Think I posted something on SB a few years ago about the use of technology available in dive ops for rating the op after a dive (immediate feedback), and think it could be a partial solution for logging dives, as well, so the "logbook" is readily available if needed.
A diving organization, such as PADI, has a record of everyone who has been certified. Even early divers who have no certification number have their name in the books (supposedly.) Based on what I learned in Hawaii, a dive shop can access your certification number, but they have to call PADI if the c-card only has a name and no number. If a diver goes out with a dive op, the op should be able to access the diving organizations site, create a list of divers going out on a dive(s), allow them to enter pertinent dive information, and then electronically sign off, with the DM/instructor's cert. number, on the completed dive(s). This would be the only type of access the dive op has. A diver would also have access to their personal electronic logbook.
There are flaws in this, such as the many divers who go out on their own would not be able to add to the logbook OR maybe there would be a feature that allows that. This would allow a diver to add the previous 3,942 dives they did before the electronic logbook....lol! Every diving organization, PADI, SSI, SDI/TDI, NAUI, etc..., should have computer systems capable of this.
I know the thread is a little passed your original question but I used the program Diving Log.
Also have been using DiveLog DT on Macbook and DiveLog on iPhone for several years as bluetooth allows for copying dives from one to the other with the same features as Hemrick's, I have a ready logbook (not "certified, just logged but with the dive computer profile) with me all of the time.
