Diving after high altitudes...

[coffeeisforclosers]

My wife and I just spent a few hours at an elevation of 3500 ft. We came down at 6:30pm and are hoping to dive tomorrow at 9am (two tank dive - first @60 feet, second @ 50 ft.). Are we OK after 14.5 hours? What if we go 85 feet instead of the planned 60?

Thx!

 

[Daryl Morse]

My wife and I just spent a few hours at an elevation of 3500 ft. We came down at 6:30pm and are hoping to dive tomorrow at 9am (two tank dive - first @60 feet, second @ 50 ft.). Are we OK after 14.5 hours? What if we go 85 feet instead of the planned 60?

I'll preface this by stating that I'm not a medical doctor.

That said, there are no issues diving after being at altitude. Having been at 3500 or whatever altitude has no bearing on your dive plans. What you need to be careful about is altitude after diving.

If you do a search, I'm sure you'll find other posts on this topic.

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

The elevation you have been at before a dive has no effect. You can go diving to any depth you wish.

It is only after your dive, when your tissues contain elevated nitrogen, that the lower pressures at elevation could trigger bubble formation and potentially a case of decompression sickness.

Avoid flying or climbing to high elevations for 18 hours after your last dive.

Cheers,
Rohan.

 

[Don Burke]

The only issue that might affect you is dehydration and that is unlikely to be a problem if you have been drinking fluids.

As said above, if you push the tables and then go back to 3,500 feet, you could get yourself in trouble.

 

[trevinkorea]

This is interesting.

Perhaps a little off topic.

Is the actual altitude a factor?

Does this also apply to diving after flying? I've always thought you were supposed to wait 12 or 24 hrs after a flight.

Please confirm or correct this.

Thanks.

 

[teknitroxdiver]

You're supposed to wait 24 hours AFTER diving to fly. There isn't really any 'rules' about diving after altitude (flying or otherwise); really the only concern is if you're dehydrated from the dryer air.

 

[pasley]

This is interesting.

Perhaps a little off topic.

Is the actual altitude a factor?

Does this also apply to diving after flying? I've always thought you were supposed to wait 12 or 24 hrs after a flight.

Please confirm or correct this.

Thanks.

Altittude BEFORE diving is not a problem. Alttidute AFTER diving is. DAN does recommend not diving on the same day after a long flight due to the dehydration and fatique that normally occurs on long flights.

 

[Divedoggie]

I live at 8850 feet. I drive to the airport which is at 5280 feet, and fly to Coz, arriving at 2:00 in the afternoon. My first shore dive is at 4:00 that afternoon, and the next dive is a night dive at around 8:00pm.
I ALWAYS wait at least 24 hours, and sometimes more, before flying and arriving back at altitude.
When we do a 60 ft dive at altitude, and surface at 8900 feet, then there is a completely different set of variables to deal with.
As stated by previous posters, hydrate, be conservative, and don't drive straight back up to 3500 feet.

 

[Bill51]

I live at 8850 feet. I drive to the airport which is at 5280 feet, and fly to Coz, arriving at 2:00 in the afternoon. My first shore dive is at 4:00 that afternoon, and the next dive is a night dive at around 8:00pm.
I ALWAYS wait at least 24 hours, and sometimes more, before flying and arriving back at altitude.
When we do a 60 ft dive at altitude, and surface at 8900 feet, then there is a completely different set of variables to deal with.
As stated by previous posters, hydrate, be conservative, and don't drive straight back up to 3500 feet.

After 21 days at higher altitudes most people have become acclimated enough that their electrolytes and hydration are balanced and they are much less likely to get dehydrated by the only slightly dryer air in a pressurized airliner. I find that just spending several hours per week between 12,000-18,000’, I never notice an airline ride as dehydrating me.

 

[trevinkorea]

Thanks for clearing up the issue of diving after a flight.

I always wondered why I was told this or perhaps misunderstood what the instructor said.