log book

[Searcaigh]

For doing more advanced courses you have to show proof of a certain number of dives, therefore a log is required.

I recall Borneo Divers requiring a log book back in 2010 when I dived with them at Sipadan.

 

[tridacna]

I've dived in Israel on a few vacations. Never been asked for a log book in Eilat or Tel Aviv. C-card always works.

 

[TMHeimer]

You could check with the dive operation in the country you want to visit. In the US, Canada and Panama I never had to show the book, just the card, but who knows about all countries. Why not just bring your log (electronic or not) if they say you need it? Did your instructor sign something (book?) for your 4 Open Water checkout dives? That should be good enough if the card isn't. As pointed out, you can fake log entries and signatures anyway (why would anyone do that?). And how can you get a signature if you do a solo dive? I wouldn't worry too much, but record your dives and do check on what you need before you travel.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I've dived in Israel on a few vacations. Never been asked for a log book in Eilat or Tel Aviv. C-card always works.

And when I dived in the archaeological park in Caesarea I wasn't asked for a log book, either. Maybe if you sound sincere when you answer the dive operator's question of when your last dive was and how deep, they take that as sufficient evidence.

As far as I can tell from what's been said here and in similar previous threads over the years, not only is the law/regulation loosely enforced in Israel, but I have yet to see anybody name another country or region anywhere in the world that they know to have such a law/regulation.

 

[Neilwood]

You could check with the dive operation in the country you want to visit. In the US, Canada and Panama I never had to show the book, just the card, but who knows about all countries. Why not just bring your log (electronic or not) if they say you need it? Did your instructor sign something (book?) for your 4 Open Water checkout dives? That should be good enough if the card isn't. As pointed out, you can fake log entries and signatures anyway (why would anyone do that?). And how can you get a signature if you do a solo dive? I wouldn't worry too much, but record your dives and do check on what you need before you travel.

I was the one that made the point about faking entries and the situation regarding showing dives in the previous 6 months is a prime example of why someone might want to. If you didn't want to do the guided dive bit, you simply enter a fake dive within 3-4 months of the proposed date to tick that box.

Personally if I have been out of the water for that long I probably want to do a refresher dive (accompanied or otherwise) anyway to brush up on my skills

 

[chrisch]

...Why not just bring your log...

Because I don't have one. Haven't for 20 years/1,000+ dives.

 

[Liran tal]

when i was diving in the Maldives and in cypress they ask me to show them my log book to see that i was diving.
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[Centrals]

I had been asked for my log books on several occasions especially on liveaboard. They wanted to check the date of my last dive. No problem because I always carry the latest one.

 

[tridacna]

And what's the difference between showing them and telling them? I mean, writing it down makes it believable? You're on a liveaboard and they won't let you dive because you have no logbook?

 

[doctormike]

And what's the difference between showing them and telling them? I mean, writing it down makes it believable? You're on a liveaboard and they won't let you dive because you have no logbook?

I can imagine that it's a legal thing.

Not that a logbook has any documentary value per se, but if there is an accident and the estate tries to claim that the operator didn't do due diligence in confirming recent dive experience (as opposed to certification at some point in the past), they could say that the diver showed a log book.

Then the estate would be in the position of trying to prove that the diver produced a fraudulent log book, which wouldn't help their case.

I have never been asked for a log book myself anywhere. But I have it all on my phone, though...