I've compiled a small library of SCUBA related books. Whenever someone builds a hobby library there will be overlap and some controversial information. That is the case here.

As I evolved more toward NTEC / DIR diving, a great deal of what I was able to place more of what I read into a proper context. Some of the information (and opinions) require experience and training to fully understand. The works here are presented as references and should be carefully evaluated with the aid of an instructor to clarify when necessary.

A lot of books have been written on the history of various shipwrecks. The books are generally focused on geographic areas. A few are by ship type (ie warship or pirate).

The Works of Gary Gentile

Gary Gentile has been prolific in his work on east coast shipwrecks. He was also the first diver to gain access to the USS Monitor site.

Here is his Delaware and Maryland book. Gary's narrative really adds a lot to the wreck. He recounts some of the drama involved in the wrecks and gives background to the people caught in the events. This is only one of his books. Others exist covering the coast from Massachusetts, to Georgia. A comprehensive list of his work is at the Gary Gentile Productions web site.

Where possible Gary also provides photographs of the ships before the sinking. His books are frequently found aboard the dive boats that work on the east coast. This allows divers to review the history of the wrecks visited during the dive trip.

Henry Keatts and George Farr

A three volume series by Herny Keatts and George Farr covers Warships, US Submarines and U-Boats. The cover shown is outdated as there was an update released in 2007. The Warships book is shown here.

The books were a good read. I purchased one and then went through the others as quickly as I could find them.

Various authors have published their thoughts on the practical techniques used in diving, as well as the science behind mixing gases, and decompression. I strongly caution the reader to seek a qualified instructor before attempting any of the techniques descroibed in the books. While a lot of the information is good, there is also a lot subject to misinterpretation. Failure to correctly apply that information could result in serious injury or death.

Once Again....Gary Gentile

Gary has written several books on wreck diving techniques and equipment. They are one his webiste, Gary Gentile Productions. Very few divers can approach Mr. Gentile's accomplishments in the water. But modern divers have the benefit of the years of experience from him and  many other divers in the deep/tech/cave community. Base on that, I will say that the gear configurations described in Gary's wreck books are outdated. NAUI's NTEC program and the DIR community have embraced streamlined systems that result in less clutter and safer diving. Many dive equipment manufacturers present today did not exist prior to the 90s. Modern streamlined gear produces a cleaner configuration. I recommend Mr. Gentile's books in wreck diving technique with the caveat that the gear recommendations should be critically reviewed and updated.

John Lippman

I confess it has been a while since I read Mr. Lippman's books. I do recall he created an excellent overview of diving techniques and physiology. The first book I read, was The Essentials of Deeper Sport Diving (Shown here). It is a great, "to the point" read. The second book I read was simply called Deeper into Diving. The first book was more valuable to me because it presented a brief exploration of a variety of topics. The second book went into more detail and was beyond what I needed to know as a recreational diver. I do want to re-read it now that I have progressed well into technical and decompression diving. A second edition of the "Deeper into Diving" book is out. Mr. Lippman is listed as co-author with Dr. Simon Mitchell.

Solo Diving - Strongly Advised Against

I have read many diving accident reports. I've also spoken with fellow divers and learned of the deaths that result from solo diving accidents. This is a buddy sport. While technical divers assert that they are trained for self rescue, that is no argument to dive alone. The other argument I hear often is, in difficult environments a buddy is a hazard. To that I say, "Why do dives that are that hazardous?". This is supposed to be a recreational activity. This book is provided for so you can understand the concepts that apply to safer, more self-reliant diving. It is not intended to recommend solo diving. Solo diving is taking an unnecessary risk. The one piece of gear you cannot carry is an extra brain. That is the one piece of gear capable of preventing potentially fatal mistakes.

GUE - Jarrod Jablonski

This is the first book that attempted to capture the Hogarthian divng concepts also know as DIR or Do-It-Right. It was published by Global Underwater Explorers, a dive training agency started in the late 1990's. NAUI embraced Hogarthian concepts in its NTEC materials.

The DIR (Do-It-Right) philosophy has created controversy in the tech diving community. There is a financial interest tangled here too. DIR equipment doesn't use a lot of the equipment sold in the local dive shop. By opposing the use of basic recreational gear DIR advocates impact the bottom line of the dive shop. Threaten anyone's income and you'll get an adversary. It is an excellent introduction but requires a competent instructor to put the techniques into practice.