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Diver Down: Real-World Scuba Accidents and How to Avoid Them
One diver, after a seemingly brief period below the surface, discovers that his gas supply has run perilously low. Another, paralyzed, bobs helplessly on the surface, and when a poorly trained divemaster attempts rescue, things go from bad to worse. Two other divers, fascinated by the bountiful undersea life of the Caribbean, fail to notice that a powerful current is sweeping them rapidly away from their unattended boat.
These are just a few of the true stories you’ll find in Diver Down, most of them involving diver error and resulting in serious injury or death. Each of these tales is accompanied by an in-depth analysis of what went wrong and how you can recognize, avoid, and respond to similar underwater calamities. This unique survival guide explores the gamut of diving situations, including cave and wreck diving, deep-water dives, river and drift diving, decompression sickness, and much more. It shows you how to prevent tragic mishaps through:
Inspection and maintenance of primary and secondary diving gear Learning and following established safety protocols Confirming the training and credentials of diving professionals Practicing emergency responses under real-world conditions
These are just a few of the true stories you’ll find in Diver Down, most of them involving diver error and resulting in serious injury or death. Each of these tales is accompanied by an in-depth analysis of what went wrong and how you can recognize, avoid, and respond to similar underwater calamities. This unique survival guide explores the gamut of diving situations, including cave and wreck diving, deep-water dives, river and drift diving, decompression sickness, and much more. It shows you how to prevent tragic mishaps through:
Inspection and maintenance of primary and secondary diving gear Learning and following established safety protocols Confirming the training and credentials of diving professionals Practicing emergency responses under real-world conditions
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2005
94 people are currently reading
720 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
July 11, 2013
This should be mandatory reading in every open water certification course.
August 1, 2017
A terrifying account of about two dozen diving fatalities and near-fatalities. Not a pleasant read by any means, but a necessary one, I think. Each incident is analyzed objectively and thoroughly, explaining what went wrong and why--and in most cases, how the tragedy might have been avoided entirely. This is just the sort of information that a new diver needs to know in order to stay out of trouble.
I do wish the author had limited his scope to recreational diving, though. Perhaps a third of the case histories are concerned with technical diving, and although some of the lessons to be learned from these incidents can also apply to recreational diving, a great deal of ink had to be expended to acquaint the reader with the details of rebreather anatomy and so on. I wish these stories could have been swapped for another half-dozen accounts of incidents that occurred at recreational depths, and with the kind of gear that recreational divers are likely to use.
I do wish the author had limited his scope to recreational diving, though. Perhaps a third of the case histories are concerned with technical diving, and although some of the lessons to be learned from these incidents can also apply to recreational diving, a great deal of ink had to be expended to acquaint the reader with the details of rebreather anatomy and so on. I wish these stories could have been swapped for another half-dozen accounts of incidents that occurred at recreational depths, and with the kind of gear that recreational divers are likely to use.
December 18, 2018
Parts of this book were great: When the author went through the accidents and deaths and explained what the victims should have done to prevent them from happening. The training the should have gone through and equipment they should have had with them.
Other parts did not interest me: The half of the book giving an in-depth explanation of each part of a diving suit. The parts that explain how to dive with the different equipment. The Training for dive masters.
I will never be able to scuba dive, so the parts that were focusing on that lost my interest quickly. I will probably never read it again, and I think the author meant the book for other divers as a warning of what could happen to them if they weren't prepared.
Other parts did not interest me: The half of the book giving an in-depth explanation of each part of a diving suit. The parts that explain how to dive with the different equipment. The Training for dive masters.
I will never be able to scuba dive, so the parts that were focusing on that lost my interest quickly. I will probably never read it again, and I think the author meant the book for other divers as a warning of what could happen to them if they weren't prepared.
December 24, 2009
This is a MUST READ for all divers. Once you have the basics down (or think you do) it is easy to lose oneself in the blue and forget that you are engaged in an activity where your life literally depends on your equipment, your partner and your attention to detail.
This book may make some readers uncomfortable because it relates actual stories of dives gone wrong, some of which result in death. However, this is done to educate not to titillate. After relating the events, the author outlines what could have been done to prevent the tragedy.
This book changed the way my wife and I dive. And, as a relatively young diver - only 30+ logged dives - I am glad to have read this book early in my career. It gives me greater confidence when diving.
This book may make some readers uncomfortable because it relates actual stories of dives gone wrong, some of which result in death. However, this is done to educate not to titillate. After relating the events, the author outlines what could have been done to prevent the tragedy.
This book changed the way my wife and I dive. And, as a relatively young diver - only 30+ logged dives - I am glad to have read this book early in my career. It gives me greater confidence when diving.
October 31, 2019
A must read for all scuba divers
- Great read and love the short story approach with key take aways
- Really covered the full spectrum of diving from rec to tec, including a rebreather and a trimix story
- Really makes you hyper aware of the sort of accidents one can run into even with years and years of diving
- Highly recommend for every diver!
- Great read and love the short story approach with key take aways
- Really covered the full spectrum of diving from rec to tec, including a rebreather and a trimix story
- Really makes you hyper aware of the sort of accidents one can run into even with years and years of diving
- Highly recommend for every diver!
August 28, 2019
It’s a book I would recommend for every new diver. It contains a lot of cases why it is important to follow the rules and keep your skills up to date.
For more experienced and tech divers the book will not give a lot of new information but may serve as a reminder of what can go wrong.
For more experienced and tech divers the book will not give a lot of new information but may serve as a reminder of what can go wrong.
May 23, 2023
This could be the best diving book, you would ever read.
I thoroughly enjoyed the non-nonsense approach of Mr. Ange which combines real-life situations with detailed analysis and explanation of what and why it happened and concludes with a list of very practical advice/rules.
Initially I was thinking to recommend that the book is not for diving beginners as it could scare them away from an amazing activity. However, I have changed my mind and I would strongly encourage you to read the book even if you are just contemplating discover scuba for your next vacation. Virtually every situation in the book points at one conclusion - diving incidents happen as a result of insufficient training and experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed the non-nonsense approach of Mr. Ange which combines real-life situations with detailed analysis and explanation of what and why it happened and concludes with a list of very practical advice/rules.
Initially I was thinking to recommend that the book is not for diving beginners as it could scare them away from an amazing activity. However, I have changed my mind and I would strongly encourage you to read the book even if you are just contemplating discover scuba for your next vacation. Virtually every situation in the book points at one conclusion - diving incidents happen as a result of insufficient training and experience.
March 21, 2017
In my opinion, Diver Down is best read after you've put in few dives but while you are still in the early stages of your diving career.
It serves as a good reminder of what you learned in Open Water and Advanced and what you've picked up from diving experiences since then.
To protect the identities of divers mentioned in the book, no real names are used, and I assume situations, locations and some other details are also further adapted. Unfortunately this takes away a little of the interest. I understand the need for anonymity, but it does make the book feel very much like a student textbook.
The title of the book may initially be off-putting but the incidents, even in the cases where death is involved, are dealt with academically. So, it will not put you off diving, just better equip you to do it well!
Although a useful book, it definitely doesn't top my list of "pleasure reads."
It serves as a good reminder of what you learned in Open Water and Advanced and what you've picked up from diving experiences since then.
To protect the identities of divers mentioned in the book, no real names are used, and I assume situations, locations and some other details are also further adapted. Unfortunately this takes away a little of the interest. I understand the need for anonymity, but it does make the book feel very much like a student textbook.
The title of the book may initially be off-putting but the incidents, even in the cases where death is involved, are dealt with academically. So, it will not put you off diving, just better equip you to do it well!
Although a useful book, it definitely doesn't top my list of "pleasure reads."
September 22, 2021
This was an interesting book which focused on diving safety. It went through multiple detailed accounts of diving incidents and then debriefed each one explaining how injuries and tragedies could have been avoided. It also explained in panelled inserts the how various bits of diving kit work, how various technical diving techniques are managed and how a good understanding of properly following diving rules can make huge differences in keeping divers safe.
I was considering taking up diving and wanted to read this to get a good idea of the safety challenges I might face, especially being a disabled person. My conclusion is that I could only do this with a good experienced team set up specificaly to give disabled people diving experiences and only if and when my health is up to a certain basic standard.
I found the book generally quite sobering but also very interesting especially in it's coverage of the more technical aspects of the sport. I did wish for a little more description of the marine life on dives (which is a massive interest for me), but this wasn't really the subject of the book so I can't really complain that it wasn't there!
I was considering taking up diving and wanted to read this to get a good idea of the safety challenges I might face, especially being a disabled person. My conclusion is that I could only do this with a good experienced team set up specificaly to give disabled people diving experiences and only if and when my health is up to a certain basic standard.
I found the book generally quite sobering but also very interesting especially in it's coverage of the more technical aspects of the sport. I did wish for a little more description of the marine life on dives (which is a massive interest for me), but this wasn't really the subject of the book so I can't really complain that it wasn't there!
May 28, 2020
As a diver, I found Diver Down to be a critical part of my ongoing training. There are so many ways to die while diving that I expect all my dive partners to read this book before diving with me. I love the true stories and the explanation about how to avoid getting yourself into deadly situations. Ange explains that it usually the second mistake that kills you. I took that concept to heart, not only in diving, but also in life in general.
Review by Becky Brinkley, author of Whatever Happened to Lil' Bobby Burton?: A True Adventure
Review by Becky Brinkley, author of Whatever Happened to Lil' Bobby Burton?: A True Adventure
December 26, 2012
As a divemaster, this book was very much a 'spot the error' exercise; there wasn't really anything eye-opening about it, but it was a good reminder of all the things that can go horribly wrong nonetheless.
February 7, 2025
Was enthralled reading this book on a dive trip in Indonesia as a relatively new and thoroughly obsessed diver. It quenched my thirst to learn more whilst humbling my experience with safety and ego checks. The retellings of stories had me hooked and the explanations of errors very helpful.
Would have liked depths listed in metres over feet and pressure in bar over PSI to avoid constant reach of phone for conversion.
Felt some of the technical calculations went on a bit - for someone who never learnt dive planning - but maybe this is me not wanting to admit I have to methodically calculate this - what’s wrong with jumping in the water, swim around til they get low on air, then surfacing? The note that advanced divers a decade ago got taught this felt a bit ‘back in my day’ - I wonder if manual dive calcs and planning have evolved out due to not being needed, or if I am young and dumb.
Either way, this book has taught me how to not die doing what I love. That’s fucking powerful. Thank you Michael!
Would have liked depths listed in metres over feet and pressure in bar over PSI to avoid constant reach of phone for conversion.
Felt some of the technical calculations went on a bit - for someone who never learnt dive planning - but maybe this is me not wanting to admit I have to methodically calculate this - what’s wrong with jumping in the water, swim around til they get low on air, then surfacing? The note that advanced divers a decade ago got taught this felt a bit ‘back in my day’ - I wonder if manual dive calcs and planning have evolved out due to not being needed, or if I am young and dumb.
Either way, this book has taught me how to not die doing what I love. That’s fucking powerful. Thank you Michael!
October 1, 2018
This should be required reading in every Open Water (beginner certification) SCUBA course. I got Open Water certified with SDI five years ago, and have since picked up Rescue, Master and Solo certs, not to mention various PADI trainings around the world, and this book taught me basic essential things that were not at all or not properly or sufficiently addressed in any of my coursework.
...
If you feel super at ease in the water, you should read this book because it will make you aware of issues you never thought about and get you thinking of ways to prevent or solve those problems — before they happen.
If you are scared in the water, you should read this book because it will allow you to face your fears and think about how you will avoid and address these situations — again, before they happen — in a safe space with guidance from the author.
...
If you feel super at ease in the water, you should read this book because it will make you aware of issues you never thought about and get you thinking of ways to prevent or solve those problems — before they happen.
If you are scared in the water, you should read this book because it will allow you to face your fears and think about how you will avoid and address these situations — again, before they happen — in a safe space with guidance from the author.
September 20, 2021
I am on the last leg of my basic open water certification course offered by a NAUI instructor. I have completed the academics and the pool dives. My four open water dives are scheduled for this week. This book inculcated the information I learned during the academics portion of the course. If you are taking a basic open water certification course, I highly recommend reading this book alongside the material. It thoroughly explains the many concepts you learn throughout your training. Those who comment that the book is too detailed have obviously never tried learning how to dive. This book will encourage you to diligently watch out for your dive buddies' safety as well as your own.
January 19, 2020
I expected some compelling short scuba stories, a la "The Last Dive" or "Deep: Freediving." Out of 200 pages, roughly 100 pages of problematic scenarios (textbook written, bland and mechanical.) The other half of the book is a manual on all things diving. It's extremely detailed and likely a very good book for divers (which I am not.)
Clearly, I am not the audience for this book. It is a text book (McGraw-Hill) but the summary online didn't convey that to me when I placed it on hold at the library. If I wanted to be a diver, I'd read this to save my life.
Clearly, I am not the audience for this book. It is a text book (McGraw-Hill) but the summary online didn't convey that to me when I placed it on hold at the library. If I wanted to be a diver, I'd read this to save my life.
December 14, 2020
Essential advice for any would be or keen SCUBA diver. The author explains the relationship between breathing gases and depth (pressure) very succinctly, and offers excellent advice. Basically his constant warning is: "If there is doubt, there is no doubt!". Unfortunately, as one of the chapters is entitled, you cannot buy common sense, and there is no end to the ignorant people out there who fail to recognize the dangers of deep diving, wreck diving and cave diving!
It is however rather boring and repetitive as a story or collection of stories.
It is however rather boring and repetitive as a story or collection of stories.
November 19, 2019
Anyone interested in SCUBA diving should read this book. It’s full of real life cautionary tales that emphasize the seriousness of safety, respecting limits (both personal as well as the limits of your dive buddy, your group, your guide, your kit), respecting Mother Nature, etc. I think reading this book has encouraged me to be a more cautious diver and has helped me think about good responses to possible scenarios that might happen during dives.
October 30, 2023
Captivating reading — especialy for divers. I would recommend this to everybody who dives as a must read. I think it can be a very interesting read for non-divers as well though. The stories are easy to read and keep you turning pages. Plus there are a lot of valuable learnings. These pronciples can apply to things outside of diving as well. I wish there was a book like this for drivers as obligatory reading before issuing a driving license.
April 10, 2025
This book should be required reading for EVERY SCUBA diver, from beginning Open Water class students to expert divers with hundreds or more dives. The stories of diver deaths and injuries told in this book encompass a wide range of inexperienced newly certified divers through expert experienced technical divers. I was certified Open Water in 1995 and I learned many things by reading this book in 2025.
June 28, 2018
Diving and flying are very much alike: in both cases you are dealing with an inherently hostile environment, in which a minor mistake can turn into a fatal situation.
This book has a great collection of real-life cases, many of which are familiar to most divers, giving great insight on the issues that we should be aware of every time when we hoist bottles on our backs.
This book has a great collection of real-life cases, many of which are familiar to most divers, giving great insight on the issues that we should be aware of every time when we hoist bottles on our backs.
September 30, 2019
Common scenarios with excellent analysis and advice
"Forewarned is forearmed". This book should be mandatory reading for anyone who is serious about developing their diving skills and progressing beyond basic open water certification. The scenarios described are similar to those that are guaranteed to be encountered by anyone who dives regularly.
"Forewarned is forearmed". This book should be mandatory reading for anyone who is serious about developing their diving skills and progressing beyond basic open water certification. The scenarios described are similar to those that are guaranteed to be encountered by anyone who dives regularly.
May 14, 2024
A beyond foundational series of vivid SCUBA diving accident retellings and analyses that plumb the depths of human sympathy for the unfortunate few who have become statistics, while supplementing any level of SCUBA comprehension with background explanations of everything from standard operating procedures to pertinent physics to social norms and slang.
September 27, 2024
Interesting book for me as a beginner diver to raise awareness for safe diving procedures. Goes into too much detail about a lot of the specific diving categories which didn’t interest me as much.
Loved that the author used inclusive language switching between male and female when referring to an hypothetical diver.
Loved that the author used inclusive language switching between male and female when referring to an hypothetical diver.
February 4, 2018
Probably scared me a lot, but it’s good to know the dangers and learn from them for future dives.
September 9, 2018
All scuba divers should read this book.
November 26, 2018
Very valuable lessons for anyone who ventures into the water.
June 1, 2019
Sobering and educational. I appreciated the straightforward and laconic presentation--purple prose and belabored points would have taken away from the emotional power of the stories.
June 15, 2019
Our family all certified as open water divers this year so I read this to glen wisdom in our new adventures.
December 18, 2019
A must read for all scuba divers!
June 20, 2021
Every diver should have to read this book. Slightly scary to find out I’ve dove some of these locations without understanding all the risks.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews