How to Log Your Dives: What, Why, and Best Practices

Keeping a dive log is one of the best habits a diver can develop. Whether you're a new diver tracking progress, an advanced diver refining your skills, or a professional maintaining records, logging dives helps you improve, troubleshoot issues, and document your experiences.

Why Log Your Dives?

Logging dives isn’t just a certification requirement—it provides valuable insights into your diving history and personal progression. Here’s why it matters:

• Skill Development → Identify patterns in buoyancy control, air consumption, and situational awareness.
• Equipment Tuning → Track weighting, exposure protection, and gear adjustments for different environments.
• Dive Planning → Record conditions like currents, visibility, and temperatures to plan future dives effectively.
• Proof of Experience → Some advanced courses and dive operators require logged dives as proof of experience.
• Troubleshooting & Safety → Review past dives to spot trends in gas usage, depth-time profiles, and incidents.
• Personal Records → Keep a history of locations, marine life sightings, and memorable experiences.

What to Include in a Dive Log

While digital logs and apps have become the standard, a complete dive log should capture essential data:

Required Basics:

• Dive Number → Sequential tracking of your dives.
• Date & Location → Where and when the dive took place.
• Start & End Time → You can calculate RMV/SAC with total dive time.
• Depth → Maximum depth.
• Gas Used → Air, Nitrox mix (O2 %), or other gas details.
• Starting & Ending Pressure → Gas consumption tracking.
• Dive Buddy & Dive Type → Who you dove with and the type (wreck, drift, night, etc.).

Recommended Details:

• Temperature → Surface and bottom temps for exposure suit reference.
• Weighting → Helps adjust for new gear or environments.
• Visibility & Conditions → Useful for future dive planning.
• Marine Life & Points of Interest → Especially valuable for photographers.
• Notes on Equipment & Trim → What worked, what didn’t, and needed adjustments.
• Problems & Lessons Learned → If something went wrong, logging it helps prevent repeat issues.

Best Practices for Logging Dives

• Log Promptly After Each Dive
  Memory fades quickly—record details as soon as possible while they’re fresh.
• Be Honest & Accurate
  Logging dives you didn’t do or inflating details (e.g., adding bottom time) can create bad habits and inaccurate records.
• Use Digital Logs—Apps or Spreadsheets Work Best
  Paper logs still exist, but they’re unnecessary in a world where dive computers sync directly to apps like Shearwater Cloud, Subsurface, or even a simple Excel sheet.
• Track Your RMV
  Recording your starting and ending pressures allows you to track your Respiratory Minute Volume (RMV) over time, which is essential for better gas planning.
  → Learn how to calculate your RMV
• Note Gear & Weight Adjustments
  If you switch tanks, wetsuits, or locations, tracking what works simplifies future dives.
• Include Lessons & Improvements
  Jot down what went well and what needs work—this is how great divers refine their skills.
• Backup Your Dive Logs
  Even if you're using a digital log, don’t rely on a single platform. Apps can shut down, accounts can be lost, and files can get corrupted. Export your logs regularly and keep a backup copy in a spreadsheet or cloud storage.
• Dive Computer Integration
  Some modern dive computers (Shearwater, Garmin, Suunto, etc.) automatically sync to apps. If you’re using one, make sure your logs are complete—some auto-logs miss key details like weighting, visibility, and gear notes.

Final Thoughts

Logging dives isn’t just about meeting certification requirements—it’s a powerful tool for improving skills, tracking experiences, and ensuring safe dive practices. Whether you prefer an app, spreadsheet, or computer log, what matters most is consistency and honest self-reflection.

Do you log your dives? Let me know what method works best for you!