User Guide

๐Ÿคฟ Diver User Guide

Everything you need to book dives, log dives, and stay connected with the diving community.

Version 1.0 ยท May 2026
๐Ÿ“„ Diver User Guide โ€” PDF & Word Download the full guide to read offline or share with your dive club.

๐Ÿš€ 1. Getting Started

Create your free ScubaDiverLink account in under two minutes. All you need is an email address. A 14-day free trial is included automatically โ€” no credit card required to sign up.

1.1 Creating Your Account

To create an account:

  1. Go to scubadiverlink.com and click Sign Up.
  2. Enter your name, email address, and a strong password.
  3. Click Create Account โ€” you will receive a verification email within a few minutes.
  4. Click the link in the email to verify your address. You must verify before logging in.
Tip: Check your spam folder if the verification email doesn't arrive within 5 minutes.

1.2 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

ScubaDiverLink uses mandatory MFA on every login. When you sign in you will be asked for a 6-digit code. Choose your preferred method in Settings โ†’ Security:

MethodHow it works
Email OTPA code is emailed to your address. Best if you don't have your phone handy.
SMSA code is texted to your mobile number. Fast and convenient.
WhatsAppA code is sent via WhatsApp. Requires WhatsApp installed on your phone.
Authenticator AppGenerate codes with Google Authenticator, Authy, or any TOTP app. Most secure โ€” works offline.

1.3 Verifying Your Email

After registration, ScubaDiverLink sends a verification email from noreply@scubadiverlink.com. Click the Verify Email button inside.

If the link has expired, log in and go to Settings โ†’ Security โ†’ Resend Verification.

๐Ÿ“Š 2. Your Dashboard

The Dashboard (Overview) gives you a quick snapshot of your activity and quick links to key areas.

2.1 Overview Page

The Overview page shows your personal stats at a glance:

  • Upcoming trips โ€” bookings in confirmed or pending status.
  • Dives logged โ€” total entries in your dive log.
  • Profile completion โ€” percentage of your diving profile filled in.
  • Quick-access buttons to Search Trips, My Dive Log, and My Profile.

๐Ÿ‘ค 3. My Profile

Your profile stores your personal information, profile photo, and the list of operators and trips you have saved for later.

3.1 Personal Info

Edit your display name, phone number, country, and bio. Click Save at the bottom of the tab to apply changes.

3.2 Profile Photo

Upload a profile photo (JPEG or PNG, max 5 MB). Your photo appears on your public diver profile and next to your name in bookings and reviews. Drag and drop your image or click Browse to select.

3.3 Saved Businesses & Trips

Any operator, shop, or trip you heart-save from a profile or search page appears here. Click a card to return to that listing. Click the filled heart icon to remove it from your saved list.

๐ŸŽ“ 4. Diving Profile

Your Diving Profile is visible to operators when you book a trip. A complete profile builds trust and may allow you to skip paperwork at check-in.

4.1 Experience

Enter your total logged dives, years of experience, maximum depth, and any specialties. This information is shared with operators when you make a booking.

4.2 Certifications

Add all of your diving certifications:

  1. Click Add Certification and select the agency (PADI, SSI, NAUI, CMAS, etc.) and level.
  2. Enter your certification number and issue date.
  3. Optionally upload a photo of your certification card (JPEG/PNG, max 2 MB) โ€” stored securely and shared only with operators you book with.
Verified badge: Certifications marked as verified show a green badge on your profile. Operators may use this to pre-approve your booking.

4.3 Dive Types

Select the dive types you enjoy or are qualified for. These are used to filter your matched trips in the Vacation Schedule feature and help operators understand your interests.

4.4 My Equipment

Log your personal gear inventory โ€” dive computers, BCDs, back plates, regulators, wetsuits, fins, and more. For each item, record the brand, model, and serial number. This helps with insurance claims and equipment hire decisions.

๐Ÿ““ 5. Dive Log

Your digital logbook. Record every dive, import from popular dive computers, and track your statistics over time.

5.1 Logging a Dive Manually

Click + New Log Entry and fill in the form:

FieldDescription
Date & TimeDate and entry time of the dive.
SiteName of the dive site (required).
LocationCity or country.
Max DepthDeepest point of the dive in metres.
DurationBottom time in minutes.
Dive TypeReef, wreck, cave, drift, night, shore, boat, etc.
BuddyName(s) of your dive buddy or buddies.
VisibilityUnderwater visibility in metres.
Water TempWater temperature in ยฐC.
Gas / TanksGas mix, start & end pressure (bar).
Rating1โ€“5 star rating for the dive site.
NotesFree-text notes, marine life observations, etc.

5.2 Importing from a Dive Computer

ScubaDiverLink supports importing dives from the following formats:

  • Garmin FIT / CSV โ€” export from Garmin Dive or Garmin Connect.
  • Suunto SML / XML โ€” export from Suunto DM5 via File โ†’ Export.
  • Shearwater XML โ€” export from Shearwater Desktop.
  • Mares Dive Organizer CSV
  • Scubapro LogTrak CSV / UDDF
  • Generic CSV โ€” use the SDL template: date, site, location, max_depth, duration, dive_type, buddy, visibility, water_temp, psi_start, psi_end, rating, gas_mix, notes, dive_number
  • UDDF โ€” depths in metres, temperature in Kelvin (auto-converted), duration in seconds.

After uploading, a preview table shows your dives before import. Review and deselect any duplicates, then click Import Selected.

5.3 Stats

The Stats tab automatically calculates your lifetime dive statistics: total dives, deepest dive, total bottom time, average depth, monthly activity, depth distribution, top sites, and favourite buddies.

๐Ÿ” 6. Searching & Booking Trips

Browse thousands of dive trips worldwide. Filter by location, type, date, depth, and certification. Book directly through the platform with a secure deposit.

6.1 Finding Trips

Go to Search from the main navigation. Use the filters panel to narrow results:

  • Location โ€” type a city, country, or region.
  • Trip Type โ€” reef, wreck, cave, liveaboard, day trip, course, snorkel, freediving, technical, charter.
  • Date range โ€” search for trips departing within a specific window.
  • Certification level โ€” filter to trips that match your certifications.
  • Price range โ€” set a minimum and maximum price per seat.

6.2 Viewing an Operator or Shop Profile

Click an operator or shop name anywhere on the platform to view their full profile: about section, certifications accepted, amenities, equipment, upcoming trips, reviews, and contact options. Click the heart icon in the header to save them to your Saved list.

6.3 Booking a Trip

ScubaDiverLink uses a request-to-book model โ€” you request a spot, the operator reviews and confirms, and then payment is collected. This ensures operators can vet divers before they appear on the manifest.

  1. Open the trip page and click Request to Book.
  2. Select the number of seats, add any special requests (e.g. dietary needs, equipment assistance), and click Submit Request.
  3. Your booking is created with a Pending status. The operator is notified and will review your profile and certifications.
  4. Once the operator confirms, you receive an email and SMS/WhatsApp notification with a Pay Now link. The link includes your payment deadline.
  5. Click the link (or open My Trips โ†’ [your booking] โ†’ Pay Balance) and complete payment via Stripe. Your status changes to Confirmed and a QR boarding pass is generated.
Payment deadline: Each operator sets their own balance-due policy. If you don't pay before the deadline, the booking may be automatically cancelled. You will receive reminder notifications before the deadline.

6.4 The Seat Map

The interactive seat map shows the boat layout with available, taken, and your assigned seats highlighted. The legend at the bottom explains each colour. Seat assignment is managed by the operator.

6.5 Signing the Waiver

Most operators require a signed liability waiver before check-in. When a waiver is required, a Sign Waiver panel appears on your trip detail page (My Trips โ†’ click any confirmed booking). To sign:

  1. Read through the full waiver text in the scrollable panel.
  2. In the signature box, draw your signature using your mouse or finger on a touchscreen.
  3. Enter your full legal name in the Full Name field.
  4. Tick the acknowledgement checkbox to confirm you have read and understood the waiver.
  5. Click Sign Waiver. Your signature, name, timestamp, and the waiver text are permanently stored.

Once signed, the waiver panel is replaced with a green Waiver Signed confirmation. Your QR boarding pass becomes available at that point. Operators can see your signed waiver and signature image from their booking management page.

Tip: Sign your waiver as soon as the booking is confirmed โ€” don't leave it until the morning of the trip. Unsigned waivers show on the operator's dashboard and can delay your check-in.

6.6 Paying the Balance

After the operator confirms your request, you receive a payment link by email and notification. You can also pay from within the app:

  1. Go to My Trips โ†’ My Bookings and click the booking.
  2. Tap Pay Now on the trip detail page. You are redirected to the secure Stripe Checkout page.
  3. Complete payment with your card. You receive a receipt by email and your booking status updates to Confirmed.
Deadline enforcement: The platform enforces full payment within 36 hours of departure regardless of the operator's deposit policy. Pay before the deadline shown on your trip page.

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 7. My Trips

Track all your bookings โ€” past, present, and upcoming โ€” manage your vacation schedule, and share your adventures with friends.

7.1 My Bookings

The Bookings tab lists all your trips with their current status:

StatusWhat it means
ConfirmedYour booking and payment are complete. You are on the manifest.
PendingAwaiting operator confirmation or payment completion.
CompletedThe trip has departed. You can now leave a review.
CancelledThe booking was cancelled (by you or the operator).
RefundedA refund has been issued to your original payment method.

7.2 QR Boarding Pass

Once your waiver is signed and payment is complete, a QR code boarding pass is generated automatically. Present it to the operator's crew at the dock for check-in โ€” they scan it to mark you as boarded. You can also find it in the Trip Detail view (see 7.3).

7.3 Trip Detail View

Click any booking in My Trips to open its full detail page. This shows:

  • Seat map โ€” your reserved seats highlighted in blue on the boat layout, with other booked seats and remaining availability shown.
  • QR boarding pass โ€” generated once your waiver is signed and booking is confirmed. Save or screenshot it to show at the dock.
  • Waiver panel โ€” sign or view your signed waiver. Once signed, the panel shows the signed date and confirmation.
  • Payment status โ€” shows your total, balance due, and Pay Now button if payment is outstanding.
  • Weather forecast โ€” an embedded Windy map for your departure location and date.
  • Trip history โ€” completed trips show a Review button. Leave a star rating and comment for the operator.

7.4 Gear Rentals

Rent scuba equipment directly from dive shops through ScubaDiverLink. Go to My Rentals in your account to browse and manage rentals.

Requesting Gear

  1. From a shop's profile or the Rentals page, select the gear items you need (BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins, mask, computer, tank, torch, etc.).
  2. Set the rental period โ€” link it to an upcoming trip booking for automatic date filling, or enter custom start and end dates.
  3. Submit your rental request. The shop is notified and reviews availability.
  4. Once the shop confirms your rental, you receive an email/notification with a Pay Now link.
  5. Click the link to complete payment via Stripe. You receive a rental confirmation with the gear list and pickup instructions.
Gear linked to trips: In My Rentals, equipment is grouped by the trip or date it's linked to, with your soonest upcoming rental at the top. This makes it easy to see what you have confirmed for each dive.
StatusWhat it means
PendingYour request has been sent. Awaiting shop confirmation.
ConfirmedShop has confirmed availability. A Pay Now button will appear to complete payment.
PaidPayment complete. Your gear is reserved for your dates.
CompletedRental period has ended.
CancelledRequest cancelled by you or the shop.

7.6 Browse Trips

The Browse tab gives you a quick trip search directly inside the app โ€” no need to go back to the public search page. Filter by trip type, dates, and destination.

7.7 Saved Trips

Trips you save from the search or operator profile pages appear here. Review them later or click Book to proceed with a booking.

7.8 Vacation Schedule

Tell ScubaDiverLink where and when you will be travelling, and it will automatically alert you when a new trip is published that matches your criteria.

  1. Click + Add Vacation.
  2. Enter your destination (e.g. Maldives, Philippines).
  3. Set your arrival and departure dates.
  4. Select the dive types you are interested in.
  5. Set a search radius (in km) around your destination.
  6. Click Save. You will receive a notification whenever a matching trip is published.

โš™๏ธ 8. Settings

Control your security, notifications, subscription, and account preferences from one place.

8.1 Emergency Contact

Enter the name, relationship, and phone number of someone to contact in an emergency. This information is shared with operators when you make a booking.

8.2 DAN Membership

Enter your Divers Alert Network (DAN) membership number and upload a photo of your DAN card. Operators can see your DAN status on your booking record.

8.3 Notifications

Choose which events trigger a notification and how you receive them (email, SMS, or in-app). Available notification types include booking confirmations, payment reminders, trip departure reminders, new messages from operators, and vacation schedule matches.

8.4 Subscription

ScubaDiverLink Standard is $12 per year for divers. Use promo code DIVER5000 for just $1 in your first year (limited to the first 5,000 sign-ups). Standard unlocks:

  • Unlimited dive log entries.
  • Advanced statistics and export.
  • Priority search placement when operators search for available divers.
  • Exclusive member deals from partner operators.
Free trial: Your 14-day free trial includes all Standard features. No credit card is required during the trial.

8.5 Security (MFA & Password)

Change your MFA method at any time. To set up an Authenticator app:

  1. Select Authenticator App and click Set Up.
  2. Scan the QR code with Google Authenticator, Authy, or a compatible TOTP app.
  3. Enter the 6-digit code shown in your app to confirm setup.

To change your password, go to the Change Password tab. Enter your current password and your new password twice, then click Update Password.

8.6 Platform Updates

Opt in or out of ScubaDiverLink platform announcements, new feature highlights, and diving community newsletters. This does not affect booking or security notifications.

๐Ÿค 9. Dive Buddies

Connect with other divers, find trip companions, and build your dive community on ScubaDiverLink.

9.1 Finding Divers

Browse registered divers by name, location, or certification level. Click a diver card to view their public profile with dive log stats, equipment, and shared dive types.

9.2 Sending a Buddy Request

Click Add Buddy on any diver profile. They will receive a notification. Once they accept, you appear in each other's Buddy lists and can send in-app messages. Your buddy list is visible to operators when reviewing your booking.

9.3 Messaging

Accepted dive buddies can exchange messages directly in ScubaDiverLink. Open a buddy's profile and click Message. You will receive an email notification for new messages (configurable in Settings โ†’ Notifications).

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ 10. Tips & Troubleshooting

10.1 Common Issues

IssueSolution
Didn't receive verification emailCheck your spam folder. Wait 5 minutes. Go to the login page and click Resend Verification Email.
MFA code not workingCodes expire after 10 minutes. Request a new one. For TOTP apps, ensure your phone's clock is synchronised.
Can't pay balanceThe payment deadline set by the operator may have passed. Contact the operator directly.
QR code not showingMake sure your waiver is signed and your deposit payment has been confirmed.
Dive import shows wrong depthsUDDF files use SI units (metres + Kelvin). Garmin CSV uses feet โ€” ScubaDiverLink converts automatically. Check your source app's export settings.

10.2 Getting Help

For further support, visit the Support Centre or contact the operator you booked with directly.

Platformwww.scubadiverlink.com
Loginwww.scubadiverlink.com/login.html
Support Emailsupport@scubadiverlink.com
โ† Back to Support Centre