What makes a dive something to log?

[cuznbrad]

I'm a new diver that just got my OW earlier this month. Was wondering what exactly makes a dive or better yet, what makes the cut on something to actually log into the book. A buddy of mine is going for his MD and wants me to help him on some skills in the pool (its 12' deep). Is this something that I should even concider to log in my book? Or is it not even deep enough to count as an actual dive?

 

[wjknobles]

to quote NAUI standards "a minimum of 20 minutes to a depth of at
least 15 feet"

 

[wjknobles]

and it must be open water

 

[Walter]

I log all open water dives. No pools, no aquariums.

 

[Hank658]

PADI standards for training dives are the same as NAUI- 20 min at a minimum depth of 15 ft- in open water. Pools and aquariums do not qualify for that. Lakes and quarries do though.
As long as an open water dive meets those criteria it goes in my book.
________________
Hank Crosby
PADI #235455

 

[gregorio]

I also log some dive that don't fit the " minimum of 20 minutes to a depth of at
least 15 feet in open water" for my own record if it is interesting (rescue drills, clean up...) but I don't add it the the total number of dive.

 

[PePaw]

I log all open water dives. No pools, no aquariums.

So there you have it.
I don't think many of us would think that confined water counts.

 

[Teamcasa]

It's your log, created so you can record information you deem important. Log whatever you want but be honest with yourself.

For me, I only log ocean dives. I have never logged any lake or quarry dives, but then again, I've never dived in a lake or quarry!

 

[Cacia]

a dive that will be navigated better by logging the coordinates or topography

like diagramming the interior of a wreck, etc.

a schematic to plan wildlife encounters in current, like hiding behind a sea mound to spot schooling hammerheads, etc.

I rely on my Suunto for anything ordinary that does not require planning or logistics to optimize for the next time...

visual line-ups are good to log in case your gps fails.

 

[tedj01]

The definitions of 20 minutes, etc. are for training standards.

For a recreational diver - I would think the following 3 criteria are all thats needed:
1. Descent
2. Ascent
3. Desire to record the dive in the log book

-----------------------
If you want to record a pool dive - do it. Its your log book and your decision.
If you are in some kind of training scenario - the dive probably won't count as a dive for training.