Product Overview

Summary: This High Altitude Diving Adjustments Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, evidence-based steps for planning and conducting dives at altitude, where reduced atmospheric pressure significantly alters decompression requirements and emergency responses. It helps Australian diving operations manage the additional physiological risks associated with lakes, dams, reservoirs and inland dive sites at elevation, while demonstrating due diligence under WHS law.

Diving at altitude introduces additional physiological and operational risks that are not present in standard sea‑level dives. Lower atmospheric pressure at elevation affects nitrogen loading, no‑decompression limits, ascent rates and emergency decompression procedures. Without a clear and consistent approach, organisations expose divers to an increased risk of decompression sickness, gas management errors, and poorly coordinated emergency responses. This High Altitude Diving Adjustments SOP provides a structured framework for identifying when altitude corrections are required, applying appropriate tables or dive computer settings, and integrating those adjustments into planning, briefings and post‑dive monitoring.

Developed for Australian conditions, this procedure supports commercial, scientific and recreational dive operations in inland waters such as dams, reservoirs, rivers and alpine lakes. It guides you through altitude classification, pre‑dive medical and fitness considerations, equipment configuration, surface support arrangements and communication protocols, all aligned with contemporary WHS expectations. By implementing this SOP, organisations can demonstrate a robust system of work for high altitude dives, reduce incident likelihood, and provide divers with clear, practical instructions they can trust in challenging environments.

Key Benefits

• Ensure high altitude dives are planned and conducted in line with recognised decompression science and WHS obligations.
• Reduce the risk of decompression sickness and barotrauma through standardised altitude-adjusted planning and ascent procedures.
• Improve diver confidence and team coordination with clear roles, briefings and checklists specific to altitude conditions.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and insurers by documenting a systematic approach to high‑risk diving activities.
• Support consistent training and competency assessment for divers and supervisors involved in inland and elevated dive operations.

Who is this for?

• Dive Supervisors
• Commercial Divers
• Scientific Divers
• Recreational Dive Instructors
• Dive Safety Officers
• WHS Managers in Marine and Aquatic Operations
• Emergency Response and Rescue Divers
• Aquaculture Operations Managers
• Defence and Police Dive Team Leaders
• Outdoor and Adventure Tourism Operators

Hazards Addressed

• Increased risk of decompression sickness due to reduced atmospheric pressure at altitude
• Barotrauma associated with incorrect ascent rates or misapplied decompression profiles
• Gas management errors arising from miscalculated no‑decompression limits and surface intervals
• Hypoxia and reduced exercise tolerance at higher elevations
• Environmental exposure risks in alpine and inland locations (cold stress, weather changes, limited access)
• Emergency evacuation delays from remote or difficult-to-access high altitude dive sites
• Communication failures between divers and surface support in unfamiliar or constrained inland environments

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Altitude Classifications
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Standards, Legislation and References
• 5.0 Risk Assessment for High Altitude Diving Operations
• 6.0 Medical Fitness, Acclimatisation and Fitness-to-Dive Requirements
• 7.0 Planning High Altitude Dives (Tables, Computers and Altitude Corrections)
• 8.0 Equipment Requirements and Pre‑Dive Checks for Altitude Conditions
• 9.0 Dive Briefing, Communication and Buddy Procedures
• 10.0 Step‑by‑Step High Altitude Diving Procedure
• 11.0 Decompression Management, Ascent Profiles and Safety Stops
• 12.0 Gas Management, Surface Intervals and Repetitive Dive Planning at Altitude
• 13.0 Environmental Considerations (Temperature, Weather, Visibility and Access)
• 14.0 Emergency Procedures and Evacuation from High Altitude Sites
• 15.0 Incident Reporting, Post‑Dive Monitoring and Medical Follow‑up
• 16.0 Training, Induction and Refresher Requirements
• 17.0 Document Control, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• AS/NZS 2299.1:2015 Occupational diving operations – Standard operational practice
• AS/NZS 2299.2:2002 Occupational diving operations – Scientific diving
• AS 2815 (series): Training and certification of occupational divers
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and mirror state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) – High risk work and remote or isolated work provisions
• Safe Work Australia – General diving work Code of Practice (where adopted by jurisdiction)
• State and territory specific Codes of Practice and guidance for diving work (e.g. WHS Queensland Diving and Snorkelling Codes of Practice)