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.

Who this course is for:

• The certified diver looking to experience scuba diving in high mountain lakes safely by applying what they learn during this course

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent or current enrollment in one of those courses
• Minimum age 18, 10 with parental consent

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

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:

• The diving activities approximate those of training
• The areas of activities approximate those of training
• Environmental conditions approximate those of training

*Note: Junior divers (ages 10-14) must participate in Altitude diving activities with a parent, guardian, or dive professional.

Also, the SDI Altitude Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the 

SDI Altitude Diver minimum requirements:

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