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.
In case of a diving accident, it can provide valuable data regarding diver's previous experience, as well as the other factors that might have led to the accident itself. [1]
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.
Dive log software
Usually diving computer manufactures have their own software to view and analyze diving logs, but there are also open source versions. Subsurface is open source dive log software made by Linus Torvalds.[2]