Shark Cage dives

[diverchic]

Are cage dives considered to be loggable dives per PADI criteria?

 

[Mike Boswell]

I don't know why not: I dove with two lawyers once and logged the dive.

Of course I was missing some gear that evening, and two fingers on my left hand...

 

[ajduplessis]

I doubt it. My understanding of a logged dive: Must be below a defined depth (something like 10m or 30ft) and must be around 20min dive time. Please don’t quote me on these numbers.

 

[hmarashi]

I doubt it. My understanding of a logged dive: Must be below a defined depth (something like 10m or 30ft) and must be around 20min dive time. Please don’t quote me on these numbers.

So, when I climb into the bath tub with mask and fins, those are not considered "loggable" dives? Might have to update my log book now.

 

[Aquatic Eagle]

Are cage dives considered to be loggable dives per PADI criteria?

They are not considered scuba dives by definition but there are no rules as to what you can log. It's your logbook so you log whatever you want to log. I have over 300 dives as an exhibit diver at Ripley's Aquarium. Technically they are not loggable dives but I certainly logged every one of them and count them in my total. Why?
I was still in salt water.
I was still gaining experience in buoyancy.
I was still gaining experience in reducing my air consumption.
I was gaining experience in overhead environments.
I was gaining experience diving with big (sometimes dangerous) animals.

It's not like I was diving in a big swimming pool. I learned something and gained experience on every dive. If it's a quality dive that adds to your experience then I say log it. Just make sure that you include the details and that it is written in as a cage dive and not just an open water dive. You want to include the dive as part of your experience but you also want to be honest.

 

[TMHeimer]

Maybe someone could chime in and say specifically what PADI considers a dive, for those who pursue Rescue, DM, etc. Re- depth, time, do solo dives count?, etc.

 

[idocsteve]

You can log your last bubble bath if you're so inclined but when it comes to an instructor or agency looking at your logbook one day as you pursue an advanced certification and what they might think, go by the following general rule of thumb:

If you're not sure if it's a loggable dive then it's not a loggable dive.

 

[Tropicalwolf]

I don't know why not: I dove with two lawyers once and logged the dive.

Of course I was missing some gear that evening, and two fingers on my left hand...

Friend asked the other day, "How do you save a drowning lawyer?"...I simply asked, "Why would you want to?"

...And yes, I would log the dive for experince purposes. In all the years I've been diving, and every class I've taken, no one has ever asked to see a logbook anyway.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

There are two widely used definitions; 15/15 and 20/20.

15' max depth, 15 minute total dive time. 20' max depth, 20 minute total dive time. Other agencies might even include air consumption.

If the cage is floating at the surface and you are wearing only snorkel gear the answer should be obvious.

If like one of my friends you wear scuba gear and the great white actually gets stuck in the big opening thrashing around so you have to cower on the bottom of the cage until it gets free, I'd log that as a dive with overhead restriction.

If the cage is not on the surface and you are wearing dive gear that is the only time I would call it a shark cage dive, and then I agree with idocsteve (maybe first time ever).

If you're not sure if it's a loggable dive then it's not a loggable dive.