Question Altitude Diving class in SoCal

[ZephyrNYC]

Good morning, everybody.

I'll be visiting Utah next week and I might be diving Flaming Gorge with a group, which is at 6,040' ASL. I've never been diving at altitude or in a lake before.

I contacted the shop in Salt Lake City that is hosting the dive, more than once. They don't have an altitude diving class scheduled.

I've contacted multiple shops in SoCal and even one in Baja. I visited one of my favorite shops in San Diego: They aren't currently teaching an altitude diving class even though it's listed on their website.

I know that I can simply change the elevation on the computer or let the computer detect the elevation but I want to play it safe.

Does anyone here know of an instructor in SoCal (or in Utah) who can teach an altitude diving class by next week?

 

[DiveLikeAMuppet]

You can read US Navy diving manual online for free. You will learn far more about diving than the random instructor regurgitating a PADI booklet might know.

Seriously, if there was any business in the class people would be teaching it

 

[boulderjohn]

I was recently told by a dive shop in Colorado Springs that they use my article on at altitude diving as their sole text for their altitude specialty. It was reproduced in the ScubaBoard Knowledge Base.

Info Thread 'Diving at Altitude'

Jan 29, 2018

Diving at Altitude

Diving at altitude demands adjustments to the procedures used at sea level. With moderate increases in altitude and with shallower dives, the differences can be minor, even minor enough to be ignored. As altitude and depth increase, the need for concern grows. There are three primary reasons for this.

1. In cases where the diver has ascended to altitude, the diver begins the first dive with residual nitrogen from change in altitude, so it is similar to having done a dive already.​

2. Decompression sickness depends largely upon the difference in...​

• boulderjohn
• Replies: 30
• Forum: ScubaBoard Knowledge Base

• 

 

[ZephyrNYC]

I was recently told by a dive shop in Colorado Springs that they use my article on altitude diving as their sole text for their altitude specialty. It was reproduced in the ScubaBoard Knowledge Base.

Info Thread 'Diving at Altitude'

Jan 29, 2018

Diving at Altitude

Diving at altitude demands adjustments to the procedures used at sea level. With moderate increases in altitude and with shallower dives, the differences can be minor, even minor enough to be ignored. As altitude and depth increase, the need for concern grows. There are three primary reasons for this.

1. In cases where the diver has ascended to altitude, the diver begins the first dive with residual nitrogen from change in altitude, so it is similar to having done a dive already.​

2. Decompression sickness depends largely upon the difference in...​

• boulderjohn
• Replies: 30
• Forum: ScubaBoard Knowledge Base

• 

Thanks a lot!

 

[inquis]

I want to play it safe.

For that altitude, ocean equivalents are ~21% deeper. 50 ft fresh water would be equivalent to 50*1.21=61 ft sea water. Safety stop at 12 ffw at altitude would be equivalent to 15 fsw.

The drive after the dive is a consideration, but the shop hosting the dive should be able to give you an idea of elevation gain and required delay in departure (if any).

 

[boulderjohn]

You can read US Navy diving manual online for free.

It has very little information about diving at altitude.

 

[ZephyrNYC]

I was recently told by a dive shop in Colorado Springs that they use my article on at altitude diving as their sole text for their altitude specialty. It was reproduced in the ScubaBoard Knowledge Base.

Info Thread 'Diving at Altitude'

Jan 29, 2018

Diving at Altitude

Diving at altitude demands adjustments to the procedures used at sea level. With moderate increases in altitude and with shallower dives, the differences can be minor, even minor enough to be ignored. As altitude and depth increase, the need for concern grows. There are three primary reasons for this.

1. In cases where the diver has ascended to altitude, the diver begins the first dive with residual nitrogen from change in altitude, so it is similar to having done a dive already.​

2. Decompression sickness depends largely upon the difference in...​

• boulderjohn
• Replies: 30
• Forum: ScubaBoard Knowledge Base

• 

By the way, John, are you receiving a commission? If so, what's the link to sign up for their class?

 

[boulderjohn]

By the way, John, are you receiving a commission? If so, what's the link to sign up for their class?

I don't get a commission. I have nothing to do with the shop. I met an instructor one day while diving at a place called Rock Lake in New Mexico, and he told me about it.

I don't think you need the class. Just read the materials and send me a DM if you need any help.