CORNWALL SCUBA FIELD GUIDE
Altitude Diver: Explore Where Few Divers Ever Go
A PADI Altitude Diver Specialty that teaches how to plan and execute safe dives above 300 meters / 1,000 feet, useful for divers who want to access mountain lakes and high‑elevation wrecks.
Altitude Diver: Explore Where Few Divers Ever Go.
Diving at elevations higher than 300 metres / 1,000 feet above sea level opens a rarely visited underwater realm: crystal‑clear mountain lakes and well‑preserved wrecks set against dramatic high‑country scenery. The PADI Altitude Diver Specialty covers how altitude affects planning and decompression, teaches specialized table and computer considerations, and gives divers the skills to make safe, confident dives away from the crowds.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Crystal‑clear alpine lakes
Altitude diving opens access to pristine mountain lakes where visibility, cold water, and high elevation create a distinct underwater environment few ocean divers experience.
Specialized planning and computer considerations
The specialty teaches how altitude changes dive planning and decompression profiles, including the use of specialized tables and dive‑computer settings designed for high‑elevation diving.
Historic wrecks and uncrowded dive spots
Altitude diving grants access to historic, well‑preserved wrecks and other high‑elevation sites that are rarely visited, offering unique exploration opportunities away from crowded coastal dive sites.
What the day feels like
What the course feels like
The Altitude Diver Specialty pairs classroom instruction with in‑water practice so you learn how altitude affects dives, how to apply specialized tables and computer settings, and how to plan safe ascents, descents, and emergency procedures for high‑elevation environments.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The course addresses specialized dive tables and dive‑computer considerations for altitude diving; be prepared to work with those planning tools during classroom and in‑water sessions.
The specialty is delivered as classroom instruction plus two dives.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What is altitude diving?
Altitude diving refers to diving at elevations higher than 300 metres / 1,000 feet above sea level, including mountain lakes and high‑elevation wrecks.
What will I learn in the Altitude Diver Specialty?
You will learn how altitude affects dive planning and decompression, how to use specialized dive tables and adjust dive computers for altitude, proper travel procedures to and from altitude, and techniques for safe ascents, descents, and emergency planning.
Who can take this course?
PADI (Junior) Open Water Divers may take the specialty; the minimum age is 10 years old.
How long does the course take?
The course format is a classroom session plus two dives.
Why take the Altitude Diver Specialty?
The specialty teaches the skills needed to access unique, high‑elevation dive sites—pristine lakes and preserved wrecks—while learning to plan and conduct dives safely in these environments.
Who operates this course and where is it offered?
This Altitude Diver offering is run by Scuba Shack Divers in Cornwall, Connecticut, United States.