Divers Log Book

[Dutchman]

I wonder if anyone ever signs their buddies log book. I hear some dive masters will ask to see the log book. If not signed, they will have you do a refresher course. I use a computer and down load from time to time. I seldom carry a log book with me on a dive. How do you log your dives? :dazzler1:

 

[almitywife]

Ive been with a dive group at Fish Rock (australia). One of us (a instructor) was knocked back because his log book wasnt up to date, and he had thousands of dives up.

before i take a trip, hubby and i always make sure our books are up to date just in case... just did it last month and had to catch up on 12 months worth.

 

[Knight1989]

I got bad myself with logging all of my dives. When I started actually working as a divemaster I stopped logging any dives I did while working, only logging my recreational dives. Plus none of my dives, either training or real with my rescue team have ever been logged in my log book, so according to my log book, I havent dove at all in about 2 years. I need to start logging since I want to pursue instructor soon.

I have a question myself though, for the guys that solo dive, how do you go about logging those?

 

[RICHinNC]

The reality is as indicated.....some places care less about your dive book...because they are so easily forged....

Some places ask for cards and dive books or you dont dive.

If you ever plan on being anything other than a casual diver it is normally recommended that you keep your dive book up to date.

JMHO
rich

 

[Paco]

Solo dives: I log them for my own record and don't care if they don't count for some people.

I was religeous about logging my dives and getting signatures until I had DM and a couple hundred dives. I still log all my dives, except some of the shorter training dives, and usually get signatures, but if we forget and I don't have my log book with me, I still log the dive without the signature. I consider my log more for me than for someone else, but still maintain enough to be allowed to dive should I be on a trip that required seeing my book.

 

[crpntr133]

Right now I log all my dives but I have just over 30. Doing this is more for the info, weight adjustment and attitude in the water, etc, more than anything. Once I get all that down I will probably do the first couple at a new dive sight and special dives. Once I hit 100 I don't plan on logging much of anything.

BTW, this has been discussed several times.

 

[Dutchman]

So are you using a computer to track your data and then hand writing the information int a log book. Otherwise, printing your computer log and putting it in a log book you carry with you.

 

[wet]

Many dive compuers will let you transfer your data to your PC which, when printed out, should be more proof than a buddies signature (of course someone can loan their computer out or buy a used one...)

I like logging my dives by hand, though, once I get home. I always dive with the same group of guys so next time we get together we trade off signatures.

You definately want to log them if you are going to an IDC, though...

 

[Damselfish]

My log is mostly for me so I remember sites I've been to while traveling. I only put very basic dive info and anything really noteworthy about a dive, if there was. For a trip I also jot down general things like the dive op, cabin or room numbers (where we stayed or maybe the nicer looking one I want to ask for next time) or even restaurants that I might like to remember when returning to a place. Sometimes a note when I changed the computers in my battery or other maintenance things, as I'm always trying to remember that. I find that non-standard stuff more useful than the usual. Early on I recorded stuff like weight, when I was still sorting things like that out and tended to forget in between so that was helpful.

I've never had anyone ask for a log, as mentioned people could make these up anyway, but I'm sure someone out there does. Also haven't had anyone sign it in ages, only the first couple dozen dives, or dives part of a course. But it's really quick to log the basics so you have something, even if it's just noting the location with time and max depth from your computer. May as well. Beyond that I'd log what's useful for you, not get writers cramp filling out all the slots in a standard logbook just because they're there. I made my own log as any I saw had lots of space for stuff I didn't care about and none for stuff I did. Many people do that and have posted samples on this board.

 

[Azza]

I have to admit I am pretty slack about logging my dives. I was good right up untill I hit 200 and then decided I didnt need to log them anymore.
I did log working dives I did as a Divemaster so that I would have a record of who what when and why if I ever needed to know but alas didnt log my recreational dives.
I have recently started logging recreational dives again as I would love to know how many actual dives I have done sometime down the track.

I have heard that the Aussie Great Barrier Reef Dive Nazi's are quite particular about log books and c cards. A mate of mine did his advanced course on a livaboard on the GBR and it included 5 extra dives after the course. They were told what their plan was to dive and that was that, no deviations or they would have been on the next boat home. Sheesh so much for encouraging divers to think for themselves...
<edit>I forgot to add, the only dives that have been signed are training dives from the early days. The last couple of hundred dives have no signatures... Does that mean my log book is up to date? Who knows