Table of Contents

Part I The Underwater Environment; Chapter 1. Challenges of the Underwater Environment; Chapter 2. Types of Diving, Dive Profiles and Phases of the Dive; Chapter 3. The Inert Gas Load; Part II Physiological Responses to the Underwater Environment; Chapter 4. Adaptations of the Heart and Vascular System for Diving; Chapter 5. The Respiratory System in Diving; Chapter 6. Adaptations in Blood and Muscle Tissues to Improve Oxygen Carrying and Storage; Chapter 7. Meeting the Challenges of the Cold Water Environment; Chapter 8. Propulsion in the Aquatic Environment; Chapter 9. Orientation in the Aquatic Environment; Part III Medical Aspects of Sport Diving; Chapter 10. Medical Preparation for Diving: Fitness and Nutrition; Chapter 11. Psychological and Physiological Problems of the Surface; Chapter 12. Other Surface Problems: Exposure and Marine Animal Injury; Chapter 13. Problems Associated with Descent; Chapter 14. Bottom Problems; Chapter 15. Ascent Problems; Chapter 16. Complications of Medical Problems of Diving

About the Author

Michael Strauss, MD has been Director of the Baromedical Department of Long Beach Memorial Medical Centre in California since 1992. His background and experiences include submarine medicine at the U.S. Naval Submarine Medical School, diving medicine at the U.S. Naval School of Diving and Salvage and orthopaedic surgery at the Naval Regional Medical Centre. His work has been widely published, including articles on diving-related medical concerns. Igor V. Aksenov, MD. PhD is the Acting Dean, Professor and Director of the Hyperbaric Medicine Programme at Saba University School of Medicine in The Netherlands. His background and experience includes specialising in hyperbaric medicine at the Military Medical Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia and also being physician on the Navy Faculty of Curative General Practice at the Military Medical Academy. He treats diving accident patients and is a prolific writer.