High Diving

Pinkpadigal · Post by **Pinkpadigal** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 11:34 pm

I am planning on doing some lake diving up in the Cascades. Has anyone done any altitude diving??? I am looking for some info about diving above 3000 feet. I know I can set my computer but I want some info to make sure I don't get bent.

The best part of these dives is my gear is going to be so clean!!!

DiverDown · Post by **DiverDown** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 12:06 am

Where did you have in mind? I know that glacier fed lakes are pretty cold. But im up to try it..

Zen Diver v1 · Post by **Zen Diver v1** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 1:12 am

I've done the Altitude Specialty. Best thing you can do to prepare is read that section in the Advanced Manual, and arrive at your destination early so you can offgas. Need to be there at least one hour before entering the water.

(I did mine in Clear Lake, Oregon, can't help with WA lakes, sorry!)

-Valerie

Pinkpadigal · Post by **Pinkpadigal** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 5:06 pm

I am going to dive Mowich Lake on Mt Rainier on Friday. I will give a full report when I get back. I have done a little reading about high diving but this lake is almost 5000 feet so I want to make sure I don't get bent.

Valerie...thanks for the tip. I read some in the Padi Encylopedia but not a lot of info. My computer will adjust for diving in altitude but I also want to make sure I am careful.

As for the cold, I have a drysuit. It should keep me plenty warm. The lake isn't frozen so I should be good.

Zen Diver v1 · Post by **Zen Diver v1** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 5:52 pm

I'd wear all the layers you wear at the height of winter. Clear Lake was around 42 degrees at the bottom (mid June). We managed 88 minutes of bottom time over two dives, but my hands were painfully cold at the end and I was wishing I had dry gloves. That's with all my winter layers on plus argon in my suit. Also, bring some hot beverages for hand warming afterward, you'll be glad you did.

-Valerie