SDI Altitude

Classroom Course · Diving at Altitude · For Certified Divers

Take your diving to higher ground. The SDI Altitude specialty is a classroom course that teaches you to plan and safely dive high mountain lakes, where the lower surface pressure changes how your tables and computer work. No dives and no gear required, just the knowledge that makes altitude diving safe. It counts as a specialty toward your Advanced Diver rating.

Veterans can put their GI Bill toward their training, and families can use ESA or ClassWallet funds. See if you qualify.

Starting from

$199.00

Availability: Contact us for booking information

Description
Additional Information

SDI Altitude Diver Course

Classroom Course · Diving at Altitude · For Certified Divers

Diving at altitude isn't the same as diving at sea level. Up in the high mountain lakes, the surface pressure is lower, which changes how pressure affects your body and how your dive tables and computer read. This is a classroom course, no dives and no gear required, that teaches you to plan for all of it so you can dive the high country safely. You'll learn the altitude tables, how to correct your depth gauge and computer, and how to build an altitude dive plan from the ground up. It counts as a specialty toward your SDI Advanced Diver rating.

Why altitude is different

Above sea level a few things change, and this course covers all of them:

Lower surface pressure means standard sea-level tables don't apply
You plan with altitude tables (DCIEM, Bühlmann, and cross corrections to the USN tables)
You correct your depth gauge and computer for elevation
You plan for real altitude levels, from 1,000 feet up to 4,000 feet and beyond

What you'll learn

It's practical, planning-focused knowledge you'll use every time you dive above sea level.

Plan an altitude dive with the right tables
Compute your no-decompression limits
Correct your depth gauge and computer for elevation
Understand hypoxia and the altitude levels that matter, from 1,000 to 4,000 feet and beyond

Who it's for

This one is for certified divers, or those finishing their Open Water course, who want to dive the high mountain lakes of Arizona and anywhere else above sea level.

Certified Open Water divers, or those currently enrolled
Minimum age 18, or 10 with parental consent
Divers headed for high-country lakes
Anyone who wants to plan altitude dives safely

✓ What's included

The classroom course with your instructor
Altitude dive planning, tables, and computer corrections
Your SDI Altitude Diver certification
One specialty credit toward your Advanced Diver rating

Good to know

This is a classroom course, no dives and no gear required
You'll come away ready to plan altitude dives on your own
Prerequisite: an Open Water certification, or current enrollment
Enrolled students get a discount on gear and other courses

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a classroom or in-water course?

It's a classroom course, so there are no dives and no gear required. You come away with the knowledge to plan and safely make altitude dives on your own.

What is altitude diving?

Diving above sea level, in high mountain lakes. The higher elevation lowers the surface pressure, which changes how your dive tables and computer work, so altitude dives are planned differently than sea-level dives.

What are the prerequisites?

An SDI Open Water or Junior Open Water certification, or equivalent, and you can even start while you're still enrolled in one of those. Minimum age is 18, or 10 with parental consent.

Why does altitude change how you plan a dive?

At elevation the surface pressure is lower, so standard sea-level tables and computer settings don't apply. You'll learn to correct for it with altitude tables and by adjusting your gauges and computer.

Do I need any gear or dives?

No. Altitude is a classroom course, so there are no dives and no gear to buy or rent. You just need to be a certified Open Water diver, or currently enrolled in the course.

Where does this apply?

Anywhere you dive above sea level, including the high mountain lakes of the Southwest. The course gives you the planning knowledge to do it safely.

Does it count toward anything bigger?

Yes, it counts as one specialty toward the SDI Advanced Diver rating.

Let's. Go. Diving.

Planning to dive Arizona's high lakes? Call the shop and we'll get you into the next Altitude class.

Call the shop (480) 881-4013

A classroom specialty course, no dives or gear required, that counts toward the SDI Advanced Diver rating. Prerequisite: an SDI Open Water certification, or current enrollment.

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