What precautions should a diver take before participating in high altitude diving?

Before participating in high altitude diving, proper acclimatization is crucial. Acclimatization allows the body to adjust to lower oxygen levels and reduced atmospheric pressure, which are common at higher altitudes. This adjustment helps mitigate the risk of conditions such as altitude sickness and reduces the likelihood of decompression sickness during your dives.

At elevated altitudes, the partial pressure of oxygen is lower than at sea level, which can affect a divers' physiological response and their ability to safely absorb and eliminate nitrogen during ascent and descent. Ensuring adequate acclimatization often involves spending time at higher elevations before diving to allow the body to adapt. This process also includes monitoring individual tolerance and responsiveness to the new environment.

Engaging in regular swimming, changing dive weights, or limiting the number of dives may contribute to overall safety but do not specifically address the unique challenges posed by high altitude diving and the need for physiological adaptation to the environment. Thus, acclimatization is the most critical precaution for divers planning to dive at altitude.