How Do You Log Dives?

[ElectroPulse]

Hello, all! Just finished my 9th dive yesterday... Definitely planning on doing a lot more in the future! Anyway, the last time I went diving was a couple of months ago... Yesterday when I got back on the boat, I dried off my hands and whipped out my dive logbook. I opened the "Waterproof" package that came with my PADI certification, along with the certainly not-waterproof divebook that came with it as well, and to my dismay found that it was STILL wet from the my last dive (again, a couple months ago). It was damp, the staples were rusted, some of the pages fell out of the book in my hands, and a bunch of my writing from my previous dives was very difficult to make out. Needless to say, I am looking into a new record-keeping system. I'm currently looking around to see if there are any completely waterproof books that wouldn't even need a waterproof pouch. Then, maybe log all dives into a computer program when I arrive home. What would you recommend? I've read that some dive shops require you to show logbooks of past dives in order to prove your experience, so would like a permanent physical copy in addition to a digital copy. Thanks! ElectroPulse

 

[Gren]

I use a basic paper dive log with minimal info (date, depth, length, site) and use macdive to keep the rest electronically. There are also several websites that offer good logging.

HugeDomains.com - MacDive.com is for Sale (Mac Dive) (mac paid)
Subsurface | An open source divelog (all free)
Diveboard: Your online scuba logbook. Track, share and explore scuba diving through community dive logs (web free)
Diviac login (this forum's divelog)

 

[pjhansman]

My log book doesn't go near the dive site.

My computer logs all the "hard data" which I download later, and I have a small waterproof notebook for any other details.

 

[uncfnp]

I keep a computer/iPad log and have yet to have any operator or instructor ask to see it. But I dive mostly Florida and the Caribbean.

 

[dfx]

I've just recently got a USB cable for my dive computer and so started using Subsurface for logging dives. I don't think I'll continue the paper log.

 

[rongoodman]

I upload my computers to my Mac from time to time, especially now that I need to accumulate some hours on the rebreather to pursue additional training, otherwise, I don't see any reason to log dives.

 

[ChickenFried]

I definitely recommend using some sort of computer program to at least keep a backup of your paper log. I myself use Subsurface and I backup the XML file that it generates to the cloud. You never know when a fire, flood, tornado, hurricane, etc. could wipe out everything you have.

 

[drbill]

My dive computers store the information as long as I'm not on an extended dive trip doing more dives than their memory can retain. I log my dives two ways... by downloading one of my computers to my desktop or laptop computer and backing that up by adding them to a digital dive log I have on my web site (for access by dive ops around the world should I forget to bring my c-card to the shop). Of course since I'm working with electronic equipment, I make sure my hands are not wet with salt water when I do this!

 

[iamrushman]

i take notes on the boat and log the dive in my log book at home...i use PADI's scubaearth to back them up. if out of town i bring the log to show the operators or refer them to the PADI site..

 

[Scubanomad]

Dive computer stores it then later download and print to pdf keep adding to a large pdf book that I keep on a SD card with my camera. If I have to show the logbook I give the SD card to open the pdf to scroll through.