The maximum depth for recreational scuba diving depends on the diver's training and certification level. For most recreational divers, the deepest allowed is about 130 feet (40 meters). Specifically:
- Certified PADI Scuba Divers (entry level) can dive up to 40 feet (12 meters).
- Certified PADI Open Water Divers can dive up to 60 feet (18 meters).
- Advanced Open Water Divers can dive up to 100 feet (30 meters).
- Deep Diver specialty certified divers may dive up to 130 feet (40 meters), which is generally the recreational diving limit.
Beyond recreational diving, technical divers with specialized training and equipment can dive much deeper. The world record for the deepest scuba dive on open-circuit scuba is 1,090 feet (332 meters), set by Ahmed Gabr, although such extreme depths require extensive preparation and long decompression times. In summary, typical recreational scuba diving depths range from 40 feet to 130 feet depending on certification, while technical diving can extend much deeper with special training and gear.
