Dive log signatures

[miketsp]

I never had a paper log. Electronic from the 1st pool session on. First 60 dives with a Citizen Hyper-aqualand watch downloaded to my PC and then I started investing in dive computers - all with PC interfaces. If I was travelling somewhere where I might be asked for a log I just printed a list of the last 100 dives on a single sheet in fine print. But I never actually had to show it.
The only time I ever printed a longer list was to get an SSI Silver Diver card to prove 300 dives. I reckon this card will get me around any experience requirement I'll ever run into and I stopped printing dive lists. Also by not showing too many dives I don't get imposed on to lead groups, something that did happen occasionally when I wrote down how many dives I really have.

 

[Edward3c]

...

Also by not showing too many dives I don't get imposed on to lead groups, something that did happen occasionally when I wrote down how many dives I really have.

I find that reminding them I'm a paying guest stops this. The one time an operator insisted I polity informed them my fee was $US1,000 per dive (they provided a guide).

 

[WarrenZ]

I find that reminding them I'm a paying guest stops this. The one time an operator insisted I polity informed them my fee was $US1,000 per dive (they provided a guide).

Im gonna have to try this next time.

 

[maj2]

I keep a log, but rarely get a buddy's signature. If a buddy wants me to sign his or her log, I will. Sometimes they sign my electronic log, sometimes not. Depends on if I have it handy and charged, or if I will be doing it later when I transfer data from my computer. Haven't used a paper log in over a decade-- the last entry in my paper log was in 2002.
I have only ever been asked for my log to verify experience in similar conditions (usually deep dives in cold water that might be under 40F). Only took one dive with a charter operator that did NOT require a log check result in someone try a dive in 38F water with full foot fins and make me fully appreciate the whole log check protocol.
Never had anyone look for entries signed by a buddy.

 

[Bratface]

I keep a paper dive log which is just a 4x6 notebook. I've only been asked to see it once or twice. I take it with me on dive trips and have my friend who owns the shop sign it and I put the shop's stamp in it. It's really more of a memory book for me now.

 

[archer1960]

I personally don't keep a paper dive log. I found that it was too much of a hassle.. I connect my dive computer to my computer and import my dives into Subsurface. I can then see a chart with the depth. tank pressure, water temperature, time, etc throughout the entire dive. Much better than a paper log where you write down how deep you were, starting/ending pressure, water temp, etc.

Since I'm still a new diver (30 dives or so), I log mine, but generally don't bother with a signature. I do my logs by printing out the page from the Suunto DM application, and stapling it into the book. That lets me get the full dive profile without having to write much.

 

[Bob DBF]

I'm on my fourth or fifth start at logging dives. Since I now have a paper backup to an electronic log may be this time I can keep it up longer. The only signatures I really like to get are Scubaboard members that sign their screen name. Since most of my dives are solo, I don't get many sigs anyway.


Bob

 

[TMHeimer]

Sure, but many of those pre-printed log book sheets sold in dive shops have a space labeled something like "Divemaster/Buddy Signature." So it seems natural that new divers continue to ask. Granted, those pre-printed sheets have all kinds of spaces that a diver might choose not to fill in. This is why I print my own. Not to head off onto a topic covered in many of those "zillion dive log threads," but I prefer a paper log book over an electronic one.

Yeah for sure. I'm (almost) always filling the DM/buddy place with "SOLO DIVE". Paper "rules". With it, I hope to reach 1K dives before I croak. And probably still nobody will look at my book(s).

 

[Djseal1]

I'm with Charles2, wish I would have kept a log book from day one. Like so many so others, I've never been asked for one, and rarely do I ever one except with open water divers finishing up their certification. I believe I ditched mine in the beginning because I didn't want to look like a newbie in front of the veteran divers. After reading everyone's comments I'm compelled to actually start a new dive log going forward. I'm planning a two-month stay down on Cozumel starting in January, the perfect place to begin. I would appreciate any recommendations on a durable well-designed dive logbook? Happy Bubbles, Dennis

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[covediver]

Having your buddy sign a lot book is a formailty and a friendly gesture, Other people like to collect stamps. It is a way of sharing the adventure after the dive is over. Over nearly 40 years of diving no one has asked to ever see my log book, much less verify the signatures in them. I think there is probably a line in the divebook for your buddies name and another for the signature.