Altitude Diver Specialty
Take Your Diving to New Heights
Not all great diving happens at sea level. Some of the most beautiful and unique dive sites in the world are located in mountain lakes, high-elevation reservoirs, and inland quarries. The PADI Altitude Diver Specialty Course teaches you the skills and knowledge needed to safely plan and conduct dives at elevations above 1,000 feet (300 meters).
Altitude diving presents unique challenges that require specialized training, including changes in pressure, dive planning, buoyancy, and decompression considerations. This course will prepare you to confidently explore high-altitude dive sites anywhere your adventures take you.
Availability: Contact us for booking information
What You'll Learn
- How altitude affects diving physics and physiology
- Altitude-specific dive planning and procedures
- Adjusting dive tables and dive computers for elevation
- Proper buoyancy control in freshwater environments
- Equipment considerations for altitude diving
- Entry and exit techniques for mountain lakes and reservoirs
- Emergency procedures and safety considerations
- Environmental awareness and conservation practices
Course Prerequisites
- PADI Open Water Diver certification (or qualifying certification from another organization)
- Minimum age: 10 years old
Course Includes
- PADI Altitude Diver eLearning
- Instructor-led knowledge review
- Open water altitude training dives
- Hands-on altitude dive planning exercises
- PADI Altitude Diver Specialty certification upon successful completion
Why Take This Course?
Altitude diving allows you to:
- Safely dive mountain lakes, reservoirs, and inland dive sites
- Expand your diving opportunities while traveling
- Gain a deeper understanding of dive theory and decompression
- Improve your dive planning skills
- Explore unique underwater environments that many divers overlook
For divers in the Midwest and beyond, altitude diving skills can be especially valuable when exploring inland lakes, quarries, and destinations in mountainous regions. Understanding the differences between sea-level and altitude diving helps ensure every dive is both safe and enjoyable.
Whether you're planning a trip to a high-altitude destination or simply want to broaden your diving knowledge, the PADI Altitude Diver Specialty Course provides the training you need to dive confidently above sea level.