If you’d like to rise up, join PADI’s Altitude Diver program. To participate, you’ll need your PADI Open Water Diver (PADI Junior Open Water Diver or equivalent) certification and be at least 12 years of age.

Altitude diving ranges from 300 to 3000 metres/1000 to 10000 feet above sea level. The program includes two open water dives (which may be completed in one day). You’ll conduct all open water dives using the special altitude rules and procedures for the Recreational Dive Planner. The program teaches you the knowledge, skills and techniques for altitude diving.

The following is included in the program:

• Planning, organization, procedures, techniques, problems and hazards of altitude diving.
• Special Recreational Dive Planner procedures that must be followed when diving at altitudes above 300 metres/1000 feet.
• Safety stops and emergency decompression procedures.
• Special equipment, descent lines and buoyancy control considerations.
• Limited visibility diving and underwater navigation techniques.
• Overview of the physical aspects of the fresh water, altitude aquatic environment.
• Cause, signs, symptoms, and prevention of hypoxia and hypothermia while altitude diving.

The elective Altitude Dive from the Adventures In Diving program may be counted toward this specialty at the discretion of the instructor conducting the specialty program.

If diving in the mountains sounds like an adventure you’d like to try, contact Saguaro Sports for more information.