Certified at altitude in South Africa

[Tromp]

My wife, daughter (10 years old) and I all got certified this weekend. MY daughter was brilliant; on the last dive she was playing around and swimming after fish like she was born in the water. As we live in Johannesburg which is at an altitude of about 5000 ft we needed to do some conversions on the PADI dive tables but its not that difficult. We live about 900 mile from Sodwana Bay so we are leaving on Wednesday October 5 to do our first sea dive! Can’t wait. Sodwana for those how don’t know is one of the worlds premier dive sites. We will only be diving 2 mile reef which avg 12-16 meter (52ft). will let you know how it went.

 

[Firebrand]

Congratulations! Have fun on your outing. Remember that seawater is denser than freshwater, so take extra weights.

 

[DandyDon]

:medal: Great news!

Ascending to 5,000 feet after diving has its own challeges, you know. I hope you are planning on a 12 to 18 hour wait before doing so?

 

[JeffG]

:medal: Great news!

Ascending to 5,000 feet after diving has its own challeges, you know. I hope you are planning on a 12 to 18 hour wait before doing so?

Please... :lol3:

 

[DandyDon]

Please... :lol3:

Now what...?

I did not go to the other room and review the suggestions from my NOAA manual, so I certainly could be off here. Since you seem to possess such superior knowledge, would you like to enlighten this new diver - and me as well?

 

[JeffG]

Now what...?

I did not go to the other room and review the suggestions from my NOAA manual, so I certainly could be off here. Since you seem to possess such superior knowledge, would you like to enlighten this new diver - and me as well?

Don, I thought you were taking technical training.

Here's some thoughts.

Tell me the equivalent depth of water he will ascend to.

How much time will it take him to get there?

What is his ascent rate?

But if you’re still unsure...wait the 18 hrs.

 

[scubaculture]

Hi Tromp!

Welcome to the board, good to have another South African here! I am also in Joburg, let me know if you ever want to have a few casual dives at bass or Miracle

Cheers
Wade

 

[SA-Diver]

I have done the trip to Sodwana about 12 times in the last 2 years.
we dive on the Sunday morning - usually a shallow dive on 2 mile reef (less than 18m).

After breakfast we then drive back to Johannesburg/Pretoria (a drive of about 7 hours) and an ascent to 1500m.

Thousands of divers do this every year, I have heard of a few that were bent, but have no idea what their dive profiles were and whether they were pushing the limits a bit.

Tromp, enjoy the trip and please do not worry about waiting 12 to 18 hours before driving back home (of course this changes if you are flying which is unlikely).

Ask to dive Coral Garden on 2 mile reef if you can.

Have fun.

Kobus

 

[JeffG]

I have heard of a few that were bent, but have no idea what their dive profiles were and whether they were pushing the limits a bit.

If they got "bent" doing that drive, I would bet any money they were bent before they started.

 

[DandyDon]

I have done the trip to Sodwana about 12 times in the last 2 years.
we dive on the Sunday morning - usually a shallow dive on 2 mile reef (less than 18m).

After breakfast we then drive back to Johannesburg/Pretoria (a drive of about 7 hours) and an ascent to 1500m.

Thousands of divers do this every year, I have heard of a few that were bent, but have no idea what their dive profiles were and whether they were pushing the limits a bit.

Tromp, enjoy the trip and please do not worry about waiting 12 to 18 hours before driving back home (of course this changes if you are flying which is unlikely).

Ask to dive Coral Garden on 2 mile reef if you can.

Have fun.

Kobus

Good to have the voice of a local, experienced diver adding reason here. I did get off my butt, find my NOAA manual, and see that the suggestions there can run only as much as 12 hours after a 50 foot dive. But then, I don't know the road, so it could take that long before one would reach that elevation?

I dived Santa Rosa New Mexico at 5,000 feet this weekend, and there are always Colorado divers there who expect to cross an 8,000 foot pass shortly after leaving, but they always spend a few hours on paperwork, gear, lunch before heading out for that 3,000 foot increase.