disappointment in the format which did not allow them the enjoyment of browsing through the book.
Share the knowledge By 2014, and with my science projects well underway, the Diving Almanac came back to the forefront once again. As a teacher and a scientist, I believe that knowledge is meant to be shared, hence the information that I had worked so hard to compile just had to be made available. I decided to off er the book as a totally free document that every diver could download to a computer or mobile device. I now do the graphic design and layout myself, many of the photos are my own, and there are no longer any cost- prohibitive printing and shipping fees. The free book is funded solely by adverts targeting a world audience, since our readership, scope and reach are now truly international. While many people still love
the feel of holding a book in their hands, the ebook combines the best features of a print book and website,
56 Magazine
Top row: The
Diving Almanac in its current digital form
Left: With Who’s Who Stan
Waterman at
the Florida Dive Show, 2007
Above: Looking for Greenland sharks with
Who’s Who David Doubilet, 2013
such as browsing from page to page and using a search engine to instantly fi nd specifi c information. The book’s three chapters, (1) Diving Records and Aquatic Superlatives, (2) Diving History, and (3) Who’s Who, are exclusive to the Diving Almanac, i.e., you won’t fi nd most of this information in any other single publication or website, including the granddaddy of all record books, Guinness. The records chapter presently showcases over 600 feats and fi rsts by humans, machines and animals. The history chapter chronicles 6,000 years of underwater exploration, warfare and innovation, while the Who’s Who presents over 600 individual profi les from around our blue planet. All three chapters are rigorously crosschecked to ensure absolute coherence. If you are looking for the world’s deepest diver, fi sh or submersible, they’re all here.
Social media’s role Social media has dramatically increased the visibility of the new digital edition. At the current rate,
the Diving Almanac will have been downloaded 20,000 times by the end of its fi rst publishing year in January. As a result of its popularity, many readers have informed me about new record attempts and past events that have received little or no recognition elsewhere. Alas, many of these claims come short on supporting evidence. Just because you can’t fi nd a record during a Google search doesn’t mean it hasn’t already been done. In fact, lots of people would be surprised to know how many records set half a century ago aren’t available online… except in the Diving Almanac! Try to look up even the most obvious of records, such as the deepest dive by a human and you will obtain confl icting answers that are usually out of date. Making sure your record attempt is indeed novel should unquestionably be established before you solicit sponsors and make the announcement. When in doubt, consult the Diving Almanac or contact us and we will gladly establish the validity of your event or suggest variations to ensure it is indeed record-setting.
Photo: Diving Almanac, Paul Boissinot, GEERG
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