Which log book should I use?

[bertschb]

I was certified in 1978 but have never used a dive log book before. I want to start now but I don't know which one to get. LP has several of them. Any recommendations?

Also, do overseas dive operators require log books to prove experience?

Thanks
Brian

 

[DeepTechScuba]

My own personal preference in logbooks is one that is about the same size as my passport. You can also get waterproof pouches that will hold both your passport and dive log. That way you can bring your passport with you at all times and keep it dry, together with your logbook.

 

[bertschb]

Any recommendation as to brand as far as the log book is concerned?

I'm going on my first cruise this winter to Cozumel, GC, Belize. Do I need to carry my passport with me on my dive excursions or do I just keep it in my room on the ship?

 

[scubasean]

bertschb once bubbled...
Any recommendation as to brand as far as the log book is concerned?

I'm going on my first cruise this winter to Cozumel, GC, Belize. Do I need to carry my passport with me on my dive excursions or do I just keep it in my room on the ship?

Do you use a computer? I do, (a suunto Vyper) and use their dive manager software for my logbook. If I think I'll need a record for a trip, I print out the pages and put em in a binder.

I have no clue about the passport question.

Sean

 

[itziar]

Hi,

I have only limited experience (35 dives), but I have been diving in several countries, so maybe I can contribute here. I have been requested to show my logbook with operators in Mexico and Greece for dives in the 60 to 90ft range, and I have not been requested to show it in Italy and USA for dives at ~70ft. My logbook is home made, and has so far been accepted by all shops without reservations. I always get the diveshop stamp when I go with an organized group.

As for the passport, if you are planning to go to land, my understanding is that you are requested to have some official identification at all times here in Mexico. I normally do not go around with my passport though, but I always have a photocopy of my passport with me, and keep the original in a safe place in the hotel room. You will need the real thing if you go to the bank or for any official business.

I hope that helps.

Itziar

 

[bertschb]

Thanks

That does help. When I started diving in the 70's nobody I dove with ever mentioned a log book. I stopped diving in the mid-80's. Fast forward to current time when I'm getting back into diving and now, not only are folks talking about a dive log book, but some operators require it? Yikes! Sure wish I would have logged all those dives 25 years ago. I guess I don't qualify for some dives now....

I'm also a pilot and we all log our flights but that's because it's required by law. But scuba diving???? Sheeesh.

I have no problem with people wanting to log dives. I actually keep a log for my bike rides but that's purely for me to track my exercise routine.

The ironic thing about log books is that you can write anything you want in them. It's purely an honor system. In this case, if I want to be honest my new log book will not include LOTS of dives made over a period of 10 years. My honesty means I may not be able to go on some neat dives. Oh well, got to live within the system.

Time to order that log book...can't wait to see that first logged dive. Yippeeee!!

</Sarcasm Off/>

 

[itziar]

I understand how you feel... however, I did not get the impression that the logbok was absolutely necessary in order to be able to dive with these operators. They asked for it to assess where they could bring us, I think. Being a newbie, I think it is totally understandable, and I actually like it when a shop checks what I have done.

One of our party did not provide the logbook in a diveshop in Veracruz (here in Mex) the first time we showed up there, and he was taken down to 90ft all the same for the second day of diving. The DM checked us first in shallower reefs the first day though. Now he has started a logbook, because in order to take the SSI Advanced certification he needs to log some 20 dives (I think the number is correct, but I am not 100% sure) -- he has more than those, but no log of them, just like you!

The Greek operator would not take anybody down to 100ft without AOW certification or a healthy logbook and some check-out dives with them.

Looks as if it is worth having a record!

Cheers, Itziar

 

[ScubaRon]

I have done lots of dive travel all over the world and regularly I have been asked for my log book.

It is not exactly an honor system and most dive professionals do take the logs seriously. But you can easily fake the info and the stamps.

Personally I use the log book not only as "proof" of a dive, but also describe in 4-5 sentences what I experienced on this dive ("giant purple moray ate my left fin, mating turtles, strong current..."). It makes it easy to remember what you saw where.
ScubaRon

 

[bertschb]

Like I said, I'm not opposed to the idea of a log for personal reasons. I use one for biking. I'm just opposed to the log book being used by dive operators to "prove" skill level (more or less). Since I do 98% of my diving without a dive operator, basically none of my entries would be "stamped" (not even sure what that is). So my log book would be entirely filled out using the honor system. I don't think I would be alone here.

In order to fly an airplane solo and for biennial recurrency our flight log books are REQUIRED to be endorsed by an instructor. The instructor's ID number is entered for verification. I can still fib my flights but the biennial sign-offs (after demonstrating proficiency in-flight) by an instructor can't really be fibbed (although you could forge the signature).

The scuba log book is just me writing whatever I want whenever I want. No sign-offs or recurrency training is required.

Again, please don't get me wrong. I'm all for log books - just not to "prove" my skills to a dive operator.

 

[Charlie99]

bertschb once bubbled...
Like I said, I'm not opposed to the idea of a log for personal reasons. I use one for biking. I'm just opposed to the log book being used by dive operators to "prove" skill level (more or less). .......The scuba log book is just me writing whatever I want whenever I want.

My experience is that the few times an operator wanted to look at my log was when I didn't have my AOW or Rescue cert cards with me.

I highly recommend the Rescue course, and that will eliminate virtually all inquiries about logbooks.

Keep in mind that it is YOUR logbook and approach it with the same mentality that you do your biking logbook ----- record what is interesting to you, record what may be useful to you later. My logbook has a lot of info on dive operators, contact info, depart/return times, as well as info on what I saw at various dive sites.