Linda,

With all due respect, I don't see how my post was insulting to anyone. If it was perceived that way, then I apologize. It was certainly not my intent. Mel and Curt have obviously worked very long, tireless hours and put a lot of effort in providing these publications and other product to the rebreather community and I don't wish to diminish their contributions in any way.

This is my personal opinion. Mel's new book is targeted to those with no prior cave diving experience, so I personally did not find anything in it that would significantly further my education on the subject. The ads just made it that much less desirable of a purchase (for me). Others may have a different opinion on that.

As far as being critical, I challenge anyone to click on my alias and on "Find More Posts by Serge" to find all those posts where I am soooooo critical. In fact, I always strive to be supportive, informative, and funny. And I know, I'm not perfect. If I am critical at times, then I try to be constructive whenever possible. Constructive criticism can be a very powerful tool if you know how to receive and apply it. If we painted a rosy picture about every product that enters the market, then it would be a lump-sided disservice to the whole community and the manufacturers would be unaware of any opportunities to improve. And what could be worse than that? So, I respectfully stand by my previous statements.

Thank you very little for the red blob, and calling me a name. But that's OK; I came home today after a long day at work, and my 1-year-old daughter gave me a hug. And what can be better than that?

Best regards,
Serge

...Now, on to something more important than this, how come there are no pictures of your little girl for all of us to see?

Mel, get ready for your future student:

I got it, I got it !! Today my copy of Mel's new Cave book hit my desk

Been reading it all day, and my first impressions are:

1. great photo of Mel in civilian attire on inside cover (no dry suit or CCR)
2. Some absolutely Kick ass photos in the manual
3. Fantastic illustration and "procedures in action" type photo's -- tying into lines, different ways to tie in, mixed team gas procedures, configuration requirements, etc, etc, etc.
4. Content is outstanding and goes from a 40 thousand foot "intro" type feel to very specific and more advanced material about the execution of procedures in adverse situations, etc.. -- in great detail..
5. IN depth chapter regarding dive planning - from thirds to "scrubber turn point", penetration limits on CCR, etc, etc..
6. And of course one of the most important chapters -- Psychology and Survival -- is tastefully written with the seriousness the topic demands..

Disclaimer - I am not a student of Mel's (yet). I don't work for silent scuba either. I am full trimix but have never been in a cave. Mel's book takes a New-Bee like me from not knowing which way to point an arrow, to full procedures and advanced dive configurations- In an incredibly simple way to understand..

It is a plethora of information that normally is contained in several volumes of other dive manuals (in my experience with dive manuals). It provides the best way (that I have read to this point) to to start down the education and training towards the "Cave Path" of diving.. I am really charged up about the caves in a big way after reading this manual...

Very, very well done Mel !!!!!!

John Mankat

I seriously considered buying this book at the show. But having looked at it, there isn't anything strikingly new in there content-wise. Lots of pretty pictures for people who don't like to read. The biggest disappointment to me were the ads. To be honest, the price is a little steep considering the book is probably already paid for by the advertisers, I don't feel that I should pay for looking at the ads. So, I put the book back down and walked away.

I would like to change the title into:
Diving a CCR in an overhead environment for dummies.

More experienced divers don't read much new, novice divers (CCR/Cave) can learn a lot from this book.

Just one suggestion: put a free ad for RBW on one of the empty ad spaces.
Boebe

CCR Cave is aimed at the new cave diver. any OC cave diver moving to CCR cave will find some useful information, but the book is really geared to the new cave diver.