Log books mandatory?

[Starcruiser]

I've been asked twice on boat charters to show my log. Once, he was nice enough to let me go until I got it from my hotel room that night, with the condition that if I didn't show with it, no dive the next day. Now I make it a habit to have it and my c card ready for inspection. Good thought on using the log on my dive computer, though, I never thought of that.

 

[jc63_]

I have my logs and my c-cards in a 'personal planner' type folder, makes it easy to keep track of, and it holds extra pens/o-rings in a ziplock compartment.

 

[redacted]

While I do maintain a log book, I don't remember the last time an op has asked to see it. It is over a pound of crap I don't need to pack. I'd make sure the op does not require it and, if it did, I'd go looking for an alternative op. It would be just as easy for me to fabricate a dive log than to lie about the date of my last dive. If the $$ has feet, they may change their tune.

 

[captain]

When I show my 1970 dog eared paper laminated YMCA card all they say is, haven't seen one of those lately. Never been asked to show a log book, have been asked when was my last dive.
My log is more of a journal in a regular old note book with all sorts of entries from dives to GPS and LORAN numbers, boating info, site discriptions, equipment, drawings of ranges, compass headings, etc.

 

[Couv]

I started diving in 1973 and I’ve never been asked to show my dive log.

After I first got certified I was pretty good about keeping a log. Then, I just stopped for some reason…..too bad. I started keeping one again after reading through my old long forgotten beat up memories. Looking back on it, I wish I had logged every dive. If I had a better memory, perhaps I would not regret failing to document my dives, but unfortunately that's not the case.

When I look through those old logs some of those clouds disappear.

c

 

[Tigerman]

It varies widely. I've been on boats that never even asked to see a cert card. I've been asked "how recently did you dive?" but not asked to show "proof." And I know at least one Red Sea dive operation asks to see recently logged dives in a divelog or else requires you to do a "checkout" dive
...

I know a few of the ops WILL take you on a local "checkout dive" REGARDLESS of when you last dived and wether or not you have been diving with them before and regardless of cert level.
The upside to this is of course that they get some idea of who they bring to the national parks and of course also that if youre an experienced diver but dont have a dive log they can see for themselves that you actually can dive..
Other than being a bit crowded, a lot of "local sites" in the Red Sea is very worthwhile dives as well.

 

[CamG]

Greetings Paladin954 and it is not a mandatory requirement but a strong suggestion.
As others have pointed out it acts as a reference to the type of dives and specific weights and temps of those.
Dive ops will usually allow a check out dive just to verify your skills if dives are more advanced in nature.
Instructors taking on new students for advanced dive training will want to see some experience both in log book and in the water!

Personally my log book acts more like a journal with facts on it. Some entries are very detailed and others just simple facts. It is however good to review and see the progression from year to year.
Your choice my friend unless your fear the dive police but it is possible you were diving before they were born! I am not slamming you because I have a great friend who was diving before certification card were around. He has done more and been everywhere and still eager to learn! Inspiration to many!
Good luck and dive on!
CamG Keep Diving....Keep Training....Keep Learning!

 

[DennisS]

Showing your log book is "proof" that you are an active diver and the types of dives you have been doing. It is not unreasonable. They don't know you. I didn't log dives for many years and thought it was no big deal. A couple of years ago when I decided I want to take more advanced training, I didn't have the logs to prove me experience.

A log book is proof you can fill out a log book. Anyone can fudge a log book. If you haven't logged dives over the years you can guestimate a log book if you need to prove the dives.

 

[SolarStorm]

I am actually surprised how many people will forge a log book, or think that the act of forgery is trivial. I know if I was a dive op, and an accident did happen, I would have a strong case that I am not responsible as the diver in question forged his credentials. I view my dive log the same way I view my pilots and airplanes log. They can contain invaluable information, provide a documented proof, especially when I get the dive op or buddy to sign my book. Along with simple information, I can add all kinds of notes about equipment, conditions, even the buddy I was with just incase I meet up with them somewhere else. Due to my age and failing memory , I rely on this sort of information. Not mention I believe it is actually illeagal...

 

[Doc]

I'm with Captain and Couv on this... never been asked for a log book at a dive op.

Throw down your 1965 C-Card, smile, drag out your raggedy ass gear and get on the boat.

Log books... where did they come from? It was more a record of what you had done to get bent that bad, so the Dr. could noodle out how long he wanted to throw you into the chamber. This was stressed as being very important in the early days of sport diving- it helped evolve the US Navy Dive Tables for civilian application use.

Now, the main use for a log book is to recall weight/wetsuit/temperature combinations until you get them straight in your mind. Other than that, log books are excellent for starting threads on ScubaBoard.