Diving Science Revisited

Diving Science...Revisited is like no other diving text, including its predecessor, Diving Science. Amplified with figures, tables, and photos in color, this book includes four unique and innovative parts amplified by nine contributors. - Medical problems of diving (MPD) are discussed from stimulus-response perspectives in the phase of a dive in which they are likely to occur. - MPD are explained by how they affect the human diver whether physical, physiological, psychological, and/or lack of awareness. - A variety of diving types and situations from breath-hold to rebreather, from children to women to older aged adults, from cold water to cave, and from deep altitude to diving with handicaps are described in individual chapters with their merits, hazards, and necessary precautions for safe diving. - Part IV contains a concise summary of the MPD from seven different perspectives ranging from the significance of the problem to when to return to diving. - Part V consists of a rhetorical question for each of the first four parts with bullet points that recap the subjects covered in each chapter. This book describes the positive as well as undesirable ways divers' interact with the aquatic environment. It is especially recommended for the following: -Diving instructors and supervisors - Those involved with clinical applications of hyperbaric oxygen therapy - Those engaged in diving-associated marine biology and underwater missions - All divers, whether novice or advanced, who want to advance their knowledge about the science and medical challenges of diving.

This text blends theoretical and scientific aspects with practical and directly applicable diving physiology and medical information. It is divided into three sections - the underwater environment, physiological responses to the underwater environment, and medical problems associated with the sport.

You will find in this book some valuable and reliable lessons about safe diving The editors of and authors of this book are a cadre of scientists and physicians with broad experience and knowledge of diving physiology and decompression theory. As is often the case, it requires a group effort to succeed in advancing practical knowledge. The colloquialism "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" is often true and the PHYPODE Reasearch Group epitomizes this concept. By logically grouping the various elements of diving science and medicine with provocative "food for thought" sections, the text offers valuable lessons to those interested in the current state of diving. Despite nearly 170 years of reasearch, the fundamenal nature of decompression stress remains elusive. As is well outlined in this book, great advances have been made to the practical elements allowing for safe diving. Nonetheless, there are glaring voids of knowledge related to the nature of bubble nucleation, its consequences and methods to ameliorate risk. The synergy exhibited in this text not only provides a foundation for what is known, it offers a glimpse of where research is taking us. - Professor Stephen R. Thom, Dept. of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine This is a book for all diving fans who want to discover their passion through a scientific approach. EXCERPT Decompression illnesses (DCI), or as they are called more scientifically: dysbaric disorders, represent a complex spectrum of pathophysiological conditions with a wide variety of signs and symptoms related to dissolved gas and its subsequent phase change.1, 2 Any significant organic or functional dysfunction in individuals who have recently been exposed to a reduction in environmental pressure (i.e., decompression) must be considered as possibly being caused by DCI until proven otherwise. However, apart from the more obvious acute manifestations of a single, sudden decompression, individuals who have experienced repetitive exposures (e.g. commercial or professional divers and active recreational divers) may also develop sub-acute or chronic manifestations, even if subtle and almost symptomless. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Dr. Costantino Balestra started to study neurophysiology of fatigue then started studies on environmental physiology issues. He teaches physiology, biostatistics, research methodology, as well as other subjects. He Is the Director of the Integrative Physiology Laboratory and a full time professor at the Haute Ecole Bruxelles-Brabant (Brussels). He is VP of DAN Europe for research and education, Immediate past President of the European Underwater and Baromedical Society. Peter Germonpré is the Medical Director of the Centre for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy of the Military Hospital Brussels, Belgium).

This updated and revised second edition of John Heine's Scientific Diving Techniques covers the details of research methods underwater. Included are general scientific diving guidelines, an overview of aquatic habits and ecosystems, specialized diving equipment and procedures, locating and marking study sites, archaeology, measuring physical and biological factors, underwater experimentation and underwater photographing and videography for the scientist. There are over 500 references to original scientific techniques. Also included are training exercises to aid Diving Safety Officers in training scientific divers.