Slates & Logbooks

Wrist slates work best for most recreational divers u2014 they strap to your forearm so you can write and read without holding anything, keeping your hands free for buoyancy. Full-size clip-on slates allow more writing space and are popular with dive instructors for student briefings. For dive sites like Mabul where guides direct attention to small critters, a wrist slate lets you quickly note compass bearings or sketch a route without interrupting the dive.

Dive slates use a white PVC or coated surface and a pencil (usually a standard graphite pencil). Writing is permanent until erased u2014 use the pencil's eraser or a fingernail. Do not use a pen or marker. The surface is reusable indefinitely if not scratched. A tip: number the slate sections lightly in pencil before a dive so you and your buddy have a reference system for pointing to pre-agreed signals.

Underwater dive computers like some Garmin and Suunto models display message functions, but a dedicated write-on slate is still faster for freeform communication. DiverSync and similar apps exist for surface use only. Waterproof paper notebooks (Rite in the Rain style) are used by researchers and technical divers for detailed note-taking. For recreational buddies in Malaysia, a wrist slate remains the most practical and affordable option.

Both PADI and SSI logbooks record the same core data u2014 site name, max depth, bottom time, visibility, temperature, and buddy information. The PADI logbook has instructor certification sections pre-printed; the SSI version integrates with the SSI app for digital backup. If your certification is PADI-based, the PADI logbook matches your cert card and dive shop records. Neither is restricted to use only at affiliated operators u2014 any logbook accepted by your instructor or dive operator is valid.

Record the specific entry point name, not just the site u2014 Sipadan has named entry points like South Point, Barracuda Point, and Turtle Patch. Note current direction and strength, which reef they were on, and any notable wildlife encounters with descriptions precise enough to be taxonomically useful later. Water temperature at 30 metres at Layang-Layang differs meaningfully from the surface temperature, and this data is useful when planning exposure suits for future trips.

Waterproof logbook covers u2014 typically made from EVA or polycarbonate u2014 are sold as accessories and clip to your BCD or fit in a BCD pocket. They protect against surface splash and rain at the dive site but are not rated for submersion unless specifically marked as waterproof. On Semporna liveaboards where decks are perpetually wet, a waterproof cover is worth using to protect weeks of logged dives from spray.