Dive logs, which ones do you use?

[LakeCountyDiver]

What Dive logs do you use for cave dives. Searching the history I see some use notebook paper. I would like to use some log sheets that will fit in a 3 ring binder log book. I am not big on computer software so would like to keep paper logs.

If no "cave" logbooks do exists then in the notebook what info do you record??? Other then the traditional Location/Depth/Time that common dive logs keep.

Logs will eventually be used for Abe Davis award application so will need all required info that I may not be aware of. I have a while before I finish full cave but at that point I will be keeping separate logs for cave dives.

[sandy]

I record all of my dives in the same log, a blank journal that has about 100 pages in it. I can log about 175 dives in one along with other information. I record the following:
Date, dive #, cave dive #, and accumulated cave time,
location and buddies,
Basic equipment info(exposure protection used, tank sizes and setup, computer safety factor, weights if used),
time in and out, total dive time, and cave dive time,
water temp and viz, max and avg depth,
tanks used, mix, air used and my SAC for the dive,
a narrative about the dive - includes anything that could be done better or improved upon next time, and
a note on any new divers I meet that day.

I also include phone numbers of dive shops and buddies, instructions in the event of an accident, equipment maintenance dates, and some other stuff.

[CaveMD]

I know you said you weren't interested in software but I think it would be a good idea to at least give it a try. I have divinglog5.0 and I can upload directly from my computer/bottom timer in just a minute or two. It also makes things like logging cave dives for the Abe/wakulla awards easier because you can simply search the log and it instantly seperates all cave dives out to print them.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

[Mark Vlahos]

My logging methods have evolved over time.

At first I used the format of the PADI log book I got when I was certified. Eventually I got a dive computer and the whole square profile letter group thing on the pages did not work, so I just used the basic format ignoring the information pertaining to tissue loading.

Eventually I completely gave up on the written book, and just used the software that came with my computer. That worked great until I outgrew that computer and purchased a new one with different software. I ended up reviving the written book and made a page for each dive based on the computer log. At this point the book was the single most complete and accurate place for the information.

Dive computers have changed along the way, but that hand written log book served its purpose quite well for years.

After logging a few hundred dives the logistics of those PADI books and pages in small 3 ring binders just became too confusing...

What I moved to was a single line on a hand written page, much like what you appear to be seeking. It worked well for a couple of years, but after a while the pages started getting dog eared, wet, and torn. I also discovered that around dive number 350 or so I skipped a few numbers. It seems that one of my handwritten number 3's looked more like a 5 so I went from dive number 353 to 356, skipping the two numbers between. Not that big a deal really, but it was annoying.

Just the other day I finally entered the information into a spread sheet. I printed the sheet so I have a paper copy that is legible, but the key information resides on my computer. I have editable, and viewable copies on my iPhone, iPad, and MacBook I update one and they all get updated. Archival copies are made to a backup hard drive along with regular backups of all of my data.

I remember someone posting a thread a while ago indicating that they lost their log book at one of the popular caves. Just the idea of that was disturbing enough to push me to the conclusion that my dive log book is important enough to keep backups of just like the rest of my data on my computer.

The page is oriented in landscape format and has the following information.

Lifetime Dive Number
Cave Dive Number
Date
Location
Notes
Computer
Decompression
Maximum Depth
Run time

The field for the computer is not necessary for most divers, and frankly the only reason I have it on the form is as an aide to telling me what download software should have the detailed information for the contour of the dive. I still have all of the old files and am able to open the old software on old laptops that I still have at home.

Sandy keeps far more detailed information than I do. I am sure there will come a day when I want to review many of those details that I don't even have the ability to retrieve from my old computers. For me I have decided in advance that I am willing to close the door on this information and do without it in the future. I may regret that choice, but it is mine to make.

Mark Vlahos

[szdavid]

Hi

since a few weeks, I am giving a try to Diveboard.com, which is actually great

David

[mdax]

I use log pages printed from www.dive-logs.com
I like the size of the pages, customized format and write in the rain coating.

[w ripley]

...instantly seperates all cave dives...

Would you elaborate? Didn't find much help for my questions on the website. How do you separate OC from CCR dives, cave from ocean dives, etc., and get meaningful totals for each? I'm especially interested in having running totals for hours in each category. Does it place a limit on the number of hours you can enter for a single dive?

[Zinc]

I use MSWord. It takes a bit of time, but allows me to add anything I want and adjust the fields as I choose. I attached two samples...
Zinc Dive Log Sample.JPGZinc Dive Log Template.JPG

[amascuba]

I wrote my own web based software.
http://www.apps.securitygeek.net/mydivelog/

[bl6394]

I wrote my own web based software.
http://www.apps.securitygeek.net/mydivelog/

Nice! You just motivated me to do the same.

Bjorn