Altitude diving is completely different from diving in the ocean, no matter where you go. Aquatic life is unique, underwater geology often displays fascinating features, and in some locations, visibility is nearly endless. Whether you’re new to diving and plan to spend most of your bottom time in mountain lakes, or if you are planning to take a holiday to a destination where you’ll be diving at altitude, you’ll find these tips helpful.
Equipment Considerations - Altitude Diving Tips
There are a number of equipment considerations which need to be made when diving at altitude.
- Different gauges behave differently. Know what your gauges will do when you reach altitude. If you’re not sure, talk to the manufacturer or a knowledgeable retailer or dive shop employee.
- Your dive computer might or might not automatically adjust for altitude. If it doesn’t, it may be manually adjusted. Some models cannot be adjusted for altitude, making a thorough understanding of dive tables even more important.
- You may be more buoyant at altitude due to air trapped inside tiny spaces in neoprene wetsuit fabric. Be sure to do a buoyancy check before you dive.
Ascension and Safety Stops - Altitude Diving Tips
When ascending from depth at altitude, do so at a rate of no more than thirty feet per minute. Do not skip safety stops. They’re absolutely mandatory when diving at altitude.
Special Medical Concerns - Altitude Diving Tips
Decompression sickness remains a concern for those diving at altitude. You will need to take additional precautions against hypothermia in most cases, and you’ll also need to be on guard for hypoxia. Mountain sickness and other illnesses including tick-borne diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever might be a concern too. Know the risks for your destination and take precautions during the travel planning stage to increase your safety margin.
Basic Acclimation Rules - Altitude Diving Tips
When planning to dive at altitude, give your body at least six hours to acclimatize after reaching your destination, or take special precautions by adjusting your dive profiles to accommodate the nitrogen your system contains. If you are diving at an elevation of greater than 8,000 feet, do not skip the six-hour wait.
Be Conservative When Planning - Altitude Diving Tips
When planning your dives using charts or tables, take a conservative stance when rounding numbers, whether up or down. Err on the side of caution.
Make no more than two dives daily when altitude diving, whether you’re at 1,000 feet or 10,000 feet. In addition, never make repetitive dives at different altitudes without giving your body time to adjust. Wait six hours between dives if you are moving from one altitude to another.
There is very little test data concerning altitude diving, driving to a higher altitude after diving, or flying after diving at altitude. Use caution and be conservative when switching altitudes after diving. It’s best to wait at least 24 hours to fly, even if your dive profiles were conservative ones.
While altitude diving is fun, the risks associated should be carefully weighed, and you should always give your body time to adjust. If you’re planning to dive at altitude, consider taking an altitude diver specialty course, and never dive outside the limits of your training. By maintaining awareness and focusing on safety, you’ll keep your risk of developing dive-related illness low while enjoying your holiday.