Dive Computer Settings for Altitude Divers: A Buying Guide
Carolyn Bryan Jul 10, 2026
Every dive in Colorado is technically an altitude dive, since even our lower-elevation sites sit well above 1,000 feet. That means your dive computer needs to handle altitude correctly, and not every model does it the same way. Here's what to look for.
Why Altitude Matters to Your Computer
Atmospheric pressure drops as elevation increases, and that changes how your body absorbs and releases nitrogen. A dive computer that isn't accounting for altitude will calculate your no-decompression limits as if you were at sea level, which isn't accurate for a dive at 5,000 feet or higher.
Automatic vs. Manual Altitude Adjustment
Dive computers generally fall into one of two camps:
- Some computers use a built-in barometric sensor to detect altitude automatically and adjust on their own.
- Others require you to manually select an altitude range before the dive. Get this wrong, and the computer's math will be wrong too.
If you're buying your first computer specifically for Colorado diving, an automatic model takes one more thing off your plate. If you go with a manual one, make sure you're comfortable setting it correctly every time.
Other Features Worth Considering
Beyond altitude handling, think about: a backlit or easy-to-read display for our often lower-visibility water, cold-water-friendly buttons or a wrist-mounted design you can operate in gloves, and air integration if you want tank pressure on your wrist instead of a separate gauge.
Get Set Up Right the First Time
We carry dive computers from trusted brands and can walk you through setting the altitude range correctly for wherever you're diving. If you're taking our Altitude Diver course, we'll cover this in depth. Otherwise, stop by the shop or browse our equipment and we'll help you pick the right one.
