Dive log requirements - what's necessary to show?

[ls1dreams]

Hi all,

I'm relatively new to dive. Did the 4 open water dives, and then 13 more or so on a recent liveaboard+a few fun dives.

However, on the recent liveaboard, I don't have all the details on the dives I did.

I didn't think this would be a big deal, but then realized that some future diving may require proof of dives.

When other dive operators need you to show a minimum # or recent dive log, what do they expect? Is a little hand-written note enough?

 

[tbone1004]

it depends on the dive op.
Typically on the logs you want the following for minimum info which is probably what the dive ops want to see
date
total dive time
max depth
location

ideally you want the following on top of that
water temp
exposure suit and equipment worn
lead weight worn *these three are good records for when you go back to that location or a similar location
how you felt on that dive and why
what you saw
what the dive goals were and if they were achieved
gas breathed *air or nitrox, if nitrox which %
how much gas you used

I used to keep a running excel file which also had my average depth since my computer reported it back for me and then used that against the gas consumption to track my SAC rate for dive planning. Was pretty simple and kept a tab on my total dive time and total number of dives. I now use a Petrel and Shearwater Desktop which does all of that for me

 

[Centrals]

Some dive operators will sell you fancy log book at inflated price.
I just use plain student exercise book.
Make sure you get the dive operator to stamp the log book after the dive. And if you are doing a course then get the instructor counter sign as well.

 

[TMHeimer]

You'll get a hundred different points of advice on any "dive log" thread. No one's EVER even looked at mine. But I have heard that, as mentioned above, what a dive op requires varies. My advice is use a simple dive log book (or do the computer print out thing) and fill out whatever the log sheet asks for. Add whatever you wish for your own benefit. I don't think you could ever go wrong doing this. Oh, one biggee I think is a charter boat may want to know when your LAST dive was--ie. last week or last year. I have heard of and experienced that one myself.

 

[Spudlet]

I just jot my dive down on my Logbook site and export it to Ebook Reader which is on my phone, too easy as my C Cards etc on there also, one shop stop

 

[KeithG]

i have never been asked for a logbook.

we do routinely get asked when was our last dive and how many dives have you done.

 

[RainPilot]

Fill in what you can of the dives you did, if unsure of details then undershoot time and depth. If you want to become a dive professional later you'll be glad you have all your dives logged in at least some form.

 

[Diving Dubai]

Somewhat OT

I was having a beer with a dive Pro a while ago, the conversation had gone the way of dive stories, and he pulled out a bunch of well worn and dog eared log books. Each page had a stamp and leafing through you could see a history with pages evoking memories and triggering stories, often about dive centres and people no longer with us

Ito my regret I moved to electronic logs as soon as I got my first computer (mac Dive for me) Scrolling down an endless table of date, while quick and easily transportable (links to my tablet and phone) is kind of souless.

I still have photo albums from when we took films to get developed. I'm more likely to pick one of these up and turn the pages reliving the memories than I am sitting at my computer or scrolling though thousands of images on my portable devices.

So +1 for the convenience of electronic logging (with the info posted above by others), but (if I were to do it again) I'd still keep paper log of the basics, the signatures and the stamps, just as something to look back on in the future....

 

[oldschoolto]

Hate to log... No matter what sport I'm doing... So I just don't do it...

Jim....

 

[Goingforsound]

I double log... paper when travelling, and then i upload my dc data on macdive and fill the log.