What's up with Dive Logs?
What's up with Dive Logs?
So when I qualified with PADI, we made a point of doing dive logs after every dive. You record salient details about the dive (primarily related to nitrogen loading), then buddies sign each others' logs for verification. Personally, I like to take some notes on the dive to track things like gear changes, skills I worked on (and how I did), critter sightings, and so on.
Since I've started diving in the PNW this summer, I have seen a grand total of 2 other divers with logs. Is everyone just using their computers as their dive logs now? Or is logging the dive just passé? Does anyone ever check the verification signatures? Is it just useless paperwork that I'm forcing myself to do for no compelling reason?
Interested in everyone's thoughts on this.
Dan
Since I've started diving in the PNW this summer, I have seen a grand total of 2 other divers with logs. Is everyone just using their computers as their dive logs now? Or is logging the dive just passé? Does anyone ever check the verification signatures? Is it just useless paperwork that I'm forcing myself to do for no compelling reason?
Interested in everyone's thoughts on this.
Dan
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
Personally, I don't think it's needed. I've never been asked to see dive logs when I travel so I just don't do it.
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
I do recall doing some dives on a Jamaica trip where they ask to see a dive log. Pretty sure they are just trying to determine that you have dived in the last year or whatever,
I ended up printing out an excel sheet of mine (no signatures) and they were fine with that. I can just download from dive computer. Some people log their dives, many don't. I think I stopped paying attention at about 500 dives, and even well before then I certainly didn't write them down, simply let my computer do the tracking.
To each their own.
I ended up printing out an excel sheet of mine (no signatures) and they were fine with that. I can just download from dive computer. Some people log their dives, many don't. I think I stopped paying attention at about 500 dives, and even well before then I certainly didn't write them down, simply let my computer do the tracking.
To each their own.
**Pinch it, don't stick your finger through. You're just pinching a bigger hole.
CAPTNJACK - 2012**
CAPTNJACK - 2012**
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
I mostly use my computer as the log. And I download the log to my home computer too.djmcmath wrote: ... Is everyone just using their computers as their dive logs now? Or is logging the dive just passé?
Some dive operators might.... (think dive boats, etc.). Also, some dive shops too until they get familiar with you.djmcmath wrote: Does anyone ever check the verification signatures?
No, I dont think so. The point is to allow you to really think about your dives before and after....and have a reference.djmcmath wrote: Is it just useless paperwork that I'm forcing myself to do for no compelling reason?
I used to do paper logs for about my first 50 or so dives. From time to time I will go back and look at them.
...I like going to the chamber.. They have great food there, and awsome live music "H20doctor"
Check out the VIDEOS!
Check out the VIDEOS!
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
Cool, that checks with chart. I've started transferring all of my computer-logged dives to my desktop as well, and duplicating (cleaning up) my handwritten notes from the paper log into the computer. I'll keep doing what I'm doing and not worry about it.
Thanks,
Dan
Thanks,
Dan
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
A dive log is for your own benefit and enjoyment. How you log is up to you.
Years ago a few resorts asked to see my log, but it's a stupid request... They'll still let you dive even if you don't have one.
My first 300 dives were works of art in my log book... Now I use an Excel spreadsheet.
Years ago a few resorts asked to see my log, but it's a stupid request... They'll still let you dive even if you don't have one.
My first 300 dives were works of art in my log book... Now I use an Excel spreadsheet.
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
I have over 1100 dives, log them all computer and written.
Love to log!
I do REEF surveys on every dive and record the fish and inverts I see. I have designed my own pages with the REEF info on the back.
Logging is a delightful part of my post dive ritual. I record weight and equipment config and any dive highlights, conditions, how we did hitting slack, etc. Fun AND useful.
Practical and fun!
(BTW, if you don't log, and care, anyone who tells you how many dives they have has no idea. Making up numbers is fun!!!)
But of course, YMMV. No requirement other than the occasional resort request. I do it because I enjoy... that's enough to do it or not do it.
Love to log!
I do REEF surveys on every dive and record the fish and inverts I see. I have designed my own pages with the REEF info on the back.
Logging is a delightful part of my post dive ritual. I record weight and equipment config and any dive highlights, conditions, how we did hitting slack, etc. Fun AND useful.
Practical and fun!
(BTW, if you don't log, and care, anyone who tells you how many dives they have has no idea. Making up numbers is fun!!!)
But of course, YMMV. No requirement other than the occasional resort request. I do it because I enjoy... that's enough to do it or not do it.
More Pics Than You Have Time To Look AT
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
I havent logged a dive in 5 years now.
=============================================
- I got a good squirt in my mouth
- I would imagine that there would be a large amount of involuntary gagging
- I don't know about you but I'm not into swallowing it
CCR discussion on Caustic Cocktails.
- I got a good squirt in my mouth
- I would imagine that there would be a large amount of involuntary gagging
- I don't know about you but I'm not into swallowing it
CCR discussion on Caustic Cocktails.
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
Except for diving away in special locations, I haven't bothered to log my dives for over a year. Yeah, there's data in my wrist computer, but I don't look at that much either. The only dives that I log by hand would be ones that I want remember the specifics. I have a waterproof journal for that, and it gets my cave dives in Mexico and notes on the colorful reef dives in other tropical locations.
When away on a liveaboard or at a resort, there's always a checkout dive of some sort on the first day. After that we get grouped by demonstrated skill level. No log book required.
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When away on a liveaboard or at a resort, there's always a checkout dive of some sort on the first day. After that we get grouped by demonstrated skill level. No log book required.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
I log. Didn't do it for a couple of years while in Texas. Mostly the same lake, over and over and over again. Always fun though. I would log special trips though. Now that I'm back in the great PNW, every dive is special!
- Scubie Doo
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Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
I have all 831 dives logged in excel and several hundred of those are also in a travel journal. I keep them to catalog / remember my photographs and for my kids. Just my MO.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
I log. still. More just the factual points, and they are written until I manage to land a new perdix ai!
I also use them with my photographs, to help catalog them
I also use them with my photographs, to help catalog them
- theonly_JT
- Extreme Diving Machine
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Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
I've kept one since day 1 and plan to as long as I dive. Its the only sort "diary" I keep and should be pretty epic like 40 years.
"Whoa! Big ol' blue's one serious place, dude." - Crush the sea turtle
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
I like seeing my dive profiles after a dive, so they are automatically saved and clouded in Subsurface. But I'm not going to waste people's time asking them to sign my logbook.
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
I log my dives via Subsurface as well. It's handy when folks ask me where I've dived, I can pull up the logs on my phone and just start listing every thing
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
This.theonly_JT wrote: ......should be pretty epic like 40 years.
No really, think about it. Pretty cool, actually.
More Pics Than You Have Time To Look AT
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
Definitely not.Steiger wrote: But I'm not going to waste people's time asking them to sign my logbook.
But again... however I've had milestone dives, or epic trips / dives where I've been asked to sign a log book page and it was kind of cool, and for a few special pages I've asked some to sign that particular one as a memory.
Plus cool stickers from away trips, certain charters, etc.
Again, NONE of this says anyone HAS to keep a log book, only that if you choose to there are some fun reasons and unexpected bennies that can come from it.
One of the things I use my logs for all the time is weighting configs. I dive 100's, 119's and 130's. I've also lost a ton of bioprene. Remembering what I used, how it worked, etc has been hugely helpful as I adjust to a new reality. Are there other ways to do that? Of course. And so, do what you will, and have fun with it!
More Pics Than You Have Time To Look AT
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
I like using the log to keep track of the dive (good-bad), how I felt during and more importantly, gear changes and what effect they had on the dive. However I usually log a day or two after the dive.
Rarely ask anyone to sign my log these days.
Rarely ask anyone to sign my log these days.
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
FWIW I have 887 dives in 17 paper log books the last 338 logged on computer. I do backup my computer to SD cards but still, my paper log books are my ultimate backup. But that's just me.
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
all my dives are logged on my shearwater computer , then downloaded to my Laptop... easy stuff
not sure why anyone would Log dives still on paper or a Note book, but some still roll like that
not sure why anyone would Log dives still on paper or a Note book, but some still roll like that
NWDC Rule #2 Pictures Or it didn't Happen
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
I still roll like that. I like the documentation as a reference especially for dive trips.
Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
Another excel dive logger here, switched to that boring but reliable method after a couple bad meltdowns/disappointments with dive logging software that lost me a bunch of data. Still love logging the soft info after dives (e.g., "knocked back a half rack with so and so after a great dive at X")
- coulterboy
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Re: What's up with Dive Logs?
Twenty four years later, I still log my dives on paper on a three ring binder. I copied it from a log dive book (I'm not mentioning the brand, but there are many and way too expensive). Like JT said, it's like my diary, and perhaps when I'm gray and old (well I'm already there), my grandkids can just flip the pages and I can tell them stories about it. To each, his own.
When was the last time you did something for the first time?