Scuba Diving Book Reviews:
Essential Reads for Skill, Safety, and Mindset
Under Pressure
I picked up Gareth Lock’s Under Pressure expecting a thoughtful read, but it ended up challenging how I think about dive safety entirely. It doesn’t focus on gear or technique. It focuses on how we think, communicate, and make decisions. The central idea that human error is a symptom, not a root cause, really stuck with me. It reframes incident analysis in a way that feels both fair and practical.
Lock draws a sharp line between risk and uncertainty, which made me rethink how often divers lean too hard on numbers and confidence while ignoring the unknowns. He connects that to real-world diving through topics like psychological safety, situational awareness, and team communication, all with examples that feel relevant, not academic.
This isn’t a checklist book. It is a mindset shift. And for any diver serious about improving how they dive with others, not just how they control their buoyancy, I think it is worth reading. I would especially recommend it to instructors, divemasters, or anyone who wants to be more thoughtful about decision-making underwater.
The Fundamentals of Better Diving (2021)
This book is a broad introduction to the philosophy behind Global Underwater Explorers (GUE), covering everything from gear configuration to dive mindset. While not overly technical, it’s a solid overview of how GUE approaches diving as a system rather than a collection of isolated skills.
The part that stood out to me most was the GUE EDGE pre-dive planning framework. It stands for Goal, Unified Team, Equipment, Exposure (depth and time), Decompression strategies, Gas strategies, and Environmental concerns. That checklist alone was worth the read for me.
What made it resonate even more was seeing it used in real life before I even knew what it was called. During my drysuit class with Richard Tessell, he ran through a structured pre-dive briefing that instantly made everything click. It created clarity and alignment in a way I hadn’t experienced before. Later, when I saw GUE EDGE explained in this book, I realized that was exactly what we had done.
If you are curious about the GUE system or want to sharpen how you approach team diving and planning, this is a great starting point. It gives enough detail to be useful without overwhelming you with doctrine.
The Six Skills and Other Discussions
Even though this book was published back in 2011, I found the concepts inside still hold up today. It is subtitled “Creative Solutions for Technical Divers,” but in truth, most of the content is relevant to recreational divers as well. I would estimate about 90 percent of it applies directly. The language and examples lean technical, but the principles are universal.
One of the most valuable takeaways for me was a proper method for calculating weighting. That section alone was worth the read, especially since it is something so often misunderstood or oversimplified in recreational training. The book also includes a deeper dive into decompression theory, which may be more relevant to tech divers, but even that helps reinforce a better understanding of dive planning.
The only caution I would add is that Steve sometimes uses SAC and RMV interchangeably, which can create confusion if you are trying to be precise about gas calculations. If you already know the difference, it is easy enough to adjust as you read.
Overall, I think this book is a solid read for any diver looking to think more critically and creatively about improving their diving, whether you are heading toward technical training or just want to sharpen your fundamentals.
Technical Diving an Introduction
Despite what the title suggests, this book has a lot to offer recreational divers. While it does touch on topics like rebreathers and deep exploration, most of the material is directly relevant to anyone who wants to dive with more control and awareness.
It covers gear configuration, buoyancy, trim, finning techniques, dive drills, and the foundations of decompression—all presented in a way that goes deeper than typical entry-level training. I would describe it as a thoughtful expansion on the subjects your open water course likely introduced only in passing.
After taking the GUE Fundamentals class, I noticed how closely the course content aligns with what Powell describes in this book. The overlap is significant, and I doubt it is a coincidence. Both emphasize precision, discipline, and a team-based approach to diving.
I recommend this book to divers at any level who want to understand their diving better. Whether you are just getting serious about your skills or thinking about advancing into more complex dives, this book provides a strong foundation.
Deco for Divers
Most recreational divers will find little reason to read the majority of this book, and I think that is fair to say up front. It is not a light read, and it is not meant to be. But if you are someone who wants to understand the why behind decompression theory, not just follow a dive computer, this is one of the best resources out there.
It covers everything from the history of decompression models to the physics of pressure and gas behavior. Topics include half-times, compartments, m-values, ascent rates, and why the concept of a “no decompression dive” is more myth than reality. Powell also explains the evolution of bubble theory, the fall of deep stops, and the limitations of modern bubble models.
There is a full breakdown of DCS, AGE, DCI, and how to recognize and respond to symptoms. You will find explanations of PFOs, predisposing factors, and even a walkthrough of the five-minute neurological exam. The book closes with discussions on saturation diving, Nitrox, and the now cost-prohibitive realm of mixed gas diving.
This is not a book I would recommend to every diver. But if you are thinking about technical training, or just want to go deeper into the mechanics of how the body responds to pressure and gases, it is a valuable reference to keep on your shelf.