What are the advantages of logging your dives?
If you’ve have been bitten by the dive bug, you have probably done your Open Water Certification. Diving log-books are one of the topics that are introduce to us in our Open Water training course. It teaches us how to record details for a specific dive.
Although it’s not mandatory for divers to keep a dive log, there are many benefits and advantages of having one. So it’s a good habit to start from the beginning. 🙂 Especially if you would like to make a career out of it. It shows proof of dives from most dive centers around the globe. On top of that, no two dives are ever the same. Without your log, you may struggle to remember key information about your past dives. What time of year was the Mola mola around in Lembongan? When did you see the thresher shark? It’s all good to have this information written down for reference.
What is a dive log-book?
A dive log-book is a record-keeping development tool of your dive history to date. From recording technical information of your dives to memorable diving experiences. Keeping a dive log up to date holds many advantages
What goes in dive log-books?
The basic elements of a dive log consist of:
- Your dive location
- The date of your dives
- The time in and out of the water
- Dive profile – For example, your depth, surface intervals, air usage, safety stop details, etc.
- Conditions – consider the weather, water temperature and visibility
- Equipment – what size equipment you wore and how much weight you used
- Experiences – any hazards/challenges
- Stamps/Signature – a valid stamp from a professional at the dive operator that you did the dive.
What are the advantages of logging dives?
We get asked this a lot… read on fellow diver, read on…
It’s proof
Having a log-book is proof that you’re an active diver and shows the different experience level of dives you’ve had. For example, we can have strong currents around the Nusa islands, so you need to be adequately prepared to dive the more advanced dive sites. There is no substitute for experience.
You may also need to show your dive logs when going on a live-aboard. It’s used for validation as anyone can buy a log-book and make up details but with a signature or stamp from a professional, nobody will question you.
Know how much weight you need
Being correctly weighted is one of the biggest factors to influence an efficient dive. This helps lower your air consumption and to enjoy the experience even more. Having an accurate record of the weight required will also help. You’ll avoid wasting valuable scuba time on the dive. Though your guide will help with your correct weighting it’s nice to have an idea before you start!
Have this recorded will make it easier for you to adjust next time you are diving. For example, the thickness and length of your wetsuit will make a difference to your weighting
Remember specific dive site information
When you become a regular diver it’s hard to remember every dive site and what the conditions were like. It’s always beneficial to note down the dive site information while you remember. That way, when you return months or years later, you can reflect on the differences and if there have been any major changes. If the water temperature was a bit too frosty and affected your enjoyment, write it down! Next time you’ll remember to bring a hood or thicker wetsuit.
Record your milestones
If you don’t keep a record of all your dives, how are you going to know when you’ve hit your 100th? You know, the one where it’s a tradition for you to dive naked to celebrate! By logging your dives, you can keep track of all your big milestones. You can review your progression and see how far you’ve come and how much you’ve improved!
Keep a list of fish sightings
The ocean is filled with fascinating and beautiful fish of every shape and size. You can sometimes identify a fish family different dive sites using your log-book. For example, we regularly see a large school of drummer when diving Toyapakeh. It’s a great way to log any unusual or rare encounters that you may have. Remember the time you swam with a whale shark or saw a hammerhead! If you are an underwater photography/videography you could also record details of your underwater shots.
Build a stamp collection
Just like a passport fills with stamps from around the globe, dive logs are exactly the same. It’s a great conversation starter and something you can look back on, (and to show off to all your friends 😉 ). It’s a type of journal to keep your magnificent diving memories with you and a reference to where you have been. Stamps and signatures also act as a validation of your dives that you show other dive centers.
To remember your dive buddy
Diving is a social sport and your dive buddies can quickly become lifelong friends. You instantly have a common interest, and can easily forge a bond over your underwater encounters. As you exchange social media information, you could easily be planning you’re next dive trip in Indonesia with your new buddy in the near future.
Thanks for the memories
Although it is about personal preference, there are many advantages to keeping a dive log. Log-books serve as a journal detailing the unique experiences of each of your dives. Why wouldn’t you want to cherish those memories and look back on them? They can be used as a training aid and tool which you can record and reflect on each dive.
Overall they will help you to plan your future dives and ultimately make you a better diver. This, for most of us, is the main goal. Although we tend to leave pen and paper behind in our digital World, we do have our special Siren Diving log books available. In fact, all our students get one for free!
Call into the shop or message us on our Siren Diving Facebook to get your log-book today.
Have you heard the sirens call?