Certain aspects are directed to capturing data regarding physical states associated with a perforating string. In one aspect, a sensing tool is provided. The sensing tool includes at least one sensor and a processor positioned in an isolated chamber of the sensing tool. The processor samples data from the sensor at a first sampling rate associated with the deployment of a perforating string. The data is associated with at least one parameter with respect to the perforating string. The processor detects a trigger condition associated with a perforation operation of the perforating string. The processor switches to a second sampling rate in response to detecting the trigger condition. The second sampling rate is greater than the first sampling rate and is associated with the perforation operation. The processor samples data at the second sampling rate for a period of time in which the perforation operation is at least partially performed.