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International Textbook of Mixed Gas Diving by Heinz K J Lettnin, The Technical Diving Handbook by Gary Gentile
International Textbook of Mixed Gas Diving by Heinz K J LettninThe Technical Diving Handbook by Gary Gentile
Textbook of Mixed Gas Diving - Theory, Technique, Application: the title says it all. The style is heavily academic and the text and presentation laden with mathematics. This is not aimed at the average sports diver, but at the offshore diving industry, with extensive details on saturation diving, chamber and bell operations.
However, there are no doubt recreational divers with good mathematical backgrounds who will enjoy the challenge of this book. If you are planning a saturation diving mission to the Britannic, it will help you work out your gas requirements.
More accessible is Gary Gentile's work. Having enjoyed his earlier book The Ultimate Wreck Diving Guide, I was looking forward to his updated version, The Technical Diving Handbook. I was not disappointed. The author's relaxed style, with anecdotes drawn from extensive experience, makes it easy, entertaining reading.
In addition to the usual issues of nitrox and trimix diving, Gentile includes sections on diver propulsion vehicles, rebreathers and wireless communications. The equipment section has the most comprehensive review of methods for peeing in a drysuit I have ever read! The author even describes his experiences of evaluating the various systems at home!
He should also be congratulated on his open and non-dogmatic review of equipment configuration. A refreshing attitude after the excesses of the 'doing it right' fascists.
I have a few complaints. Some tables seem to have been slipped in as an afterthought, and would serve no useful purpose even had they been better laid out and explained. Also, the sequence of information would be much improved by putting peripheral equipment and issues such as diver propulsion and communications to the back.
Finally, I feel it is a misnomer to create a 'handbook' in such a large format. Handbooks should be hand-sized, not desk-sized! But whatever its size, this was a book I was sorry to return. John Liddiard |
International Textbook of Mixed Gas Diving by Heinz K J Lettnin, AquaPress UK (01702 462446). Paperback, 264pp, £18.99
The Technical Diving Handbook by Gary Gentile, AquaPress UK, Softback, 192pp, £24.99
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