Altitude Class Checkout Dives Depth?

[Sano]

How deep does a lake need to be for the altitude class checkout dives?

For reasons way too uninspiring to post, I am looking for local lakes (in a state not known for altitude diving) in which to do the altitude checkout dives. Surprisingly I have found several VERY good candidates and have been able to secure permission from some very amused owners to dive in them. The only concern is that no one seems to know the depth of these lakes.

Thanks

 

[sharkattack]

1 ft. Doesn't matter how deep the dive in a lake should be. If you can get bottom time up at altitude, you have completed a dive at altitude. I limit my max depth in Tahoe to about 40ft for no more than 40 mins with 36%. Way way safe. I also spend a day prior to the dive at altitude and an additional day after the dive before heading back down to sea level.

 

[Dive-aholic]

According to PADI, a training dive must be at least 15 ft and last at least 20 minutes. I'm not sure about other agencies, but I think most have a similar standard.

 

[Diveral]

I don't think you are going to find any that qualifies locally.

 

[Diveral]

Fontana and Hiwassee lakes up in NC and TN will qualify

 

[pir8]

Its the altitude that matters more than the depth.

 

[Sano]

Much to my surprise I have located over 100 sites in Alabama that do qualify. I am actually doing the altitude checkout dives next weekend.

I am down to two possible sites for the checkout dives mostly because of secondary concerns; however there are a couple of other lakes that look VERY promising. It will be a game time decision as to which site I use.

To be honest it started off as a joke (my goal is to actually do an altitude dive in another state), but next week I just may be the first person every altitude certified in Alabama (based upon the initial response I got from the LDS, other divers and lake-owners).

Get high-go deep-Alabama

 

[Diveral]

I am bumfuddled. I might go for a couple that qualify but over 100? Heck there isn't much of Alabama over 1000 ft with a good lake as well.

AL

 

[Sano]

You are not the only one befuddled.

Monte Sano Mountain (my SubaBoard namesake) reaches 1640ft and is far from being the highest point even in Madison County. Although Monte Sano does not even have a pond anymore it did get me thinking.

At first I was only hoping to get lucky and find one lake in Alabama that I could use for the certification dives. I have since identified over 100 named Alabama lakes over 1000ft (although good information on most is little to none). I am guessing that maybe a couple are worth diving (to just claim an altitude dive in Alabama).

My backup lake is in a state park and has a deck in the middle for sunbathers. My primary site is a 22-acre lake set up for swimmers on Federal land with clean campsites, grills, restrooms and showers on site (Bluewater Quarry is 24 acres). The Boy Scouts own a 95-acre lake and there are some other lakes of note. I got written permission from the State and Feds to scuba dive in their lakes last week.

 

[pir8]

I know W Va has Mt Storm.