Dive log

Question
Hi,
I got certified in Kenya back in 1981. When I left for university I left all my gear  at home. When I traveled around  the world I would find myself invited to go diving, I had my card but not my log book. My parents last year sent me all my gear including my log book. What is the proper proceedure for me now. Should I log the dives I did (obviously I do not have all the info, but I did keep a diary of my travels including dates, dive sites, some depth and bottom times and even the name of my dive buddies.

I am now heading to the south seas for 6 months and plan on starting to dive again, I am currently doing my PADI Adventure course.

Should I fill in my log book with the info I do have? We are talking about 12 dives.

Just want to do the right thing!!

Cheers Didier


Answer
Cheers, Didier!!

By all means, log the dives!!  It doesn't matter that time has passed since you did the dives.  Your dive log is a record of the diving you have done.  It will serve as a reference for you as well as anyone else who reads it.  Transfer the information from your diary directly into your log book and be sure to include any items which are of particular interest to you.  If you can't remember details, don't worry about it.  Just enter what you can remember.  Consider the log book as a diary of your underwater adventures.  Include the things you liked about a particular site as well as anything you didn't like.  That way, you will be able to advise others about these dive sites.  If your buddy is available to sign the log, fine.  If not, then you can sign it yourself.  If it is a training dive, then your instructor will sign it.  Treat your log book as a reference and not a legal document so don't worry about who signs it.  Also, don't worry if the dates of the dives are out of sequence.  Once again, it's a reference only and nobody is going to "grade" you on your log book!!

Didier, I envy you for spending the next 6 months in the South Seas!!  Now...go out and have fun!!

Sincerely,
Mike Giles
Mike's Dive Center
mikescuba.com