LOG Books/ Dive Records/Computers and tables

[GDI]

:doctor:
I teach in my classes that the Log Book is a essential tool in helping divers improve themselves in their skills and knowledge. I have no problem with the use of dive computers downloading log info onto a PC any more than I do with the old fashioned writing it down technique. I believe Log books do more than just record our list of dives. They can be used as a tool for improving our skills, our breathing rates, recording equipment service intervals, medical concerns, best vacation spots, etc etc etc.
Having logged as many dives as I have, I admit that there are a few that I did not log, I wonder how many people earnestly maintain a log in one form or another.
Also how many of you just dive by the seat of your "computer" and do not use the electronic beast in conjunction with a set of dive tables, preset or generated.

Even with the few dives that I have missed to log I do log my dives quite religously and I use tables in conjunction with my computers.

your opinions and habits are welcomed- Si Vous please

 

[OneBrightGator]

I used to just fly by the seat of my computer and on trips I generally didn't have a backup or even tables for that matter. Looking back I see that not having some form of a backup is pretty dumb, especially since I carry a watch regardless and have an analog depth gauge sitting at home, so I plan to at least bring those as backups.

Also, the first computer I had (AL Matrix) held ten dives, so every couple weekends or so I'd log them. After I got my Suunto I would go months without logging them, first I'd DL them and then paper log them.

Overall, I need to improve my table-carrying and logging.

Ben

 

[simbrooks]

Ok i am a pretty new diver, and i am not one for follow rules blindly - so even though we were encouraged to log them, we werent really given more advice of what to put in the log.

Saying that, i have logged the dives i have done so far, noting beyond the basics (air, temp, viz, location, time, PG's, weight etc), the type of dive, my BRV, how i felt about it, troubles/concerns, good things that happened/improved, trip organizer/boat company, costs, rental equipment and anything else that struck me as unusual. Maybe i am still new to all this and therefore i am following the line, but i can see a use in most of these things. In the near future whilst i stay in FL, i can see how i am progressing, in BRV, weight, time nearer NDL (as well as praticing the tables each dive too - no computer, cant yet see the point in the cost - not starting an anti-computer thing :boom: ). As for the future, i can look back on these dives and see what i did, recount if needs be for a future trip back here from wherever we end up, give advice on conditions at the site if anyone asks, that kind of thing.

I wont say in the future i wont forget to log a dive, with written comment, but i will try to run the tables (if still no comp) in some form on each dive - i know, newbie hopes of ideal future!

 

[diverbrian]

when I started diving a year and half ago, I logged everything!

This last year I participated in over 100 dives. My method now is to download my VyTec or Cobra (normally my VyTec as my Cobra has several "pool dives" or "false starts" from open water classes) and put my notes in on my laptop. Then, I copy the conditions over and put "Refer to computer print-outs" (yes, I am anal enough to print out every dive) in the notes section of my dive log.

I used to figure my letters by tables until the dive computer started allowing me so much more time than the recreational tables that I carry that I "bent" the tables and had plenty of time left on the computer. That is what happens when you do a bunch of wall dives, go down to 120 ft. at the start of the dive to photograph the big fish hanging out at that depth, spend a couple of minutes there and spend another 40 minutes or so at 20-60 ft. Let's face it, the old 120 ft. dive for 35-40 minutes doesn't look good on a dive table. This happens on my planned deco dives as well, but I have different tables for those, LOL.
The thought of computer failure is why I dive with two computers of the same basic make.

Like OneBrightGator, I do need to get better about it.

 

[IndigoBlue]

Most people that I see going on scuba trips DO NOT log their dives. I did not log my dives either for the first 25 years as a diver.

For the last 5 years, I have logged dives methodically, primarily to document my instructor activities, but additionally to meet the technical instructor criteria, and also to set a good example for students.

Should divers log dives? Well, if they have goals to become instructors or technical instructors, then yes, for sure.

If all they want to do is dive for the fun of it, then I suppose that the majority of divers who do not log their dives are probably right, it does not matter much.

 

[Charlie99]

OneBrightGator once bubbled...
I used to just fly by the seat of my computer and on trips I generally didn't have a backup or even tables for that matter. Looking back I see that not having some form of a backup is pretty dumb, especially since I carry a watch regardless and have an analog depth gauge sitting at home, so I plan to at least bring those as backups.

If you are doing the sort of multilevel diving where a computer is useful, then tables + watch don't really help much after a computer failure --- most of my dives are way off the tables (unless you remember enough to reconstruct the dive on a multilevel table or something like PADI's wheel.)

It's best to do your contingency planning now and have it firmly in your mind ahead of time rather than trying to work it out on the spot between dives out on a boat.

I have a few options for continuing diving after computer failure:

1) default to Navy tables, accept that any rationale 2nd dive will have me well into deco (by the square tables, not in reality), and plan the dive to include the deco; or
2) Start myself off at pressure group Z on the PADI tables. Decide whether or not the W,X,Y,Z extended surface intervals should apply (generally not). Then plan my dive per the tables. Starting off at PG Z is not as big of a penalty as you might initially suspect -- the difference between Z and the PG R that you would be in after an NDL dive to 80' is only an additional 25 minutes of SI.
3). Call it a day and wait until tomorrow.

So are I haven't had to use any of those option in my first 300 dives.

Charlie Allen

p.s. Obviously, what is listed above are options for planning subsequent dives. The planning on how to completer or terminate a dive after failure of dive computer DURING a dive is a different subject. Once you run a few potential dives through a program like GAP, and see what a 10 minute hang at 15' (300psi for me) will do, you can readily come up with a procedure that is pretty universal, while at the same not not causing you to abruptly terminate a dive.

 

[sharkmasterbc]

I log every dive on paper and try and keep as accurate a record as possible. Over the years I have stopped writing down every LST(little stripy thing) and types of marine life I see. I now focus more on SAC rate, exp. protection, gear config, skill practice and what gasses were used when.
As for tables and comps, I do plan dives on tables or software (depending on the type of dive) and I carry 2 comps when diving as well as a timer and an analogue depth gauge for "uber" redundancy. The reason for 2 comps is when in deco my old Alladin can not do gas switching on the fly but the vytec can so I always leave the alladin on air (calculating MOD by hand keeping wetnotes). My Vytec is air int. so I also have a redundant analogue pressure gague as well.
I definitly teach my students to log every dive as it is a requirement in PADI OW course, I think by logging your dives you can learn a lot about your abilitys, improvements, mistakes etc...which if you are serious about diving is very important.

 

[simbrooks]

Just a thought, there was a previous thread about logging dives:

http://www.scubaboard.com/t27694/s.html

It was more on types of dives you log and if you log them. An interesting point brought up there was about logging aborted dives, and the general concensus was that you should (but a lot didnt), due to the learning experience of whatever went wrong. I fully agree with this, and while i havent aborted yet, i would hope to learn something from that.

Another question is, do you take your log books on the boat with you? I take my slate, have pre-planned depth and time etc, i mark down all the useful info as i go, have contingency if i go into the next depth group - in case the plan fails (trying to keep that plan dive, dive plan thing in there) for some reason, so i know how long i can stay on square profile at that depth if i didnt realise i was there for a few minutes. I understand that those who use computers have it already stored away in the battery powered filing cabinet, but i take those notes home to write up my log, rather than soaking it thru on the boat. Is that a common thing to do (if diving tables)?

 

[MechDiver]

simbrooks once bubbled...

It was more on types of dives you log and if you log them. An interesting point brought up there was about logging aborted dives, and the general concensus was that you should (but a lot didnt), due to the learning experience of whatever went wrong. I fully agree with this, and while i havent aborted yet, i would hope to learn something from that.

Another question is, do you take your log books on the boat with you?

Just because you log a dive does not mean you have to number it. If you want to log the information, for whatever reason, but don't consider it a "dive", then just don't number it.

If you take something on a boat it WILL get wet.

MD

 

[simbrooks]

MD,

i wasnt saying you had to log the number of dives, including aborted, more the info from the dive, particularly from aborted dives so you could learn from it. On that other thread it sounded like people knew they had had aborted dives, but didnt make any note of it or why they aborted - they couldnt really learn from it in the future - memory does occasionaly fail once in a while with details. Unless i got the details of that other thread wrong in my reading?

I dont take my log book on the boat, due to that very reason, and i suggested that my method was to slate everything and take a table with me to plan/check. I was wondering if people did take books on in freezer bags or something else waterproof as i didnt see anyone during or after any of my recent dives with a log book around. So i was wondering what others do with them.

Simon