SEALAB Author Ben H.
Contributor
So many great discussions going here about diving gear, physiology, psychology, safety, fitness and even smoking (and gel-filled bikini tops).
I'm struck by how a lot of the same kinds of questions were being asked by the divers (and scientists) featured in my new book, SEALAB: Americas Forgotten Quest to Live and Work on the Ocean Floor, and participants in this forum might find fascinating, if a little frightening, some of the record-breaking dives that were being made just a few decades ago during what some called a golden age for diving.
Golden, perhaps, but without the benefit of the nifty computers and other safeguards of today but no matter. These pioneers were determined to dive deeper and stay down longer than ever thought possible and set up undersea bases that were like the marine equivalent of space stations.
The U.S. Navy SEALAB program and some of the related undersea ventures covered in the book including those led by Jacques Cousteau provide a window into a historic era, a bit of perspective on diving and some lessons that are likely as valuable today as they were back then.
I'd be interested to know what forum participants think about how far things have come in the diving world since the '60s and of course I hope they'll enjoy meeting some of the characters responsible for the progress. To get a sense of the book, by the way, there are some free excerpts on Amazon and the entire opening chapter can be read on my website, SEALAB – A book by Ben Hellwarth | About a time when most eyes were on the moon. . .but not all.
Even if you read nothing more, that first chapter will at least acquaint you with Dr. George Bond, the charismatic father of SEALAB who was a great asker of questions and would have loved this forum!
I'm struck by how a lot of the same kinds of questions were being asked by the divers (and scientists) featured in my new book, SEALAB: Americas Forgotten Quest to Live and Work on the Ocean Floor, and participants in this forum might find fascinating, if a little frightening, some of the record-breaking dives that were being made just a few decades ago during what some called a golden age for diving.
Golden, perhaps, but without the benefit of the nifty computers and other safeguards of today but no matter. These pioneers were determined to dive deeper and stay down longer than ever thought possible and set up undersea bases that were like the marine equivalent of space stations.
The U.S. Navy SEALAB program and some of the related undersea ventures covered in the book including those led by Jacques Cousteau provide a window into a historic era, a bit of perspective on diving and some lessons that are likely as valuable today as they were back then.
I'd be interested to know what forum participants think about how far things have come in the diving world since the '60s and of course I hope they'll enjoy meeting some of the characters responsible for the progress. To get a sense of the book, by the way, there are some free excerpts on Amazon and the entire opening chapter can be read on my website, SEALAB – A book by Ben Hellwarth | About a time when most eyes were on the moon. . .but not all.
Even if you read nothing more, that first chapter will at least acquaint you with Dr. George Bond, the charismatic father of SEALAB who was a great asker of questions and would have loved this forum!