How Deep Can Scuba Divers Go Safely?

by Tommy
(KY, U.S.)

Hi,

I would like to know how deep scuba divers are able to dive and still be safe? What is the limit on how far scuba divers can dive?

Hi Tommy,

As far as recreational diving goes, the maximum limit from PADI (a top certification agency) is 130 feet once you pass your deep diving course.

If you have an open water certification, you are certified for dives down to 60 feet.

If you have an advanced open water certification, you are certified for dives to 100 feet.

It is interesting to note that this has changed over time. When I received my open water certification, it certified me to dive to 130 feet, the maximum depth for recreational diving. Today, one has to get two additional certifications to dive to that level (advanced open water and deep diving).

To learn more, you can visit our scuba diving certification page.

Anything over 130 feet is considered technical diving and encompasses another level of training. Technical divers have gone hundreds of feet on specialty gas mixes, decompression diving, etc. But that is a whole 'nother story.

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Certification "depths"
by: Larry Molnar

There are NO "certification depths", only recommendations. While the recommendation calls for beginning divers to limit themselves to depths of 60' or less, there aren't any scuba police swimming around checking cards. I know many divers that are only Open Water certified that have been diving to 100' or more after years of experience.

In addition, there is a HUGE difference between diving past 60' in the Caribbean and in a local quarry for example. 100'+ visibility vs. 15-20' visibility. No way to apply the same rules to both.

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