Dive logs and boat diving, have you ever been denied?

[scubadada]

I've never been asked for a logbook. When I did SDI solo, I had about 750 dives, likely more than 100 with the operator I was using for training.

On several occasions I was aware that AOW cert was required for certain dives, but no logbook. I'm frequently asked number of dives and date of last dive, never asked to prove it.

I have a paper logbook, download my dives from my computer, and have a spreadsheet. I enjoy looking at all of them

 

[Marie13]

Divers Den in Tobermory, ON, specifically says to bring your logbook if you want to dive the Arabia (115ft depth). Must have cold water and deep experience. I'll be diving her next July. Cold water and deep experience are not an issue.

Arabia

Highly advanced - Deep and cold water experience necessary...Please bring your Logbooks and proof of certification for this awesome wreck dive. This is the best and most interesting wreck in Tobermory. It should be dived by experienced divers only. However, it is well worth a few years of diving effort to gain the necessary experience to dive this wreck.

 

[AdivingBel]

Provide c-card, number of dives(approx.), date of last dive in nearly all situations where I'm boat diving or using gear from a dive op. Asked and happily complied with a quick skills check at the dock before going out for the first dive of a week of diving at a Caribbean dive resort. I've been asked for AOW for "advanced dives" in the FL Keys by a shop that didn't know me. Once asked for a solo card when renting a pony tank & reg. All good. That's why I have them. I've never been denied access to a boat or dive site. I've never been asked for a log book.

I was in a Keys shop when another diver walked in off the street (they didn't know him) and used his log book to make his case for an advanced site without AOW. He didn't want to hire a guide or do a checkout dive which were the other offered options. The dive op complied with his request after reviewing his log. Guess it was good that he had it.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Ok, great, thanks for all the answers.
The only travel trips I’ve ever made was Hawaii in 1999 and GBR in 2000.
I honestly couldn’t remember if they asked for a log book or not. It seems to me they might have in Australia.
Socal dive.boats never.
I might actually be able to begin some travelling in the coming years so I’m trying to figure out what I may need. A log book is not a realistic option unless I try and fabricate one. I was kind of hoping a few tech certs might help, but then I also read stuff where some DM’s only want to see a PADI AOW card. They don’t know or care about anything higher or “off brand” certification agencies. I find this odd??
A computer is another thing that probably won’t work. Here’s the thing, I have one (a cheap piece of crap) but I hardly ever use it. So when the day comes that I actually get to book a trip somewhere I plan to buy something nice. But then It’s not going to have any dives logged on it in any numbers.
So I guess I’m starting from square one again as far as travelling goes/

 

[MichaelMc]

I think if you show your rescue, AN/DP, tell them you built the backplate that many use. Your last dives were north of San Fransisco Bay in a ridiculously thick wet suit vis was great at 10' surge only 5', feeding kelp to abalone, and describe the entry in that area, or that you go down to Monterey/Carmel when you want something tamer, they'll likely let you on the boat.

 

[Centrals]

One of twice before but I always travel with my latest one so no problem.
Some operators do ask the date of last dive so the log book solve the issue.
AOW was NOT good enough to dive some sites deeper than 30m that I have been. So I always carry a Tec card.

 

[KenGordon]

Ok, great, thanks for all the answers.
The only travel trips I’ve ever made was Hawaii in 1999 and GBR in 2000.
I honestly couldn’t remember if they asked for a log book or not. It seems to me they might have in Australia.
Socal dive.boats never.
I might actually be able to begin some travelling in the coming years so I’m trying to figure out what I may need. A log book is not a realistic option unless I try and fabricate one. I was kind of hoping a few tech certs might help, but then I also read stuff where some DM’s only want to see a PADI AOW card. They don’t know or care about anything higher or “off brand” certification agencies. I find this odd??
A computer is another thing that probably won’t work. Here’s the thing, I have one (a cheap piece of crap) but I hardly ever use it. So when the day comes that I actually get to book a trip somewhere I plan to buy something nice. But then It’s not going to have any dives logged on it in any numbers.
So I guess I’m starting from square one again as far as travelling goes/

I don’t have any PADI cards at all. When diving in tourist resorts where you end up with a PADI shop I have not had a problem with BSAC cards even if they have no idea what BSAC is.

I did once have to explain how Nitrox was part of the main course on behalf of one of our party who’d brought along a Qualification Record Book (sort of like a log book but for the individual lessons that make up all the various courses, actually the master copy of a BSAC qualification) rather than plastic cards.

I find the needing a card for a Nitrox fill thing is much more likely than needing one to dive, especially in the U.K. where no boat ever asks for cards.

In places like the Red Sea the general approach is that they want to see cards and ask how many dives you have done and when the last one was. They also like to have an easy first dive where they see you in the water. No log book required.

Maybe I have been lucky, but I have yet to meet an officious idiot asking for cards. They seem to be just taking reasonable precautions against having a complete novice jump in inappropriately.

You say you have more opportunity for dive travel, can I suggest you try the U.K. it is now extremely cheap (with a 50:50 chance of hitting 1USD/£ in April) and a week in Scapa/Shetland/West Coast is typically about £750 including food and board.

 

[Edward3c]

Ok, great, thanks for all the answers.
The only travel trips I’ve ever made was Hawaii in 1999 and GBR in 2000.
I honestly couldn’t remember if they asked for a log book or not. It seems to me they might have in Australia.
Socal dive.boats never.
I might actually be able to begin some travelling in the coming years so I’m trying to figure out what I may need. A log book is not a realistic option unless I try and fabricate one. I was kind of hoping a few tech certs might help, but then I also read stuff where some DM’s only want to see a PADI AOW card. They don’t know or care about anything higher or “off brand” certification agencies. I find this odd??
A computer is another thing that probably won’t work. Here’s the thing, I have one (a cheap piece of crap) but I hardly ever use it. So when the day comes that I actually get to book a trip somewhere I plan to buy something nice. But then It’s not going to have any dives logged on it in any numbers.
So I guess I’m starting from square one again as far as travelling goes/

I’ve been organising dive trips for over 30 years. With very few exemptions the only cards operators are interested in is MasterCard/Visa, less so AMEX, recently having a PayPal Account is proving useful in SE Asia. Showing a BSAC Advanced Diver qualification gets some interesting responses; like, would I like to take a Rescue Course? Then they get really confused with the BSAC Advanced Instructor card.

The checkout dive. If the operator doesn’t insist on one I won’t use them, as it’s my opportunity to check them out.

I print off the last 6 months worth of diving from my log. Again rarely needed to show it, and when I do it generates great diving discussions.

 

[scrane]

I always have to show the card, never had to show a logbook, which is lucky for me. I think it has a lot to do with how you present yourself.

 

[LakeCountyDiver]

I have only even been asked for my money. Many in the Keys don't even ask for a c card they just want the debit card.