Dive log

Contents of the logbook

Typical fields in a recreational diver's log book would be the following:

• Header - Contains basic information about the date, time and location of the dive.
• Profile - Records sufficient detail to show the profile of the dive.
• Equipment - Shows what the diver was wearing and what dive gear was used during the dive.
• Conditions - Allows the diver to record what the environment was like (both above and below water).
• Comments - Used for any general information not covered in other sections.
• Verification - used to record the signature and certification details of the buddy / instructor that was with the diver during the dive.

A more minimalistic log book for recreational divers who are only interested in keeping a record of their accumulated experience (total number of dives and total amount of time underwater), could just contain the first point of the above list and the maximum depth of the dive.

A commercial diver's logbook may be considered a legal document, and may contain more information, both about the diver, and about each dive recorded. It is generally verified by the diving supervisor for each diving operation. It may include the following sections:

1. Personal details of the diver
2. Medical certificates of fitness to dive and notes
3. Qualifications and certificates
4. Training record
5. Competence assessment record
6. Record of dives
7. Medical records illness or injury
8. Cumulative diving experience The record of each dive may contain:
9. Date of the dive
10. Signature of the diver
11. Name and address of the diving contractor
12. Dive location
13. Vessel or installation from which the dive is done
14. Type of dive (Surface oriented or saturation)

• For bell bounce or surface dives:
  • Maximum depth of the dive
  • Time left surface or started pressurisation
  • Bottom time
  • Time that decompression was completed
  • Details of any surface decompression, including surface interval and time in the chamber
  • Accumulated bottom time
  • Accumulated total time under pressure
• For saturation dives:
  • Storage depth
  • Maximum depth of dive
  • Bell lock-off time
  • Time that diver left bell
  • Time that diver returned to bell
  • Lock-out duration
  • Bell lock-on time
  • Accumulated number of lock-outs
  • Accumulated total time under pressure

1. Details of work done and equipment used:

• Breathing apparatus used
• Breathing mixture used
• Work description, equipment and tools used

1. Name of decompression schedules used
2. Notes regarding any decompression incident or other illness or injury
3. Any other relevant comments
4. Name and signature of the diving supervisor for the dive
5. Diving contractor's official company stamp

Dive log software

Usually dive computer manufactures have their own software to view and analyze logged dive profiles, but there are also open source versions. Subsurface is free open source dive log software started by Linus Torvalds, which is compatible with several makes of downloadable diving computer.

Sources

References

1. "Basics of a dive accident".
2. Diving Regulations 2009 of the South African Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993. Government notice R41, Government Gazette #32907 of 29 January 2010, Government Printer, Pretoria
3. Statutory Instruments 1997 No. 2776, HEALTH AND SAFETY, The Diving at Work Regulations 1997. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/2776/introduction/made
4. Staff. "Professional diver's logbook".
5. "Subsurface".