Ineligible log entries

[kelemvor]

I've never had someone ask for my logs. Not an instructor, not a boat operator, nobody. I kept them in a paper book for the first 25 or so. Then I switched to using subsurface.

The only continuing education classes I've undertaken have been nitrox (no dive prerequisite) naui aow (25 dive prerequisite) and nase cave. I don't recall if there was a dive number pre-requisite but I talked to the instructor many times prior to undertaking the class and we probably covered it but I just forgot. I did switch to sidemount for cave and he wanted me to have at least 25 dives in the sidemount rig before we started.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I keep a traditional paper log to log my treasured dives, mostly because I find it fun. I guess I started doing it that way because that's how we were shown to do it in OW class, but it was a natural fit with my love of paper and books. I'd gladly use parchment paper with calligraphy and a wax seal. Unfortunately, no one has ever asked to see my log book, including for courses for which there was some prerequisite number of dives. How dare they take my word for it when I have gone to such trouble!

 

[Clark Fletcher]

My diving instructor wanted me to, as a minimum, fill out the paper log early on.

He wanted me to do this for two reasons. First, he just wanted to spot check me to make sure that I was filling out my logs correctly (which I wasn't). Second, he wanted to make sure that the documentation for my Open Water training shown in the front of my logbook (classroom, quizzes, exams, pool work, open water dives) matched the records that he sent in to PADI from my certification. The reason for that is that if something happened to me while I was diving (due to me doing something different than what I was trained) and my family decided to sue, if the documentation in my logbook had required skills that were missing or my documentation was different from what he sent in to PADI, then he could potentially be held liable. So, I can certainly understand his position. All that being said, since I've completed my OW certification, he has not asked to see my logbook again. But, I'm guessing he will want to sign my book as I complete my Adventure dives toward my AOW cert.

Anyway, I do keep both a paper copy AND an electronic copy of my logbook. And, I'll probably continue to do so for the short-term. For me personally, it's much easier to sit down with a paper copy of my log (while sitting on shore or on the boat) and document my dive buddies' names and certification numbers and jot down notes about the dive that I'll later transfer to my electronic log. I have a terrible memory so, it helps me keep track of things I might otherwise forget when I get around to updating my electronic log. This may not be a big deal if you're diving with the same person or same people all the time. But, if you dive with new people or a lot of different people, it's not feasible to drag your laptop or tablet on a dive boat with you. Plus, I think it's kind of cool to have stamps from different dive shops and charters. I know this is probably just a noobie phase I'm going through and may not continue it for long.

Just thought I'd share a novice's perspective. Hope this helps.

 

[Hoag]

A couple years ago, as my last paper logbook was filling up, I went to the LDS to pick up another before a trip. I saw the price and realized that this would be a good time to switch to digital. I got an iPad app (Dive Log) for about the same price as a paper logbook and haven't looked back.

If anyone felt that they needed to see a hardcopy for any reason, I would be unable to show it to them.

The one place that I have been asked to show my logbook (and they do accept a digital log) is on the Aquacat liveaboard. They use it (and note both your last dive and number of dives) for a number of reasons, including if someone hits a "milestone" dive, they are presented with a certificate of that milestone during a good natured "awards ceremony" the last night of the trip. (I guess its their version of a "Participation Trophy".)

 

[stuartv]

I took Solo from an instructor and shop that I had not done any prior training with. But, I go there all the time for fills. Before agreeing to have me as a student, the instructor did ask "you have over 100 dives, right?" I said yes and that was that. No logbook review.

The dive ops I've been out with have most often asked how many dives in the last 12 months. They've never looked at my log, though. They do look at C cards, but it seems to be just to make sure I have one, not so much what it is. They say they require Advanced, but I have presented my original OW card and nobody batted an eye. And they do (mostly) check my Nitrox card before giving me fills.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Have you ever had a dive you considered logged refused as ineligible by an instructor you looked to learn under?

I had one prospective instructor tell me he only accepted dives recorded in paper logs, signed by a DM or higher, and stamped by a dive shop. He kept a photo copy for liability reasons to prove he had taught a student who met the prerequisites of the course.

I'd say choose a different instructor ... one who was capable of evaluating students without having to resort to what amounts to a personal choice. Paper logs? How 20th century. Stamped by a dive shop? What about people who shore dive, independent of dive shops? Photo copy? Hasn't he ever heard of digital photos downloaded onto a computer? Why would you consider taking lessons from a dinosaur? What's next ... insisting that you leave your dive computer on shore and plan your dives using tables?

Ridiculous ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Aviyes]

My first questions would of been, how he was planning to verify the dive shop and DM were legitimate? and was he going to do that for every dive in the logbook? Otherwise whats the point?

 

[maj2]

I would guess that maybe only 1% or less of my non-training dives could even be signed by DM or higher... Locally, DMs are mostly involved with assisting with instruction. Dive guides do not need to be DMs or instructors... just someone familiar with the dive site.
My non-training dives involving a DM are almost exclusively vacation dives. Even then, the DM is simply functioning as a guide. And on those dives, my actual dive buddy is recorded. Not the DM.
For local dives where my buddy was a DM or higher, there was no professional relationship involved. I was diving with them as friends, and nothing else.
And no shop is ever going to apply a stamp to my phone/iPad/laptop (all sync'ed).

 

[Diver0001]

Well, here's another thread about logging for continuing education purposes.

Have you ever had a dive you considered logged refused as ineligible by an instructor you looked to learn under?

I had one prospective instructor tell me he only accepted dives recorded in paper logs, signed by a DM or higher, and stamped by a dive shop. He kept a photo copy for liability reasons to prove he had taught a student who met the prerequisites of the course.

The only time I needed to show someone my logbook for a course was when I became a PADI instructor. I didn't show the CD my whole logbook, just the last couple of years worth. He didn't ask to see the rest of it because I would have asked to see his xD

R..

 

[Scott]

Didn't PADI want proof of dives for an instructor rating? I can't remember if it was for Tec Deep, at the time, or Self Reliant.