Logging. Do you?

[bradlw]

Just getting back into it after a long time off but I was using paper back then and I've continued with my recent dives.

My family, who recently certified, were given paper logs for their training dives. Was talking while we were logging their first real dives last weekend about what to write. Honestly I struggled for an answer. I long ago started using an abbreviated format and generally skip most of the data points such as air temp, etc... Generally it's name of site, depth, total run time, and Buddy name(s). And I try to record my weight and exposure protection (once for the trip/weekend) for future reference, as well as the name of the boat/operator and comments about them if any.
I jot a comment about the dive but usually it's just saw a big stingray, similar generic thing. It's generally nothing too memorable. Once in a while there's a story that I can note that will trigger a memory...

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I built an Excel spreadsheet many years ago and now have over 3200 dives in it. Some dives are also on paper, or Oceanic DiveLog, or Subsurface, or Shearwater, but they are ALL in the spreadsheet.

Same here. A custom spreadsheet I developed is my log. Every dive is there. I also have my last 520 dives in Shearwater Cloud.

 

[MB NZ]

When I went electronic, I failed to transfer all my dives because it was too hard and then gave up logging anything beyond date and location. That is a big regret.

 

[Kimela]

I log every dive - but in an app. It’s helpful to remember what I wore for thermal protection as well as what the temp was during specific seasons when diving the same location.

 

[mrtechbench]

Just getting back into it after a long time off but I was using paper back then and I've continued with my recent dives.

My family, who recently certified, were given paper logs for their training dives. Was talking while we were logging their first real dives last weekend about what to write. Honestly I struggled for an answer. I long ago started using an abbreviated format and generally skip most of the data points such as air temp, etc... Generally it's name of site, depth, total run time, and Buddy name(s). And I try to record my weight and exposure protection (once for the trip/weekend) for future reference, as well as the name of the boat/operator and comments about them if any.
I jot a comment about the dive but usually it's just saw a big stingray, similar generic thing. It's generally nothing too memorable. Once in a while there's a story that I can note that will trigger a memory...

Thanks I'm going to start logging the name of the boat and comments about crew too. I have most of my dives but missing about 100. Really wish I took better notes. Some were borderline useless scribbled info ( maybe just %o2 and pressure, time without date, start/turn/end pressure with nothing else, etc.) on random pieces of paper expecting I would go back and clearly log them later. I wish I logged my dives instead of doing whatever I did with the time instead.

 

[MB NZ]

wish I logged my dives instead of doing whatever I did with the time instead.

Me too as per my post above. However, I was diving so much at the time, it almost seemed like a normal daily activity and not a big deal. Logging was so much hassle

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

To answer the OP's question.....I don't log dives and never did.... personal choice. But I did go on a private Catamaran trip to the BVI's a couple years ago that included diving and the operator stated that they required proof of a minimum of 200 logged dives.....and at least one dive in the last 6 months. So I used one of the many available spreadsheets and logged about 250 + dives.....to the best of my memory, which sucks. Took about 30 minutes with lot's of repeats with the date changed. Got there...showed my cert card and they never even asked for the "proof" of logged dives. Oh well. At least I have some logged dives and can update if needed..

 

[Chrisk919]

I originally had paper logs, but not waterproof/wet notes, so transferred those to Excel after those logs got wet and fell apart.

When I started back diving again I found Subsurface - since I had a computer and a Mac - and imported those excel dives into Subsurface as well as the new dives.

It’s actually nice to go back and read some of the logs, both old and new as I take basic notes at time of dive but also add additional commentary when I finally log the day/weekend etc.

 

[icyz_]

I originally use the PADI dive log app due to dive shop telling me to do so. Then i moved to subsurface but the connection kind of hit or miss for my shearwater peregrine. Now i just log on my own app that i made so it's not vendor locked.

I've been thinking of paper logging but my handwriting is just too bad. I guess whatever is best for you, excel is also best.

 

[Searcaigh]

I started with paper logs when I moved to PADI in 1991 and continue to this day with a customised page that includes my photography setups and things that are important to me.

I did attempt to use Suunto software roundabout late 90s early 2000s but uploading from the computers back then was a PITA.

I have been logging electronically with Shearwater since 2014 and recently had some issues with that, which is resolved, but totally justifying my current practice of paper logs, now at dive 2557.