For all divers, beginner through instructor, search and rescue teams, training departments, health care providers, and family of divers. Complex topics translated into understanding. Fun stories and illustrated glossary.
Clear information to understand (not memorize) physiology and medicine, and apply to safer decompression, thermal, equipment, gas mixing, fitness to dive, nutrition, rescue, injuries, and to demystify the many claims and counterclaims in diving.
Topics in each chapter were selected from questions divers ask most frequently. In non-technical language this book explains the mysterious terminology of decompression tables and computers, reasons for interesting changes in your body underwater, effects of diving in cold water and in hot conditions, the interesting hows and whys behind diving maladies, Interesting facts like why decompression bubbles can be helpful in your body, free radicals and oxygen toxicity - will anti-oxidant vitamins protect against the oxidants involved in toxicity and more, how to get in shape for diving, and important nutrition topics for divers. An inclusive book with sections not only about women, but issues for men divers too including effects of pressure on penile and testicular implants, hair replacements, fertility, hernias, more...
There is a large, annotated glossary. More than a handy reference of definitions, it includes word derivations, key concepts, and fun stories behind the people and information.
With the information in this book you will be better equipped to make sense of the many claims and counterclaims in diving physiology. You will be better prepared to understand more advanced training classes. You will have information to make informed decisions concerning decompression tables and computers, be a healthier, fitter diver, and avoid diving injuries. You'll even learn neat scuba knowledge tidbits just for fun.
Author Biography:
Dr. Jolie Bookspan, research physiologist studying the effects on human physiology of heat, cold, altitude, outer space, G-forces, pressure, exercise, injury states, and immersion, sometimes all at once. Former scientist for the US Navy. Doctorate in environmental physiology and sports medicine. Masters in exercise physiology in extreme environments. Post-doc in altitude decompression. Internship in hyperbaric hypoxic, hyperoxic, and hypercapnic response to rest and exercise, and decompression physiology. Two University Fellowships and one Presidential Fellowship in cold immersion physiology, altitude and decompression, and sports medicine. Studied and worked directly with some of the pioneers of the field: Lanphier, Lambertsen, Bove, and others. Lived and worked as research scientist in aviation and in underwater laboratories studying human decompression and saturation to extend human survival and improve performance. Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine, first graduating class. Fourth degree black belt in Shotokan karate. Former full contact Muay Thai fighter. Inducted into the EUSA Black Belt Hall of Fame, Master Instructor of the Year 2009. Vidocq Forensic Society Science Officer, Vidocq Society 2015 Medal of Achievement. Scuba instructor, inducted into the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) Instructor Hall of Honor. Dr. Brown Memorial Award for dedication to research and education in underwater medicine, hyperbarics, SCUBA training, and injury. Dr. Charles Brown was called "America's Diving Doctor." According to NAUI, "The Dr. Brown Award recognition is given to the very few whose service to diving is largely out of the limelight. It is a unique award in diving."
