Dive Log: traditional or electronic?

[Fr8dawg]

As soon as I get my dive computer, I will be using Macdive exclusively. I am a pilot and have switched that logbook over to electronic as well. Trying to keep a paper logbook correct and current is a real headache after a few thousand flight hours and/or a few thousand dives! Since I am a professional pilot and my logbook is very important for my career, I keep several backups of the data (External hard drive, iPad, iphone, and an online backup). Its pretty much impossible to loose the data.

Its 2012, Any instructor or dive operator that wont accept an electronic logbook has got to be joking! Besides, its just recreational diving, do what makes sense for you.

 

[farsidefan1]

I take my one of the paper logbooks with me to divesites so I can write down the name of the divesite and any special things I saw. They are easy to carry. When I get home I download the dives onto my computer and add the notes. That way I can see my sac rate depth, time, temp etc. which my computer calculates for me. As to proving you can dive - just take your card. On my padi card it shows AOW, Nitrox, Wreck. I've never been asked to provide the log book to dive anywhere. To take classes I defer to our merry band of instructors .

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I take my one of the paper logbooks with me to divesites so I can write down the name of the divesite and any special things I saw. They are easy to carry. When I get home I download the dives onto my computer and add the notes. That way I can see my sac rate depth, time, temp etc. which my computer calculates for me. As to proving you can dive - just take your card. On my padi card it shows AOW, Nitrox, Wreck. I've never been asked to provide the log book to dive anywhere. To take classes I defer to our merry band of instructors .

Rather than making on-site, handwritten dive notes in a paper logbook, I call up my "special" GoogleVoice number (created specifically for voice transcriptions) and leave a voice mail message. When I get home, I can cut-and-paste the transcription into my electronic divelog (with a few corrections, I'll admit). You should try it out.

If I'm diving out-of-country and don't have access to a "free" call to my GoogleVoice number, I'll just type up a few notes on my iPhone and then integrate them later into the electronic divelog when the profiles are downloaded from the dive computer.