SSI Altitude Diving Experience at Lake Tahoe, USA
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
2–4 hours including Zoom and optional dive
Fitness Level
Participants should have basic scuba fitness and cardiovascular health, comfortable with physical exertion at altitude.
Overview
Master the art of scuba diving at high altitudes with SSI's specialized Altitude Diver course. Join Bamboo Reef's interactive Zoom session and explore Lake Tahoe's pristine waters for an unforgettable dive experience.
SSI: ALTITUDE DIVING (SF & MB)
Getting high to dive
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Adventure Photos
About This Adventure
Join the Altitude Diver class to master the unique challenges of scuba diving at high altitudes. This engaging 2-hour Zoom session covers essential dive planning and safety techniques. Enhance your skills with optional fun dives in stunning Lake Tahoe, where you'll apply your knowledge in a breathtaking freshwater environment.
TRAINING COSTS:
-
$150 Tuition per person
-
$50 SSI Registration fee
- Online Booking Fees: $12.00 In Person Bookings do not incur an online booking fee.
The payment of Course Fees guarantees TRAINING, not necessarily certification. Certification is EARNED only by successfully meeting all applicable standards and objectives.
DURATION:
- 2 hour Zoom - 2 optional dives in Tahoe for additional cost
OBJECTIVE: At altitude, atmospheric pressure is lower than at sea level, so surfacing at the end of an altitude dive leads to a greater relative reduction in pressure and an increased risk of decompression sickness compared to the same dive profile at sea level. The dives are also typically carried out in freshwater at altitude so it has a lower density than seawater used for calculation of decompression tables. This Altitude Diver class will teach you the skills necessary to scuba dive safely at altitude. You will you learn Altitude dive planning, procedures, techniques and adjustments to be made to your dive computer for diving at altitudes greater than 1000'.
TECHNIQUES/SKILLS:
- Risk management of dives at altitude
- Adjusting for buoyancy while monitoring information systems
- Controlled ascent/Safety stop procedures
- Surface procedures
- Debriefs/Logging dives
Your class is a Zoom session on Wednesday to get more acquainted with Decompression Theory, Dive Computers, and the interesting accommodations that must be made for diving at Altitude.
OPTIONAL FUN DIVES: You will need to arrange to travel up to Tahoe and be there no later than Friday, with your gear including 2 tanks, so that you have time to equilibrate. We will meet at Meeks Bay Resort beach at 8:30am on Saturday to begin our Fun Dives. Using the information you have learned earlier in the week, you will plan and execute 2 dives, practice deploying an SMB, and then relax and off gas in the beautiful Lake Tahoe basin. You will need to stay another night before heading back over the pass and back down to the Bay Area.
DIVER REQUIREMENTS:
- Open Water Diver Certification or higher
- 15 years or older (parent/guardian release is required)
- Mastery of buoyancy control (able to hold shallow stops)
DIVER RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Perfect Buoyancy
- Navigation
FOR OPTIONAL FUN DIVE:
GEAR REQUIREMENTS:
- Swimsuit & towel
- Mask & Snorkel
- Boots, Fins & Gloves
- Dive Computer
- SMB (Surface Marker Buoy)
- 30’/10m Spool or Reel
GEAR RECOMMENDED:
- Dive lights
- Cutting device
Adventure Tips
Prepare for altitude effects
Altitude diving requires understanding altered pressure; acclimate well before your dive to avoid altitude sickness.
Use dive computers with altitude settings
Ensure your dive computer is calibrated for altitude diving to track nitrogen absorption accurately.
Check water temperature
Lake Tahoe can be cold even in summer; a suitable wetsuit or drysuit is necessary for comfort and safety.
Stay hydrated before and after diving
High altitudes can dehydrate you faster; drink plenty of water to ensure proper dive safety.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Kokanee salmon
- Lake Tahoe sucker fish
History
Lake Tahoe has long been a site for freshwater diving research due to its unique alpine environment and historic mining impacts.
Conservation
Bamboo Reef supports local efforts to protect Lake Tahoe’s water quality and aquatic ecosystems by promoting eco-friendly diving practices.
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Adventure Hotspots in South Lake Tahoe
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Wetsuit or Drysuit
Critical for thermal protection in Lake Tahoe’s cold waters during most seasons.
spring|fall|winter specific
Dive Computer with Altitude Setting
Ensures accurate depth and decompression tracking specific to altitude diving.
Buoyancy Control Device (BCD)
Necessary for safe buoyancy management during all dives.
Hydration Pack or Water Bottle
Helps prevent dehydration, especially important at higher altitudes.