SSI Divers - What do to about your dive logs?

[m00dawg]

So I've been trying to get my hands on log refills for the official SSI logbook. My LDS says SSI is making that difficult due to converting over to their SmartPhone app (which I find /very/ lacking compared to the SSI pages). While I use MacDive as my digital dive log, I still prefer keeping my primary log on paper. I ordered some replacement SSI pages from dive-logs.com, and they turned out great (if /slightly/ smaller than the official SSI pages). My only gripe is I it's a lot of data for a small page.

So now I'm thinking of just saying screw it and going to a more standard dive logbook size. I really like the tabs and things for my SSI logbook but if I can't find pages, not much sense in doing that.

So, long story short, when switching log books is it customary to copy over old dives? When diving abroad I wouldn't want to take more than 1 logbook, but I was worried about them not being able to validate my previous dives if I didn't copy them over? Am I over-complicating things?

 

[Redshift]

Have you finished all the pages? Otherwise make some copies. Or just buy different ones that fit your logbook. I have been using different models. I don't have the SSI one, so not sure what I said above works...
And as for the dives, I only have the last 100 or so with me.

 

[Damselfish]

Yes, you're over-complicating it.

Unless you have plans to turn professional or take some other class that requires a certain number or type of dives, your log is really for you - to record stuff you might find interesting or useful later like info about weights or gear, about a site, critter sightings, or whatever. I don't know if later SSI classes have some requirement that you have recorded your dives in an official SSI log - but unless that is the case, there is no reason to be wed to anything. (I'd consider a requirement for a specific brand log as a reason to run the other way, myself.)

It's been a long time since I've taken any divelog anywhere. Rare that anyone wants to see one or validate anything. They're so easy to fake anyway that there's little point aside from maybe covering themselves - when someone really wants to know if you can dive they're going to watch you put your gear together and watch you dive. Lots of people don't even keep logs after awhile, or only have electronic ones.

Certainly you wouldn't copy things from one log to the next - if anything that's more likely to make the log look fake. And what happens when you want to change again for some reason, you wouldn't try and copy all the previous dives again. When you're out of room just start a new log of whatever kind you like. If you like some variation of your SSI log, great. If you're going to travel, you may want to go with something compact, rather than a bulky binder thing that gives you angst when you think about packing it. When you're new with a low dive count, and especially if you're worried about it, just take your previous log along for now, or maybe stick the pages in an envelope. As you dive more you will probably change how you log and what you consider log-worthy over time, or you may stop logging completely.

 

[m00dawg]

Thanks for the insight folks!

Fortunately SSI doesn't require SSI specific log pages (as far as I am aware) but yes various certifications do require logging dives, one of the things about SSI I like. In order to get, say AOW, you need a certain number of logged dives that must be reviewed by a dive master as well as training classes. At least my local DM looks at the logs for stamps, buddy signatures, etc. It put me in the mindset of always keeping logs, although I can see for folks that dive very often, it's probably not nearly as important (and, arguably, the digital dive log options could make more sense).

This mess all started when I ran out of dive pages last October and wasn't able to get more that fit my logbook and I have yet to really solve the problem. Why SSI opted for such a compact format which no one else follows (save for dive-logs.com) is beyond me. I looked at dive-logs.com again and didn't realize their own 6-ring format is a mix between the standard (PADI?) dive log size and SSI's, which I think means I may be able to use that without quite so much fuss. That may be a possibility for me as a compromise. Going to a standard size really makes things easier over the long haul I think, though.

 

[Roman_66]

When my dive book is finish I just buy a new one, less expensive if possible.
I store my old books at home in case I would like to go to next course which may required minimum 100 or 500 dives...
If I do 2-3 dives in the same place in the same conditions I just use one page for it. Put 2-3 stamps and put numbers like 156-157-158.
Fewer trees will be destroyed.

 

[Redshift]

Check here https://dive-logs.com/index.jsp
They mention SSI.

 

[Curtis C]

Is the SSI log book a little binder? My old NASDS log book was a little binder. You could scan a blank page in and print them out on a laser printer. Or better yet create your own log page and use those. Upgrade the size of your binder to a standard 8.5 x11, or cut the sheets to fit. I think my NASDS binder pager were 8.5" tall and 5.5" wide. So when making the pages I was able to print the equivalent of two log pages front and back. Then I just cut them in half and hole punched them.

 

[Kharon]

Or ... Just use MS Word or some other word processing program to make a copy of the SSI page. Then you can print them in any quantity you want any time you want. Alternatively you could scan a blank one into your computer and accomplish the same thing.

 

[claymore]

My paper log is probably 4 years out of date. I down load all my dives from both computers to my electronic log books, I have 3 and use 1 mostly. I guess I am just lazy but why enter all the variable into the computer and then have to WRITE it all in the log book. I do not bring my log book with me, just one more piece of stuff to carry and pack. They get wet on the boat and trying to write in rough water is a pain.

If if I have some pertinent information from a dive I will enter it in my phone for future entry in the sog software when I down load my computer.

As far as signatures and stamps I do not think I have ever had any one ask to see those except on my 4 certification dives.

 

[boulderjohn]

I have a small binder book for my log book. It only has the last 100 dives or so. I used to buy refill pages for it, but now I just fold some blank paper, cut it to size, and punch out some holes for the binder clips. If I have a lot to say about the dive, which is rare, I can go on for as long as I want. If I don't have much to say, I can put a bunch of dives on one page easily.