Who keeps their log book up to date?

[Uncle Pug]

Since getting my suunto stinger in I have actually started downloading and keeping track of dives. This is not the same as a paper log but I can really put a lot of information into each dive file....

But....

I never go back and look through them so I am not sure what good it is doing me....
However someday mayber they will come in handy....

 

[Starfish]

As a beginner I find my log book to be invaluable for keeping track of information regarding bouyancy, air consumption, level of dive suit protection, etc.

I like keeping a paper log about what I have seen as well.

I too get my dive buddy to sign my book and include a dive operator stamp or sticker when I can get one for future contact info. If nothing else, it's a cool cheap souvenier (sp?) of my dive travels.

I have found that more operators are asking for a card or a log book for advanced dives. I haven't been doing any dives which required an AOW or log book, but have seen operators ask divers.

 

[JamesK]

I keep track. I try to write everything down. Even stuff my buddy does. That way when I am as famous as Sheck Exley was and write my diving memoirs, I will remember everything. LOL. Ok, so the only book I will ever write is my log book, and the only place I will be known at is the cafeteria here at work. I can dream though can't I?

 

[O-ring]

Starfish,
Do you have any more info on the log book requests? I have heard of it but have not seen it yet. What types of dives..penetration, deep, enriched air?

TIA

 

[Iguana Don]

I log em all, carry one of those Sony (no baloney) digital recorders in my log book to take on the boat or wherever to record the site infomation and conditions as well as all the data. Then when the day is over I sit down and transfer it all to paper.

ID

 

[Diversauras]

I download from my computer to my lap top. If it is a day trip I leave the PC on the beach, on live aboards I take it along. I can usually remember the info until I get to the beach in the afternoon but if it is something I am worried about forgetting I keep make notes and keep them with my dry gear.

At the end of a vacation I print and keep a paper log where I add pictures, brochures, tickets, etc. The dive shops often ask for a log and this is duck soup.

 

[chiara]

O-ring,

yes, asking for c-cards and proof of boasted 5.000 dives is common practice everywhere.

And the further you are into the hierarchy, the more you have to demonstrate.

I don't care, I have a small zippered cordura bag where I keep everything, including c-cards, DAN insurance, up-to-date medical certification, logbooks and scuba stamp.

 

[MSilvia]

I have one of those old-school dark blue PADI log books from the early '80s, which I keep (along with a lighter, cellphone, and pair of latex gloves) in a dry box in my gear bag. It's not very detailed, but it suffices.

I'm thinking of starting a file detailing dive sites I frequent, with photos, sketches, info on flora and fauna, wreck history and conditions, etc. That might be a handy resource for others if made into a book someday.

 

[Starfish]

At the time, I was in Cozumel. To dive Devil's Throat, Punta Sur
(Devil's Throat is a tunnel beginning in 70 ft of water and ending up as deep as 140 ft. ) some operators wanted to see a log book. From the conversations I eavesdropped on, they wanted to see that you had an AOW and had at least 10 dives below 90 ft.

I would certainly talk to your operator before you leave home. Most have e-mail.

 

[ScubyDoo]

I definately log all my dives. Im a new diver.....really havent done any REAL dives yet. Just my training dives and a specialty dive. I love marking everything down in my logbook (a padi cordura binder). If theres a space for information.....I fill it in!! In the notes section I will note what fish I saw, if I was cold, how I felt about my weighting, how smooth the dive went, etc. I try to record all information so that a stranger reading it will know exactly what kind of dive I had.

I have a Suunto Cobra computer which pretty records everything for me, which I download to my PC. It records depth, air usage, bottom time, air temp, water temperature, time in, time out, etc. It allows me to place bookmarks in a dive profile and then annotate it later on my pc. For example the dive manager software will produce a graph which represents the dive profile in depth and time. If I see a shark at 54fsw I can push a button on the cobra to bookmark it. When I open the graph on the PC, there will be a mark at the 54 foot level which I can add text that says "saw shark" or whatever.

With the computer log, I have to add information it wouldnt otherwise know like: where the dive occurred; what size tank was I using, who was my dive buddy, my notes, gear I was wearing, etc. But you can create virtual "gear bags" to pick and choose from which makes this really easy.

I like it mostly because it automatically records information for me so I dont have to focus on it so much during the actual dive. I can always come back and get it later. It figures my SAC rate automatically too which is just way cool.

I keep both my logbooks current....paper and pc!!