What to Write in a Dive Logbook: Complete Guide
A well-maintained dive logbook is a treasure trove of information. This guide covers everything you should include to create comprehensive and meaningful dive log entries.
Essential Information Categories
1. Dive Identification
- Dive Number: Sequential number of your dive
- Date: Day, month, and year
- Time: Entry time and exit time
- Dive Site Name: Official name of the location
- Location: City, country, or region
- Dive Type: Fun dive, training, night dive, wreck dive, etc.
2. Depth and Time Data
- Maximum Depth: Deepest point reached (in meters/feet)
- Average Depth: Average depth during the dive
- Bottom Time: Total time from entry to beginning of ascent
- Total Dive Time: Complete time underwater
- Surface Interval: Time on surface between dives
3. Environmental Conditions
- Water Temperature: Surface and maximum depth temperatures
- Air Temperature: Surface air temperature
- Visibility: Horizontal visibility in meters/feet
- Current: Strength and direction
- Surge: Wave action underwater
- Weather: Surface weather conditions
- Sea State: Calm, choppy, rough, etc.
4. Equipment Details
- Weight Used: Amount of weight in your system
- Exposure Protection: Wetsuit thickness or drysuit type
- Tank Type: Air, Nitrox, Trimix, etc.
- Tank Size: Volume in liters or cubic feet
- Starting Pressure: PSI or Bar at start
- Ending Pressure: PSI or Bar at end
- Air Consumption: Calculated consumption rate
5. Dive Profile
- Entry Method: Shore, boat, beach, etc.
- Exit Method: How you left the water
- Dive Profile: Description of the dive path
- Safety Stop: Whether you performed a safety stop
- Decompression: Any required decompression stops
Personal Observations and Notes
Marine Life Encounters
- Species of fish, corals, and marine animals observed
- Unusual or rare sightings
- Behavioral observations
- Photography opportunities
Dive Experience
- How you felt during the dive
- Skills practiced or mastered
- Challenges encountered and how you handled them
- What went well
- Areas for improvement
Dive Buddy Information
- Buddy's name and certification level
- Communication and teamwork notes
- Shared experiences and observations
Instructor or Guide Notes
- Instructor/guide name and feedback
- Skills demonstrated or learned
- Certification progress (if applicable)
Additional Information to Consider
- Photos/Videos: Note if you took any
- Special Events: Mating seasons, migrations, etc.
- Site Characteristics: Reef type, bottom composition
- Navigation: Compass bearings, landmarks
- Emergency Procedures: Any incidents or close calls
Tips for Effective Logging
- Log Immediately: Write entries while details are fresh
- Be Consistent: Use the same format for all entries
- Be Detailed: More information is better than less
- Be Honest: Accurate logs are more valuable
- Add Personal Touch: Include your feelings and experiences
- Review Regularly: Learn from your past dives
Digital vs. Paper Logbooks
Both have their advantages:
- Digital: Easy to search, backup, and share
- Paper: Tangible, doesn't require batteries, traditional
- Many divers use both for redundancy
Conclusion
A comprehensive dive logbook is an invaluable tool for every diver. By recording detailed information about each dive, you create a personal database that enhances safety, tracks progress, and preserves memories. Start logging with detail from your very first dive!
Start logging today! Use Coral Circuit's digital dive logger to document your underwater adventures and track your progress as a diver.