Speciality Courses » Altitude Diver

While the majority of diving does take place in the ocean environment, many excellent dive sites exist inland in freshwater lakes. In order to safely dive in these lakes that are above 300 meters of altitude, we are required to follow special rules and also use special tables to calculate our dives. Even diving in a lake that is at relatively low altitude such as Lake Taupo can have a great effect on our dive calculations.

The PADI Altitude Diver Specialty course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to dive this unique aquatic environment. This course is very important because there are many sites in New Zealand where we need to drive over mountain ranges in order to get home ( and that means going up to altitude after diving). The reduction in ambient pressure could result in Decompression Illness! As safe divers this course is STRONGLY recommended!

This course covers:

Planning, organisation, procedures, techniques, problems and hazards of altitude diving
Special recreational dive planner procedures that must be followed
Overview of the physical aspects of the fresh water, altitude aquatic environment
Cause, signs, symptoms, and prevention of hypoxia and hypothermia while altitude diving

Course Details

Prerequisites:

PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent
12 Years of age or older
Up to date divers medical within the 12 months

Course duration:

Two open water dives