Divebum Don
Contributor
I'm gonna dive a lake at about 8,500 feet, and a slightly lower one. Can't I just brush up and use an altitude table?
Do I really need an Altitude Cert?
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fnfalman
Contributor
Don't see why not...unless you want to collect another card from PADI.
Break out the altitude table or switch your computer on. Hehe.
Break out the altitude table or switch your computer on. Hehe.
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Who is going to stop you? BTW, hang out at the lake for a day before you dive or you will be starting out preloaded with N2.
Stay conservative and be sure not to go over any high passes after you dive.
Lowviz has it correct; a person at sea level has more nitrogen saturated in them. Someone who is equilibrated to altitude will be saturated at a lower ambient pressure, and thus have less N2 in their body.
For the person just arrived from sea level, this extra nitrogen has the effect of giving the diver "bottom time" before they even get in the water, or, preloaded. Granted the effect is small unless you are pushing towards deco.
In the late 70's I was a test subject in the Bell-Borgwardt high altitude dive table study. One of the items investigated was the effect of varying ascent rates on nitrogen loading, and it was found that rapid ascent rates led to less available bottom time. (In fact, the time to get from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe by car was humorously acronymed the "California Ascent Rate", or C.A.R.).
...In general, I agree with most posters, that a general brushup and using altitude tables (and/or) computer set for altitude will be just fine. There are no scuba police that will deny you entry into the lake because you're lacking such a cert. However, a good class (not just a regurgitation of book materials) will pass on the little gems such as ascent to altitude rate, effects of mountain passes after diving, computer altitude compensation & depth readouts, etc.
All the best, James
For the person just arrived from sea level, this extra nitrogen has the effect of giving the diver "bottom time" before they even get in the water, or, preloaded. Granted the effect is small unless you are pushing towards deco.
In the late 70's I was a test subject in the Bell-Borgwardt high altitude dive table study. One of the items investigated was the effect of varying ascent rates on nitrogen loading, and it was found that rapid ascent rates led to less available bottom time. (In fact, the time to get from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe by car was humorously acronymed the "California Ascent Rate", or C.A.R.).
...In general, I agree with most posters, that a general brushup and using altitude tables (and/or) computer set for altitude will be just fine. There are no scuba police that will deny you entry into the lake because you're lacking such a cert. However, a good class (not just a regurgitation of book materials) will pass on the little gems such as ascent to altitude rate, effects of mountain passes after diving, computer altitude compensation & depth readouts, etc.
All the best, James
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Divebum Don
Contributor
Thank You Wise ones!
...and fnfal, following your lead, I'm heading to New Mex in Aug (work/vacation :cool2
, and Blue Hole is the lower jump, Eagles Nest Lake is the high one.
...and fnfal, following your lead, I'm heading to New Mex in Aug (work/vacation :cool2
, and Blue Hole is the lower jump, Eagles Nest Lake is the high one.
Tjack
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Eagles Nest Lake hunh? I live an hour away and had never thought of diving there. What have you heard about it?
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Divebum Don
Contributor
T,
All I know is I'll be remodeling a 2 story house on the lake, to be converted to a B & B. My Bro's house is an hour away, we'll stay onsite at the lake most of the month. Can't wait for some New Mex grub!!! Come on out... Also I'll need to find a fill station near by (if any) if the diving's fun enough for a few jumps.
All I know is I'll be remodeling a 2 story house on the lake, to be converted to a B & B. My Bro's house is an hour away, we'll stay onsite at the lake most of the month. Can't wait for some New Mex grub!!! Come on out... Also I'll need to find a fill station near by (if any) if the diving's fun enough for a few jumps.
OP
Divebum Don
Contributor
T,
All I know is I'll be remodeling a 2 story house on the lake, to be converted to a B & B. My Bro's house is an hour away, we'll stay onsite at the lake most of the month. Can't wait for some New Mex grub!!! Come on out... Also I'll need to find a fill station near by (if any) if the diving's fun enough for a few jumps.
All I know is I'll be remodeling a 2 story house on the lake, to be converted to a B & B. My Bro's house is an hour away, we'll stay onsite at the lake most of the month. Can't wait for some New Mex grub!!! Come on out... Also I'll need to find a fill station near by (if any) if the diving's fun enough for a few jumps.
fnfalman
Contributor
I haven't heard of any local diver going at it at Eagle Nest Lake. I've heard of diving at Perch Lake, which isn't far from The Blue Hole.
The crawdads at the Blue Hole are mean suckers. They'd raise their claws at you even when you're 10-ft above them.
The crawdads at the Blue Hole are mean suckers. They'd raise their claws at you even when you're 10-ft above them.
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