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.
Availability: Contact us for booking information
SDI Altitude Diver Course
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?
Is this a classroom or in-water course?
What is altitude diving?
What is altitude diving?
What are the prerequisites?
What are the prerequisites?
Why does altitude change how you plan a dive?
Why does altitude change how you plan a dive?
Do I need any gear or dives?
Do I need any gear or dives?
Where does this apply?
Where does this apply?
Does it count toward anything bigger?
Does it count toward anything bigger?
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) 881-4013A 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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