Classic of diving physiology | |
Bennett and Elliott's physiology and medicine of diving. Alf O Brubakk, Tom S Neuman (editors). Edinburgh: Saunders, 2003 (xii + 779 pp). ISBN 0 7020 2571 2. |
This unique resource
covers the obscure literature of diving physiology. A classic since its first edition in 1969, it is now its fifth edition and, for the first time, is edited by others.
Each chapter is topic-based and written by an expert in the field, frequently an academic or a researcher. The text reflects the skills, but also the bias, of the authors and, because these are so divergent, consensus is neither attempted nor achieved. Many chapters are so highly specialised that they are almost incomprehensible — written by experts, for experts. Some chapters are so comprehensively annotated that the text does not flow easily for readers. However, no other text has a better bibliography on diving physiology and research, and any minor criticisms are subordinate to this accolade. The format does need review. After an overview of the diving industry, the reader is suddenly plunged into complex physics, physiology and mathematics without any gradation from the basic physics and physiology necessary for an understanding of the subject. Indeed, it is not until the last chapter that basic diving equipment is discussed. The text does not cover diving medicine comprehensively. There are some new chapters that attempt to deal with practical and clinical aspects of diving medicine, but these are inadequate, and some topics, such as hyperbaric medicine, have been omitted in the new edition, while others, like breath-hold diving, comparative diving physiology and drowning, have been added. While there are 230 pages dealing with decompression illness, the more common causes of diving mortality or morbidity — panic, fatigue, saltwater aspiration, gastrointestinal, facial and mask barotrauma, gas contamination from compressors, marine animal injuries and infections — are given little or no space, and are not even mentioned in the index. Except for one paragraph, the chapter on drowning is unrelated to scuba diving. This book remains the pre-eminent sourcebook for researchers and academic diving physiologists and physicians involved in writing scientific articles, but is of limited value to the practising diving physician. Carl W Edmonds
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