Dive Plan - The Crater at Homestead Resort — Midway, Utah

01 — DIVE PLAN OVERVIEW

Site Selection Rationale 

The Crater at Homestead Resort is selected as the dive site for this plan. It is a rare geothermal warm-water dive site — a 10,000-year-old geothermal limestone dome enclosing a circular pool approximately 60 ft in diameter and 65 ft deep, fed by a geothermal aquifer at 90–95°F year-round. Entry is via a 110-ft tunnel on the north face of the dome, leading to a wooden deck platform with designated scuba entry/exit areas. GPS coordinates: 40°31'26" N / 111°29'06" W at approximately 5,900–6,000 ft elevation. The site is appropriate for an Open Water certified group with proper altitude and overhead-environment briefing. 

02 — SITE INFORMATION & ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 

Site Overview 

Year-Round Conditions — The Crater at Homestead 

Unlike most Utah dive sites, The Crater maintains near-constant conditions due to its enclosed geothermal environment. This plan is designed to be used year-round. The key variable is surface crowding — weekends and summer bring more swimmers and snorkelers, which increases silt disturbance and reduces visibility. 

★ Weekday mornings are the recommended time for this dive site.  Best combination of visibility, low swimmer traffic, and silt conditions. Update environmental conditions in the Day-Of Conditions Log (Section 10) to reflect actual site state at time of dive. 

Identified Site Hazards 

• Overhead environment: enclosed dome limits direct open-sky ascent — divers must ascend within the open water column inside the dome 
• Silt disturbance: 8–14 ft deep silt layer can reduce visibility to near zero instantly — strict buoyancy control and horizontal trim required near the bottom 
• Shared water: swimmers, snorkelers, and soakers may enter the water column from soaking platforms — maintain upward awareness at all times 
• Dim interior: even with installed lighting, visibility drops significantly at depth — primary dive light required; backup recommended 
• Altitude dive risk: elevation ~6,000 ft shortens no-decompression limits significantly — see Section 04 
• Heat stress: 90–95°F water temperature may cause heat stress during extended surface intervals or while suiting up in the tunnel — stay hydrated; allow cooling time between dives 
• Tunnel access: 110-ft entrance tunnel has low clearance — carry tanks carefully; do not mount tank until on the deck platform 
• Archaeological silt: the bottom contains thousands of historical artifacts from ongoing research — do NOT touch, dig, or disturb the silt floor under any circumstances 

03 — SITE HISTORY, FEATURES & MARINE LIFE 

Crater History 

• The Homestead Caldera began forming approximately 10,000 years ago when snowmelt from the Wasatch Mountains percolated along fault lines and fractures to depths of 1–2 miles, where geothermal heat from Earth's interior warmed the water. As it rose back to the surface, mineral-rich water — primarily calcium carbonate — deposited travertine layer by layer over millennia, eventually forming the massive beehive-shaped limestone dome visible today. 
• The spring still flows at approximately 135,000 gallons per day and maintains water temperature at 90–95°F year-round. The dome stands approximately 55 ft tall and is 400 ft wide at its base. 
• In 1864, Swiss pioneer Simon Schneitter discovered the hot spring while farming the land. By 1886, Schneitter's Hot Pot Resort opened, beginning the resort legacy that continues today as Homestead Resort. 
• Originally, access to the water required rappelling down through the natural skylight opening at the apex of the dome. In the 1990s, a 110-ft horizontal tunnel was blasted through the north face of the formation to allow general public access. The Crater opened commercially on July 12, 1996. 
• The site was used as a filming location in Danny Boyle's 2010 film '127 Hours' and appeared in Season 16 of ABC's 'The Bachelor.' It remains one of the most distinctive geothermal dive sites in the United States. 
• An ongoing archaeological research project works to recover historical items from the 8–14 ft silt layer on the bottom — including firearms, coins, and other artifacts accumulated over hundreds of years. The silt is off-limits for disturbance. 

Underwater Features 

Underwater Props & Points of Interest 

The Crater is a geothermal freshwater system with no natural aquatic life due to high mineral content and water temperature. The facility has placed several artificial props for diver interest: 

Do NOT touch, move, or disturb any props or the surrounding silt. No aquatic organisms are expected. 

Briefing Talking Points — Site Orientation 

• The dome has one point of entry and exit: the deck platform via the 110-ft tunnel — there is no alternate exit 
• Divers orient using the walls and installed lights — the small enclosed environment simplifies navigation but increases the importance of maintaining controlled buoyancy 
• Always maintain awareness of other water users (swimmers/soakers) above you — look up before ascending 
• Maximum depth is approximately 65 ft — confirm current operator limit at check-in; this plan is written for 40 ft 
• The silt bottom is strictly off-limits for touching — approach must remain horizontal with minimum 5–6 ft clearance from the floor 
• The overhead dome means you cannot perform an emergency free ascent — this must be explained clearly during the briefing 

04 — DIVE PROFILE & NAVIGATION PLAN 

Planned Dive Profile 

Altitude Depth Conversion Table 

At ~6,000 ft elevation, actual gauge depths must be converted to Theoretical Ocean Depth (TOD) for table-based NDL planning. Dive computers in altitude mode handle this automatically — this table is for awareness and planning reference: 

Altitude Dive Protocols — Mandatory at This Site 

Navigation Plan 

The Crater is a small, fully enclosed circular environment approximately 60 ft in diameter. This is a structured skills dive with a defined route using clock positions as reference points. The entry shallow area, the deck platform, and the buoyancy diamond skill station are the three fixed reference points for this dive. 

05 — GAS MANAGEMENT PLAN 

Rule of Thirds — Gas Policy 

The warm water (90–95°F) at this site is comfortable and reduces thermal stress on gas consumption — expect SAC rates similar to or slightly better than warm-water tropical dives. However, altitude physiology may slightly elevate breathing rate. Use 0.5–0.6 cu ft/min as a conservative baseline SAC for planning. At 30 ft for 15 min, gas consumption will be well within the Rule of Thirds for any diver starting at 2,500 PSI or above. DM will conduct gas checks at descent, at the 6 o'clock skill station, and at the safety stop. Any diver reaching 1,500 PSI signals DM immediately — group ascends together. 

Hand Signals — Review Required Pre-Dive 

06 — RAWFISH BUDDY CHECK (NEPTUNE DIVERS STANDARD) 

All buddy teams complete RAWFISH before entry. DM verifies each team. 

No one enters the water until all checks are confirmed. 

07 — EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS 

Site-Specific Equipment Notes 

• Dive lights are MANDATORY — this site is dimly lit at depth even with installed underwater lighting; night dive simulation mode (lights off) is available on request 
• All computers must be verified in altitude mode on the surface before entry — no exception; dive is aborted for any diver whose computer is not properly configured 
• No exposure suit is needed — the 90–95°F water is comfortable in boardshorts or a skin suit; however, the tunnel and outdoor surroundings may be significantly cooler, especially in winter 
• Tanks and gear must be transported through a 110-ft low-clearance tunnel — do not mount tank on BCD until you reach the deck platform 
• All divers must complete and submit the Homestead Crater liability waiver before entering — confirm with the activity center prior to dive time 

08 — SAFETY & EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN 

Emergency Equipment Locations 

Emergency Communications Protocol 

Emergency Action Sequence 

1. STOP — Establish positive buoyancy on the diver. Inflate BCD. Remove weights if necessary. 
2. SIGNAL — Alert other divers. DM takes command. Assist diver to deck and out of water, protecting airway. 
3. ASSESS — Check responsiveness, breathing, pulse. Begin CPR if indicated. Position appropriately. 
4. O₂ — Administer 100% O₂ immediately for suspected DCS, near-drowning, or loss of consciousness. 
5. NOTIFY FACILITY — Alert Homestead Crater staff immediately — (435) 657-3840. 
6. SOS — DM activates Garmin inReach SOS immediately upon surfacing with emergency. 
7. CALL 911 — Provide location, number of patients, mechanism of injury, current patient status. See Section 8.4 — Air vs. Ground Transport Protocol. 
8. DAN — Call DAN at +1-919-684-9111 for DCS assessment and hyperbaric referral. 
9. DOCUMENT — Record dive profile, time of incident, symptoms, and all actions taken for handoff to EMS. 

Section 8.4 — Air vs. Ground Transport Protocol 

Key Reference Points: 

At this site, ground transport to Heber Valley Hospital (~10 min) is faster than Life Flight response in most scenarios. Ground transport is the default for this site. Request Life Flight only when the patient requires a Level I trauma center or hyperbaric chamber that ground cannot reach in time, or when the patient is too unstable for ground transport. 

Request Life Flight — Cardiac & Respiratory (ground transport too slow for definitive care): 

• Cardiac arrest — CPR in progress. Call 911, continue CPR. If ground EMS response is delayed beyond 5 min, request Life Flight. Do not stop CPR. 
• Unconscious with pulse but not breathing — Call 911 immediately; provide rescue breathing. Ground to Heber Valley is faster than Life Flight for initial stabilization. 
• Severe respiratory distress — coughing blood, frothy sputum, or unable to speak in full sentences. Ground to Heber Valley (~10 min) is fastest; request Life Flight only if patient deteriorates rapidly en route. 
• Suspected arterial gas embolism (AGE) — sudden unconsciousness, seizure, or stroke-like symptoms within minutes of surfacing. Ground to Heber Valley (~10 min) for initial stabilization; request Life Flight for transport to Utah Valley hyperbaric (~25 min ground) only if patient is too unstable for ground. Call DAN immediately — they will advise on transport. 

Request Life Flight — Neurological (ground transport too slow for Level I trauma): 

• Unconscious or unresponsive after surfacing — ground to Heber Valley (~10 min) for initial stabilization; request Life Flight if Level I trauma or neurosurgical intervention is needed. 
• Seizure — ground to Heber Valley (~10 min); request Life Flight if seizures are ongoing or patient does not recover. 
• Paralysis or inability to move any limb — ground to Heber Valley; request Life Flight for transfer to Level I trauma if spinal injury suspected. 
• Sudden vision loss or blindness — ground to Heber Valley for initial evaluation. 
• Confusion or disorientation that does not clear within 5 minutes of surfacing and O₂ administration. 

Request Life Flight — Severe DCS Type II (hyperbaric needed, ground too slow): 

• Any neurological symptom combined with joint pain. 
• Loss of bladder or bowel control. 
• Weakness or paralysis in any limb. 
• Inability to walk or stand unassisted. 

Request Life Flight — Trauma (Level I trauma center required): 

• Head trauma with loss of consciousness. 
• Suspected spinal injury — do not move the patient. Request Life Flight for immobilization and transport to Level I trauma center. 
• Open fracture or severe crush injury. 

USE GROUND TRANSPORT — Drive to Heber Valley Hospital (~10 min) 

• DCS Type I — joint pain only, no neurological symptoms, diver alert and oriented. Administer O₂, drive to Heber Valley Hospital, call DAN en route. 
• Skin rash or mottling only — diver alert and oriented, no neurological involvement. 
• Near-drowning recovered — diver who aspirated water but is now conscious, breathing, and improving. 
• Lacerations requiring stitches — bleeding controlled, no vascular compromise. 
• Suspected fracture — limb intact, no neurovascular compromise, diver stable. 
• Ear or sinus barotrauma — pain or hearing loss, no neurological symptoms. 
• Fatigue, mild dizziness, or malaise improving with O₂ — diver oriented and ambulatory. 

UNCERTAIN — Call DAN First: +1-919-684-9111 (24/7) 

Any post-dive symptom where you are unsure of severity — call DAN before choosing transport mode. DAN medics are available 24/7 and will advise on transport method, flight profile, and receiving facility. 

Quick-Reference Decision Table: 

Rule of thumb: At this site, ground transport to Heber Valley Hospital (~10 min) is faster than Life Flight for most emergencies. Default to ground. Request Life Flight only when the patient needs a Level I trauma center or hyperbaric chamber and is too unstable for the additional ground transport time. You can cancel an air response if the patient improves. You cannot undo a delay in getting a critical patient to definitive care. 

Lost Buddy Procedure 

Underwater — stop, look, 360° scan for 1 minute. Signal DM. If not located: controlled ascent as a group. Surface — inflate BCD, signal OK, hold position. DM accounts for all divers before any re-descent. No diver re-enters without DM clearance. In The Crater, the enclosed environment makes a lost buddy rare — if a diver cannot be located on a full 360° sweep, ascend immediately. 

Diver Recall Procedure 

Emergency recall: 3 rapid bangs on tank (underwater) or 3 horn blasts (surface). On this signal — stop dive, ascend at safe rate, complete safety stop if gas permits, surface, inflate BCD, swim to deck. Do not search for other divers — DM manages accountability. 

Abort Criteria 

• Any diver's computer is not confirmed in altitude mode before entry 
• Operator has not authorized planned depth — dive to confirmed limit only 
• Excessive silt in suspension — visibility below 5 ft at entry 
• Any diver reports feeling unwell, overheated, or uncomfortable before or during the dive 
• Any diver reaches 500 PSI emergency reserve 
• Overhead environment blocked or inaccessible — tunnel closure or structural concern 
• Any medical emergency or equipment failure that cannot be resolved on site  

09 — BRIEFING STRUCTURE (SSI 17-CRITERIA MAP)  

The pre-dive briefing addresses all 17 SSI Dive Briefing Evaluation criteria in this order:  

10 — DAY OF CONDITIONS LOG 

REMINDER: Any diver reporting unusual fatigue, joint pain, numbness, dizziness, difficulty breathing, or visual/neurological symptoms after this dive should be evaluated for decompression illness. Administer 100% O₂ and contact DAN (+1-919-684-9111) immediately.