When Does Your Dive Count Start?

[Squid]

As I read different posts and threads I see people noting memorable dives - such as their 100th dive and so on.

I was wondering what really starts my dive counter - my dives already in my logs from my Open Water Class? MMy first dives after my Open Water Certificate is earned?

Just curious what some of you consider a countable dive and when they start? Is there a benchmark that is black and white?

Squidly

 

[ReefHound]

As I read different posts and threads I see people noting memorable dives - such as their 100th dive and so on.

I was wondering what really starts my dive counter - my dives already in my logs from my Open Water Class? MMy first dives after my Open Water Certificate is earned?

Just curious what some of you consider a countable dive and when they start? Is there a benchmark that is black and white?

Squidly

Your open water dives count, you are on your way. Dive count is really not that important. Don't try to run up the dive count. Total dive time as well as variety of dives count for as much. Ultimately, your logbook is for your personal records.

 

[Hawkeye Mark]

Dive Count

I count them all. But i like to keep good records. some people just dont care which is okay. Its what makes up the dives that counts.

 

[katwoman]

It kind of cool to count all of your dives.

In the past I have not counted lake dives. But it's nice to have a complete record. Also, I lost some of my log book pages so I don't have a complete list.

 

[thesassyrabbit]

I counted every single dive - even with students in the pool - until I got way up there in count. If I was headed towards a goal, I'd count EVERYTHING. Now, I just count the big ocean dives ;-)

 

[texdiveguy]

Who's counting....

 

[ReefHound]

I recommend you log *everything* and sort it out later. If you log it now - even pool dives or cleaning-the-boat-bottom dives - you can always ignore it later for a "count". Your log is for your own benefit and you might learn something from those dives. Logging it is not the same thing as counting it.

 

[scubagirl]

Log Book???? Whats that???? LOL

 

[Skyjunky]

I count whatever is in my computer. I think I have more aquarium dives than ocean dives.

 

[Squid]

I am not one to use the counts as a bragging point, but I was curious if there was a standard line of thinking ... and of course there's not.

I bought the Aeris Atmos AI computer before I ever got wet in the pool session of the class so evertime I have gone below 4 feet is logged on my computer. Of course the pool dives were not logged in my book - but they are now recorded and part of my digital log book.

 

[katwoman]

I dove with a guy last week that has over 800 dives.

That is impressive.

 

[Sushi Boy]

He he...wanna see the size of my logbook, baby?

As you noticed Squid, there are lots of opinions on this. While getting in the water regularly is an important way to improve your skills, what you get out of each dive is much more important that the number you do. But at the end of the day, it's up to you to decide which to log as a "dive".

As far as pool dives go, again that's personal preference. I choose not to log those, and my computer software has a button to let me ignore them. Yours may have the same feature if you want to use it.

 

[katwoman]

Sure do

He he...wanna see the size of my logbook, baby?


Hey Sushi Boy

I'll take a look. It might be fun!!!

 

[thermo]

Log them ALL

Agencies push this, but unfortunately the log book pages they sell at the same time discourage people from logging dives because no one wants to sit around putting repetitive crap in a book. Just make yourself a simple format, and log all dives even if its a one liner entry that says date, depth, time and maybe your weight. If it's memorable write more, but log them all.

I have two people now who want to do divemaster to which my response was show me the log. Pool dives probably don't count, but if your logging experience in real open water it sure does. Count the lake dives. No one believes people who say "Oh I have hundreds of dives". These are people who get on the boat with me every weekend, and don't know how much weight they need.

It's a recurring theme every weekend. People get on the boat with me, and I say how much weight do you need? They're too lazy to track their own experience, and so then get to the rig to waste half a tank of air discovering they guessed wrong. I can name at least two off the top of my head (and you know who you are) who did this last time I was on the Spree. Actually I wrote their names in my log book.

If you want some page formats text me, and I'll send you some for free in Excel which you can make your own.

 

[Squid]

Thermo -- you raise an awesome point that I picked up already in my SEVEN dives. Weight is a big deal!

I am going to the Clear Spring Scuba Park event to work on bouyancy, descending and ascending skills.

I hate to tie a buddy up with this, unless there is someone who just wants to practice going down --- then getting negative --- then coming back up. Of course I will also explore and do fun stuff.

In the classroom setting you don't want to waste a lot of people's time so I just overweighted so I wouldn't be the guy who holds people up.

Now my Advance Class is this weekend and I will work with the instructor and get more tips.

I did experiment in my OW Class with tanks weights and ankle weight to try and see how those affected me. But I never did really throw some weight up on the platform and add and take away to really tweak it.

I want to learn how to go down with the least amount of weight possible and still be able to have a decent controllable and restfull Safety Stop.

I have caught on that everything affects the weight choice from wetsuit thickness, salt water, etc. I just need these lake dives to practice where I can feel it out so when I am on a big dollar dive I get my money's worth.

But so far it seems simple ... get to where you float with a full breath at mask level - let out your breath and sink and then add 5 for the empty tank (80 size).

I know me - I will add 7 instead of the 5 just in case, but that defeats the purpose.

 

[GWNDWN]

Since I'm lazy

I went out and bought a Sensus Ultra....if i want to log the dive i take it with me. Then i just upload it into my Scubase Logbook software.....If I want to add more details then I can if not I still have depth, temp, time...etc.

 

[Skyjunky]

The amount of weight you wear now will change as you dive more and get comfortable. You might dial it in at 15lbs this weekend. 50 dives later it might be 5.

 

[thermo]

I went out and bought a Sensus Ultra....if i want to log the dive i take it with me. Then i just upload it into my Scubase Logbook software.....If I want to add more details then I can if not I still have depth, temp, time...etc.

I always thought you'd taken leave of your Sensus.

 

[GWNDWN]

That's why I had to buy it.

 

[Pink Pirate]

Advance Class is this weekend and I will work with the instructor and get more tips.

I did experiment in my OW Class with tanks weights and ankle weight to try and see how those affected me. But I never did really throw some weight up on the platform and add and take away to really tweak it.

I want to learn how to go down with the least amount of weight possible and still be able to have a decent controllable and restfull Safety Stop.

I have caught on that everything affects the weight choice from wetsuit thickness, salt water, etc. I just need these lake dives to practice where I can feel it out so when I am on a big dollar dive I get my money's worth.

But so far it seems simple ... get to where you float with a full breath at mask level - let out your breath and sink and then add 5 for the empty tank (80 size).

I know me - I will add 7 instead of the 5 just in case, but that defeats the purpose.

Squid, if you really want to get a good idea of you weighting and bouyancy, try taking the Peak performance bouancy class. The class is designed to work on those very skills you say you want to tweak.