Diving Physiology In Plain English

Diving Physiology In Plain English

New eighth edition expanded 2021 has white title text on light blue cover. Many all-new sections added. 312 pages. Green cover, and blue with black text cover editions are OLD outdated editions. Check which sellers offer the new BLUE cover edition with WHITE title text. This book is for all scuba divers and those interested in diving, regardless of diving certification level or academic background. The purpose is to present the interesting concepts behind the physiology, so all can understand and enjoy. 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 the interesting changes in your body underwater, effects of diving in cold water and in hot conditions, the interesting hows and whys behind diving maladies, how to get in shape for diving, and important nutrition topics for divers. Although most scuba books have sections only about women, this book includes issues for men divers, too. There is a large, annotated glossary at the end of the book. 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. "Diving Physiology In Plain English" A book review by Edmond Kay, MD "No bubble is so iridescent or floats longer than that blown by a successful teacher." Sir William Osler (1849-1919), Canadian Physician Dr. Jolie Bookspan has been listening to her students for years, patiently finding the best way to get across difficult concepts of Human Physiology. Many of her students hated science, and with good reason. It can be so dry, especially when poorly taught. She had to develop new tricks to impart her knowledge, but more importantly she had to learn new ways of germinating interest in the subject so that her ideas would bear fruit. With this book, she has virtually redefined the art of teaching by exploiting humor as a form of "synaptic glue" seldom used in a serious scientific text. Her wit is fun and richly layered. That is what makes this book so compelling. She makes science delicious. As you can see by now, I enjoyed reading this book immensely. It turns out to be one of the most valuable books in my collection for a number of reasons. First, as the manager of an interactive Diving Medicine web site for the University of Washington, I often find myself trying to teach Diving Physiology on-line to divers with a variety of backgrounds from the absolute neophyte to the scientist/colleague. Take for instance the subject of Immersion. After reading the chapter titled "Effects of Immersion," it struck me that those effects are not intuitive. It makes sense after you read it, but information on hydrostatic gradients and centralization of blood volume (Fat-Face-Chicken-Legs-Effect) was not only interesting but also invaluable to me as an educator. This book is not a "Read Once & Shelve Forever" type, but falls squarely into the "Read Often & Frequently Reference" category. In its place of honor beside my computer, my signed copy has started to look more like a well-used phone book than a physiology text. I reviewed a sample of the most common "Frequently Asked Questions" taken on-line at my web site during the last two years of operation. It is uncanny how relevant this book is. Asthma, barotrauma, compartment off-gassing, decompression theory; it is all here and handled with the skill that comes from years of teaching. I was pleasantly surprised that many popular clinical topics were also covered in much more detail than I have come to expect. "Diving Headaches" (a common topic) was given three pages and is a masterpiece of completeness, as is "Oxygen Toxicity." With few exceptions, there is just about everything a diver needs to know here in fascinating detail. My only disappointment was to find that the physiology of childhood and adolescence was missing. It would have been particularly relevant to have included it here in light of all the economic pressures to get divers in the water at an ever younger age. I strongly council parents to restrain themselves from pushing their children into the water with SCUBA gear for a few years into adolescence. The criticisms are few, the accolades many. Dr Jolie Bookspan has written more that just a "handy compendium" (her words). This is an encyclopedia of the most valuable information a diver might want to know. A very entertaining way to learn and teach science. Yes, I do love this book! (Edmond Kay, MD http:/