dives author Will Appleyard and his team of experienced collaborators share their picks as they showcase our beautiful coastal locations. Many of the dive sites featured in this new guide already appear regularly in avid UK divers' log books. Others are visited by only those with local knowledge and some rarely see divers at all. All are special in some way to those who have contributed and evidence for those to whom the UK underwater is still a mystery that once you tame these wild and temperate seas there really are some magnificent experiences to be had. As a wise man once said 'There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong thermal protection' (paraphrased). So, demist your mask and embrace the emerald, don your drysuit and conquer the cold... this book shows what incredible quality is waiting to be found if you just scratch the surface of UK diving. Wild and Temperate Seas is an introduction to some of the UK's best dives covering over 50 accessible sites in 15 beautiful locations across the nation. Includes wrecks and reefs, boat and shore dives. By experienced contributors and with stunning images by award-winning underwater photographers, the book is perfect for anyone new to or considering scuba diving in the UK and those seeking inspiration.Trade Review'The pages look bright, the quality of the underwater photography leaves an impression of disarming colour and variety, and the writing is light and bright. Best of all, the book previews the actual dives and takes us for the ride, instead of making us feel like we're revising for an exam. It makes us want to be at the location... An easy, enjoyable read... Books like this are just what British diving needs'-- Diver magazine (Dec 2020); 'An easy-to-read package that succeeds in showing off some of the best places to go diving in the UK... it's a colourful journey through some great British diving locations'-- SCUBA magazine (Jan 2021); 'A perfect guide... Each site is meticulously described and researched, and showcases not only the exciting dives available in the UK but also the abundance and variety of marine life held by our shores. Next time you are planning a UK dive adventure, do plan it with the help of this book.'-- Scubaverse; 'The colourful nature of the book exudes warmth and the contributors take it in turns to provide some of the finest oh-so-lush pictures... Every entry is seemingly a classic of the genre'-- British Diver; ‘A lovely mix of guide book style… with beautiful emotive descriptions and fantastic photography to make you want to jump in as soon as you pick it up and start reading.’– Bulletin of the Porcupine Marine Natural History Society.Table of ContentsMap; Divemaster's Briefing; Introduction; Dorset; Torbay by Dan Bolt; Plymouth; Porthkerris; Rock by Stuart Philpott; Lundy Island; Llyn Peninsula by Jake Davies and Will Appleyard; Rathlin Island by Alex Gibson; Farne Islands by Kirsty Andrews; St Abbs, Loch Long and Loch Fyne by Elaine Whiteford; Mull by Kirsty Andrews and Dan Bolt; Scapa Flow by Jason Brown; North Rona and Sula Sgeir by Kirsty Andrews.

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Book SynopsisDiving the Thistlegorm is a unique in-depth look at one of the world's best-loved shipwrecks, the World War II British Merchant Navy steamship, featuring award-winning underwater photography. In this highly visual guide, cutting edge photographic methods enable views of the famous wreck and its fascinating cargo which were previously impossible. Sitting upright in 30m of clear, inviting Red Sea waters, the ship is packed with the materials of war. Largely complete lorries, trucks, motorbikes, aircraft spares and airfield equipment are crammed into the forward holds and the remains of other vehicles lie amongst boxes of ammunition in the exploded aft holds. Often referred to as an underwater museum, the wreck fascinates visitors for dive after dive. The book is the culmination of decades of experience, archaeological and photographic expertise, many hours underwater, months of computer processing time, and days spent researching and verifying the history of the ship and its cargo. For the first time, Diving the Thistlegorm brings the rich and complex contents of the wreck together, identifying individual items and illustrating where they can be found. As the expert team behind the underwater photography, reconstructions and explanations take you through the wreck in incredible detail, you will discover not only what has been learned but also what mysteries are still to be solved. Limited run of hardbacks.Trade Review'Goes further than any previous guidebook in detailing the current condition of the wreck and its incredible cargo of wartime artefacts, from rifles to railway engines... There's so much to admire here - the complementary use of traditional photography alongside the large scale models and orthophotos afford the reader a way of looking at a wreck that could barely be imagined a decade ago... I recommend this superb book to anyone with an interest on the subject.'- SCUBA magazine.; 'A brilliant in depth guide to the wreck and all it's facets, all illustrated by superb photos and graphics.'-Scubaverse.com; 'Other books have been written about the Thistlegorm, but as befits the wreck this one is probably the most visually arresting ever to go to print... a remarkable achievement, and clearly a labour of love by a group of professionals smitten by this wreck... stunning colour image after stunning colour image leaps out from every page'- BritishDiver.co.uk; 'A detailed, thorough book with excellent images both stills and 3D photogrammetry. It is a really good read'--Divelog Australia; 'The most comprehensive guide to one of the world's greatest shipwrecks'- Emad Khalil, Alexandria University (from the Foreword)Table of ContentsFOREWORD by Emad Khalil, Alexandria University. INTRODUCTION - About the wreck; Wreck under threat; About this guide. HISTORY - Construction and build; Journey and sinking; Rediscovery and contemporary details. GUIDE - Bow to Midships; Upper Deck Holds; Hold No. 1 - Upper Deck; Hold No. 2 - Upper Deck; Lower Deck Holds; Hold No. 1 - Lower Deck; Hold No. 2 - Lower Deck; Shared Entrance to Hold No. 2 and Hold No. 3; Remains of Hold No. 4; Hold No. 5; Stern; Surrounding Seabed; Marine Life. DOCUMENTING THE WRECK - Photographing the Thistlegorm; Photographing the Vehicles; Big Vistas; Photogrammetry; 360 Degree Video; Wrecks at Risk - Future Work. Glossary. About the Authors. Index.

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Book SynopsisDiving the Thistlegorm is a unique in-depth look at one of the world's best-loved shipwrecks, the World War II British Merchant Navy steamship, featuring award-winning underwater photography. In this highly visual guide, cutting edge photographic methods enable views of the famous wreck and its fascinating cargo which were previously impossible. Diving the Thistlegorm is the culmination of decades of experience, archaeological and photographic expertise, many hours underwater, months of computer processing time, and days spent researching and verifying the history of the ship and its cargo. For the first time, this book brings the rich and complex contents of the wreck together, identifying individual items and illustrating where they can be found. As the expert team behind the underwater photography, reconstructions and explanations take you through the Thistlegorm in incredible detail, you will discover not only what has been learned but also what mysteries are still to be solved.Trade Review'Goes further than any previous guidebook in detailing the current condition of the wreck and its incredible cargo of wartime artefacts, from rifles to railway engines... There's so much to admire here - the complementary use of traditional photography alongside the large scale models and orthophotos afford the reader a way of looking at a wreck that could barely be imagined a decade ago... I recommend this superb book to anyone with an interest on the subject.'- SCUBA magazine.; 'A brilliant in depth guide to the wreck and all it's facets, all illustrated by superb photos and graphics.'-Scubaverse.com; 'Other books have been written about the Thistlegorm, but as befits the wreck this one is probably the most visually arresting ever to go to print... a remarkable achievement, and clearly a labour of love by a group of professionals smitten by this wreck... stunning colour image after stunning colour image leaps out from every page'- BritishDiver.co.uk; 'A detailed, thorough book with excellent images both stills and 3D photogrammetry. It is a really good read'--Divelog Australia; 'The most comprehensive guide to one of the world's greatest shipwrecks'- Emad Khalil, Alexandria University (from the Foreword)Table of ContentsFOREWORD by Emad Khalil, Alexandria University. INTRODUCTION - About the wreck; Wreck under threat; About this guide. HISTORY - Construction and build; Journey and sinking; Rediscovery and contemporary details. GUIDE - Bow to Midships; Upper Deck Holds; Hold No. 1 - Upper Deck; Hold No. 2 - Upper Deck; Lower Deck Holds; Hold No. 1 - Lower Deck; Hold No. 2 - Lower Deck; Shared Entrance to Hold No. 2 and Hold No. 3; Remains of Hold No. 4; Hold No. 5; Stern; Surrounding Seabed; Marine Life. DOCUMENTING THE WRECK - Photographing the Thistlegorm; Photographing the Vehicles; Big Vistas; Photogrammetry; 360 Degree Video; Wrecks at Risk - Future Work. Glossary. About the Authors. Index.

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Book SynopsisWhat does it take to dive Titanic's sister ship? This huge vessel from a bygone golden age of ocean travel lies at over 100 metres (330') below the surface. It is not a dive for the faint-hearted. Requiring meticulous planning, precise execution and good conditions, only the most capable technical divers will ever experience it. Even then, tragically some do not make it back to the surface. Expedition Britannic is the story of the May 2019 mission to dive the Olympic-class liner-turned-hospital ship, HMHS Britannic. Sunk near the Greek island of Kea during World War I, she will only be ticked off the bucket list of relatively few of the most dedicated deep divers. Steeped in history, the opportunity to see a largely intact near-replica of the world's most famous ocean liner makes it an ultimate dive to aspire to. Deep wreck photography specialist Rick Ayrton is one such diver. Assisted by expedition leader Scott Roberts, he takes us through the planning, logistics and preparation essential for scaling one of the pinnacles of wreck diving. Then we explore the wreck with him - going deeper than most divers will in their lifetimes to photograph this once great ship - and make new discoveries.Trade Review'A cracking book that will be of interest to any diver, and many others. From my perspective, if I need to persuade anyone why I love deep diving then I’ll simply hand them a copy and wait for them to ask how they can sign up.'— SCUBA magazine; 'Expedition Britannic brings armchair divers closer than we’ve ever been to this magnificent wreck and perhaps will inspire one or two to get out of their armchair and experience it for themselves.'— Encyclopaedia Titanica; 'Done extremely well... The writing is crisp, well-organised and doesn't get bogged down in needless detail.... it is readily accessible to any level of diver... [and] the photography from depth is way beyond what we usually expect'-- Diver magazine; 'Expedition Britannic will appeal to recreational divers who look up (or rather, down) in awe at our technical cousins; it will appeal to technical divers wishing to see how it was done; and it will certainly appeal to White Star line aficionados who want a fresh look at how Britannic appears today.'- British Diver; 'Incredible... the images are stunning. But the really impressive achievement is to make it accessible for non-technical divers whilst also having all the detail that more experienced ones will want'- Dominic Robinson, Officer in Charge Joint Service Sub Aqua Diving Centre / BSAC Technical Chief Examiner; 'Rick Ayrton's photography is a marvellous way to help visualise one of the great diving treasures and archaeological monuments lying at the bottom of the Kea Channel, effectively helping to make the Britannic accessible to the host of divers and maritime historians who may never have the privilege of experiencing the thrill or excitement of visiting the wreck in person. Hand in hand with a revealing narration of what it actually takes to get there in the first place, along with details of the day-to-day problems and hazards which can so easily occur, it can only help to prepare any dive team contemplating their own visit to the 'Mount Everest' of technical diving.'- Simon Mills, maritime historian, owner of HMHS Britannic; 'Rick's scooter driven photographic epic is a fresh take on a wreck that many of us are familiar with, but are also distant from. You see things from a new viewpoint, the whole fore deck, the propellers from below, a new angle showing there is plenty of life left in "the old girl". Nice one!'-- Kieran Hatton, www.divingindepth.co.uk; 'I will never forget Rick's photographs. It was what we were waiting for every day, after every dive'- Yannis Tzavelakos (from the Foreword).Table of ContentsForeword; Introduction; A Brief History. PART 1 - PREPARATION: Build Up; Arrival; SS Burdigala; Dive Planning. PART 2 - THE BIG DIVE: Britannic; Stern; Midships; Time in the Blue; Final Dive. Epilogue. Appendix 1 - Expedition Standard Operating Procedures; Appendix 2 - Underwater Photography; Glossary; Acknowledgements.

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Book SynopsisAction Camera Underwater Video Basics shows how to capture fantastic video and turn it into engaging sequences. The book focusses on small action cameras - the format which includes devices made by GoPro, SeaLife and others - all of which have more depth to them than one might first imagine. Award-winning underwater cameraman Jeff Goodman shows how versatile they can be and how to get the best out of them. Every one of the 200+ images in the book was shot with an action camera. The book looks at important camera features and cuts through the dizzying array of equipment choices. Homing in on what is useful for underwater videoing, Jeff then provides the vital background knowledge key to achieving great results, time after time, whatever device you use: How to avoid the typical mistakes made by many budding underwater filmmakers; Capture better shots and turn them into engaging sequences; An introduction to the editing process - simple techniques to make the best videos; Jeff also explains how to use action cameras to take better underwater stills, both in the water and later from the video which has been shot. The book concludes with two exercises that put the theory into practice. Although technology moves on at a pace, some things will always remain true. Nowadays shooting exclusively with tiny action cameras, Jeff shares a lifetime of essential underwater video know-how in one handy book.Trade Review'A proper hands-on manual that can, and should accompany the diver on their trips as a constant source of reference. If you have an action camera you really should have this book too.'-- Scubaverse.com; 'The essential guide to impressive underwater video'-- BritishDiver.co.uk; 'Great read, great tips for use of the cameras and for shooting and editing. Worth the read and your time!' - Ellen Cuylaerts, ocean advocate, underwater & wildlife photographer, Fellow International in the Explorers Club, public speaker, Women Divers Hall of Fame; 'A great book for anyone planning to get underwater with their action camera. As an expert in underwater video, Jeff makes it easy to get good results with your action camera beneath the surface' - Sven Harms, VP SeaLife Underwater Imaging & Lighting; ''What really impresses me is how Jeff can take a complex topic and break it into simple, easy to understand terms. Following his instruction in this beautifully written, graphic rich publication will allow camera users, no matter what environment they are diving in, to get those shots that they dreamed of.'-- Paul V Toomer, President, RAID Diver Training Agency; 'Armed with this book, some creativity and the, now ubiquitous, small action cameras you can achieve some very impressive results.' - Andy Torbet, underwater explorer, cave diver, freediver, skydiver, climber, outdoorsman and TV presenter; 'The perfect roadmap to help divers of any skill level learn to shoot video in the sea' - Kip Evans, professional photographer and underwater explorer (from the Foreword).Table of ContentsIntroduction; Responsible Filming; Equipment; Theory; Maintenance and Prep; Shoot Planning; Sequence Structure; Techniques; Editing; Stills; Confined Water Exercise; Open Water Exercise. Glossary. Index.

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Book SynopsisGo beyond the guidebook with Diving Gozo & Comino, your ultimate companion to exploring Malta's stunning underwater world. Local expert Richard Salter shares his in-depth knowledge with detailed maps, photos and dive site descriptions for a whopping 72 locations.

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Book SynopsisThe popular image of sharks is of a dorsal fin cleaving the surface as it rushes to its next kill, but this is a limited caricature. There are over 500 species to choose from, most of whom are far more frightened of humans than vice versa. In this beautiful book, diving veteran John Bantin recounts many tales of his diving with several species of sharks and other marine animals over the last 4 decades. Accompanied by his own stunning photography, the captivating, spectacular and sometimes shocking encounters show the reader what it is like to get up close and personal to these bizarre and beautiful creatures. The sharks covered range from the great whale sharks to the small blacktip reef shark, in locations extending to all corners of the globe.Trade Review“John’s memory for detail is impressive, and he brings many a scene to life with subtle flashes of colour that many writers in this genre are not capable of summoning. I’d recommend Shark Bytes to anyone with an interest in sharks and diving.” (Scuba Magazine) “Along with his “wow” close-up photographs on nearly every page, Bantin describes his encounters with many sharks”. (Undercurrent Magazine) “Shark Bytes is a wonderful collection of first-hand encounters with sharks by diving verteran John Bantin, accompanied by his compelling imagery”. (Dive Magazine) “Accompanied by compelling imagery, this beautifully written book draws you deep into his underwater world: shocking, inspiring and certainly exciting adventures come to life as the words surround your imagination… Overall, Bantin knows how to tell a story, his thoughts organized, his descriptions detailed, and both a fantastic sense of humour and compassion carries his narrative. Shark Bytes takes the reader on a magical journey to discover the wonderous diversity of the underwater world. This is a must have book!” (Scuba & H2O Adventures Magazine, March 2019)Table of ContentsIntroduction; 1: The Great Hammerhead; 2: Early Experiences in the Bahamas; 3: Whitetip Reef Sharks; 4: The French Connection; 5: Grey Reef Sharks of the Indo-Pacific; 6: Beveridge Reef; 7: Hammerhead Madness; 8: Dirty Rock, Cocos Island; 9: Nurses and Leopards; 10: The Oceanic Whitetip; 11: Photographing Oceanic Whitetips; 12: Bottlenose Dolphin; 13: Silky Sharks and Dolphins; 14: Whale Sharks; 15: Tagging Whale Sharks; 16: Whale Sharks and the Thruster; 17: Safari or Circus?; 18: Bull Sharks; 19: Tiger, Tiger; 20: The Tasselled Wobbegong; 21: Shark Diving in the Golden Triangle; 22: The Sha’ab Rumi Shark Club; 23: Panic at Gordon Rocks; 24: Australian Rules; 25: A Dive on the Wild Side; 26: Maldives After Dark; 27: Manta Mania; 28: Dugongs: Mermaids of Years Gone By; 29: British Sharks; 30: What Eats Sharks?; 31: Shark Feeding: Right or Wrong?; 32: Is the Only Good Shark a Dead Shark?; Tailpiece: Sharks Keep Messing With My Wallet

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Book SynopsisThe warm tropical waters and coral reefs teeming with fish mean that Seychelles is a hugely popular diving destination. The waters that surround Seychelles are home to over 1,000 species of fish and 300 species of coral. The islands are visited by giant Whale Sharks and manta rays, and are home to the critically endangered Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles. Divided into three parts, the book provides a general introduction to diving and snorkelling in Seychelles including what to expect and where to base yourself; a guide to the best sites for diving and snorkelling; and a photographic identification to 280 of the most common species of marine life covering fish, invertebrates, corals and megafauna. For all those who plan to spend time in or on the waters of the inner islands of Seychelles, this is the perfect, pocket-sized guide. The taxonomy of some fish species has been updated for the second edition.

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Book SynopsisA photographic identification guide to the reef fishes of Seychelles aimed at divers, snorkelers, scientists, students and general fish enthusiasts. To date nearly 900 species of fish have been recorded from coral reefs and their associated habitats within Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone. With over 550 species and almost 700 photographs all captured in situ, this book represents the most comprehensive field guide to the reef fishes of Seychelles currently available. The general introduction discusses Seychelles' geography and coral reefs, followed by the taxonomy, classification and nomenclature of the species, fish diversity in Seychelles, endemic and endangered fishes, and fish anatomy. The species descriptions cover identifying features, size, biology and distribution.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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