Dive log

A dive log is used by a scuba diver to record the details of their dives. The log may either be in a book, software, or web based. The log serves purposes both related to safety and personal records. Information in a log may contains such things as date, time and location, the profile of the dive, equipment used, air usage, above and below water conditions, such as temperature, current, wind and waves, general comments, verification of buddy and instructor.

Elements

Typical sections in a 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.

Web based logbooks

Software based logbooks

There are a plethora of software based logbooks available. In addition to proprietary software provided by dive computer manufacturers, there are various non-proprietary developments at various stages of maturity.

This diving-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.