Will a dive operator really want to check my logbook?

[NW Dive Dawg]

I've also never been asked for a dive log..... Just a C-card and Enriched Air / Nitrox.

 

[Damselfish]

Only been asked for log once, said I didn't bring it, they just shrugged. Made no difference, they were going through the motions and know a log is pretty meaningless. They're going to decide whatever about you based on other things.

I've got the basic excel log in Dropbox if I'm ever desperate, though probably missing last couple hundred dives that are on scrap paper somewhere.

 

[Robert H. Diver]

I log all my dives because I’m a nerd and like being able to look back at some info for individual dives, not because I think someone will ask me for it. I’ve never been asked to present a log, only c-cards.

 

[Jaaron82]

I’ve never been asked for a log book however I’ve definitely gotten questions about most recent dives And depths. Definitely asked to provide c cards.

 

[SlugLife]

I'm just about to book a stay at Osprey Beach Resort in T&C through PADI travel and noticed this:

Is it really the norm to check logbooks? I stopped logging dives 23 years ago after I got certified. Granted, I probably only average a couple dives a year, but without a logbook do I risk getting turned away?

To my knowledge, it's rare, and I personally wouldn't be inclined to show it even if I kept one.

I do think it's valid for a diver operation to request information which adequately shows you can conduct the intended dive safely. However, beyond that, IMO, it's getting into "none of your business territory."

That said, these questionnaires are often intended to get that information, even if the way they try to get that information is perhaps less than ideal. IMO, just call them and ask "I don't keep a log book. However, I've done about XX-dives in the last year, and have YY-level of training. Do you really need some kind of log-book, or is that adequate?" If they're a stickler about a log-book of some kind, just move on to another operator.

 

[SlugLife]

It can run the other way, when I had a dive charter I would look at some gear and think " when was the last time that was serviced, or even used?".

This can be very counter-intuitive. Brand-new looking gear, might mean they practically never dive, and leave it sitting in a storage locker. Heavily used looking gear may indicate they grabbed something cheap off craigslist, or actually use their gear all the time.

(Unless you're talking corrosion - some of the gear I've "refurbished" off ebay has been "what ... the ... f")

 

[Eric802]

“When was your last dive” and “Are you nitrox certified” are the only questions I’ve been asked in my (limited) experience.

 

[Beau Holden]

Never been asked for a log book. C card yes. Number of dives, most recent dive, I have never been asked that face to face by any operator. But a lot of the questioner forms I have filled out has requested that. I have not kept a log book in over 18 years. However, I do wish I still the the first and only dive log book I had. It would be nice to look back over it sometimes.

 

[bradlw]

Which brings me to a cross roads as a tech diver, do I tell them the truth or lie that it was 130ft/40m or whatever?

huh, what does tech diver have to do with that? Tell the truth of course!
as a human, why would you want to or need to lie?
Lying is the root of all evil...all sorts of bad things will grow from it.

I was certified recreational divemaster and asst instructor, and tec certified...full trimix, with standards down to I think it was 340 ft (100M)..... my deepest dive ever was 240ft.... but that was over 20 years ago. If they ask my deepest ever, I'll tell them 240. If they ask me today about my deepest dive within the last year I'll say about 6ft to the bottom of my swimming pool. Would I be ok if I jumped in on a relatively tame recreational dive today down to 100ft today....yeah, probably so..... and would most operators want to restrict me to a checkout firs...yeah probably so.....but what's the harm in that? I haven't dove open water in 20 years!

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

In addition to asking for certification, the date of last dive and total number of dives.......most operators and shops up here in the PAC NW will also ask......."when was your last cold water dive"...