Guide · Beginners
How to Fill Out a Scuba Log Book: A Beginner's Guide
Every scuba log book has the same core fields. If you've just finished your Open Water course, this is exactly what to record after every dive — and how a digital dive log can fill most of it in for you.
Why the log book matters
Your log is proof of experience for future courses, charters and jobs. It also builds real diving instinct: over dozens of entries you start to spot patterns in air consumption, cold tolerance and buoyancy. Learning to fill out a scuba log book by hand is part of your training — but once you're certified, a digital tool like DiveLog can automate the numbers and let you focus on the notes that actually matter.
Site & location
Name of the dive site, region and country. Add GPS coordinates if you have them — future you will want to remember exactly where that reef was.
Max & average depth
Copy both from your dive computer. Max depth matters for decompression history; average depth is a better predictor of gas use.
Bottom time & surface interval
Total runtime from descent to surface, and the interval since your last dive. Essential for repetitive-dive planning.
Gas mix & pressure in/out
Air or nitrox percentage, start pressure and end pressure. This is how you calculate your SAC rate over time.
Weights & exposure suit
Kilograms of lead and the suit you wore (3mm, 5mm, drysuit). Getting weight right is the fastest way to improve buoyancy.
Water & air temp
Surface and bottom temperature. Combined with your suit, it tells you what to pack for a similar trip next time.
Conditions & visibility
Current, surge, viz in metres, and sea state. Honest notes here save future buddies from surprises.
Buddy & role
Buddy name, certification level, and whether you led or followed. In a digital log you can link the buddy's profile directly.
The notes section is where the dive lives
Numbers keep you safe; notes keep the memory. Write two or three sentences about what you saw, what surprised you, and one thing you'd do differently. A year later that's what turns a log entry back into a dive.
Common beginner mistakes
- Copying numbers off a dive computer under pressure and mistyping depth or time — a digital import removes the error entirely.
- Forgetting to log short check-out or refresher dives; they count.
- Skipping the weight field because "it was fine". Log it every time and you'll spot the trend when you finally get neutral.
From paper to digital when you're ready
Manual logging teaches you what each field means. Once that's second nature, a digital dive log book like DiveLog imports the profile from your computer, attaches your photos, and lets your buddy sign off from their phone — so the only thing left for you to write is the story.
Log your next dive in DiveLog
Import from your computer, attach photos and share with your buddy — free for your first 20 dives.