Altitude Diver

The purpose of the SDI Altitude Diver Course is to acquaint a diver with the necessary procedures and knowledge to dive safely at altitudes at least 300 metres/1000 feet above sea level.

What you can expect to learn

The SDI Altitude Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Why we do this type of diving?
• Dive tables as they relate to altitude diving
  • DCIEM tables
  • Bühlmann tables
  • Cross corrections to United States Navy (USN) tables
• Computers
  • Computer’s capability and usage
• Calculations based on cross corrections to USN tables
  • Usage
  • Examples of problems
  • Last dive and travel at higher altitudes
• Correction of depth gauges and computers
  • Gauges designed for 1 atmosphere (ATM)
  • Capillary depth gauge will reflect the actual depth
  • If there is any doubt use measured down line
• Hypoxia during altitude diving
• Levels of altitude:
  • 300 metres/1000 feet SDI Instructor Manual
  • 1200 metres/4000 feet, etc

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• Plan a dive at altitude using appropriate tables
• Compute their no-decompression information
• Test and check all equipment, i.e. depth gauges and bottom timers/watches and computers
• Enter water and descend
• Monitor depth and no-decompression time on slates
• Ascend
• Log dives

Course prerequisites

• Complete all open water requirements efficiently
• Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution