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Depth Blog

The most useful snippets from our authors, all in one place. DEPTH discusses topics of diving, equipment and environment, physics and physiology, technique and technology, and hyperbarics.

An Unexpected Odyssey
Eric vanBok
Eric P. Kindwall, MD
We had entered a dense fog bank! I had a rather helpless feeling, as a boy of 18, guiding 2,300 tons of steel into the unknown at ten knots, with no way of notifying anyone. Fortunately after a few minutes, which seemed like an eternity, the mate returned to the bridge. Flipping on the radar on the port side of the wheelhouse, he remarked, "Looks like we've got a bit of thick weather." He stepped out on the bridge wing and blew his police whistle to alert Kalle Holm, my watch partner. Kalle immediately stuck his head over the top of the bridge ladder and was ordered to the bow to stand lookout.  When the radar had warmed up, the mate said, "Looks like we've got another ship out there. Give her five degrees starboard." I heard the ship's bell strike three times . . . It was the other ship's bow lookout and we were directly in his path! I saw a huge bow as high as our wheelhouse loom out of the fog!" The above is just one of the hair-raising experiences described by Dr. Kindwall as he writes of his time in the merchant marines, and via Yale and Harvard, running a safe-house for the CIA, submarine school, patrol on an early Polaris nuclear submarine, and work with "sandhogs" in compressed air tunnel construction.  Find more details here about the book, "Unexpected Odyssey, From Merchant Sailor to Hyperbaric Physician" by Eric P. Kindwall, MD  
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What can be used to disinfect acrylic chambers?
Eric vanBok
Hyperbaric Facility Safety
In many hospitals that treat hyperbaric patients, the task at hand is getting the infection control policy makers to understand that many of the hospital-based disinfectants cannot safely be used on the acrylics of both multiplace and monoplace chambers. The most-asked question is, “What can now be used to disinfect acrylic chambers?” Wit
Gas Gangrene: Antiobiotics vs. HBO2
Eric vanBok
Hyperbaric Medicine
Although the incidence of clostridial myonecrosis infections has dropped precipitously in recent decades, it always remins a threat in injuries where contamination and severe tissue disruption have occurred. The decreased incidence of clostridial myonecrosis is attributed to the increased diligence of clinicians in preventing clostridial organ
Clinical Presentation of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Eric vanBok
Hyperbaric Medicine
Carbon monoxide exposed patients commonly present with nonspecific symptoms that mimic influenza-like illnesses (Table 1). Symptoms typically include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomting, weakness, and fatigue. The most common symptom reports is headache. Because these symptoms are so nonspecific, the treating physician must retain a high level of
Dr. Michael Strauss Receives Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award
Eric vanBok
Breaking News
Dr. Michael Strauss received the inaugural Best Publishing Company Lifetime Achievement Award on Thursday, June 28, 2018. The award was presented during the UHMS Annual Scientific Meeting in Orlando, Florida. The Best Publishing Company Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes and promotes individuals who have made significant career contributions to
Your Complimentary Copy of the UHMS Pressure Newsletter - 2018 First Quarter Issue
Eric vanBok
Hyperbaric Medicine
  Our friends and colleagues at the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) invite you to enjoy a complimentary copy of Pressure, the Society's bimonthly newsletter. The newsletter will give you a glimpse into UHMS membership benefits. So, if you've been curious about what it means to be a UHMS member, this issue of Pressure&n
[Videos] Penguins in Antarctica
Dan Orr
BPC Kids
Dan Orr, author of Scuba Diving Safety, recently returned from a trip to Antarctica. He shared these two videos for BestKids Club members to enjoy.   Video 1: In this video, baby Gentoos are learning how to swim in a small pool of slush on a glacier. Video courtesy of Dan Orr. Location: Antarctica. Video 2: In this video, a mother Ge
DEMA Show 2017 - Booth #2438
Eric vanBok
Upcoming Events
  Why visit the Best Publishing Company Booth #2438 at DEMA Show in Orlando, FL, on November 1-4? Daily booth appearances and book signings with the industry's leading authors and experts.Lowest prices of the year - show-only discounts!Author seminars on Wednesday (see below for more details) AUTHOR BOOK SIGNING SCHEDULE Wednesday November 1 1
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Upcoming Events Fall 2017
Eric vanBok
Upcoming Events
  Join Best Publishing Company at these upcoming events this Fall! Get your copy of Best's new releases and show-only discounts on select titles.  Hyperbaric Medicine events are in Green. Diving related events are in Blue.    August 25-26, 2017: UHMS Gulf Coast Chapter Meeting Location: Hilton Clearwater Beach in Clearwater Flor
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Spending Time with Mary Higgins Clark
Eric vanBok
Alese Pechter
Recently Alese Pechter, author of Skyward Bound attended the BookExpo in New York City, NY. BookExpo is the largest trade book show in the USA. She was promoting her recently released children's book, Skyward Bound. While at the show, Alese had the good fortune of meeting and spending time with world famous author Mary Higgins Clark