Max Depth for AOW
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Which agency are you asking about and what do you mean by depth limit - maximum depth during the course, or the depth you will be certified for after completing the course?
Paco II
Contributor
The answer may also vary by country.
padi says 100 and 130 if you have deep specialty.
DevonDiver
N/A
Most agencies will state a recommended maximum depth appropriate to the qualification. In most instances that recommended depth is well-considered and a valid safety measure.
Divers sometimes confuse this with the maximum permissible depth allowed during the training course. This is a standard that applies to the instructor teaching the course.
For the PADI Advanced Open Water (AOW) course the maximum depth is 30m/100ft. This is also the maximum recommended depth for (AOW qualified) divers who have not completed specialised Deep Diver training.
Divers sometimes confuse this with the maximum permissible depth allowed during the training course. This is a standard that applies to the instructor teaching the course.
For the PADI Advanced Open Water (AOW) course the maximum depth is 30m/100ft. This is also the maximum recommended depth for (AOW qualified) divers who have not completed specialised Deep Diver training.
Depth on a course as per standards is one thing.
After a course there is no depth limit. Standards do not apply. You can go to 90m if you want without breaking any "limit" (except maybe local laws and insurance!).
Dive centres often have policies restricting depths to the recommended max for the qualification they hold but that isnt a "law" its simply a centres policy.
PADI only make recommendations or sometimes limits for their courses. Outside the course they don't care.
After a course there is no depth limit. Standards do not apply. You can go to 90m if you want without breaking any "limit" (except maybe local laws and insurance!).
Dive centres often have policies restricting depths to the recommended max for the qualification they hold but that isnt a "law" its simply a centres policy.
PADI only make recommendations or sometimes limits for their courses. Outside the course they don't care.
Depends on your past experience and how much air you can carry so's you won't drown or end up with the bends on ascent. Recommendations are just that: recommendatiions. I did the Speigle Grove with only ten dives under my belt and an OW cert (of course accompanied by a DM). That is actually what hooked me on diving. My first ten dives were around Lauderdale and was disappointed with what I was seeing but the deep ship dive did it for me.
Mike Boswell
Contributor
MY depth limit is whatever I think I and my buddy will be safe with, based on the conditions, our experience, and our equipment. In cold water that is usually 100 feet. In warm water a bit more if there is a reason to do it. For us, deeper dives are shorter and less relaxing, generally.
fnfalman
Contributor
It's as deep as you want to go.
Mr Carcharodon
Contributor
Using the certification to set limits has a lot of problems. Some people are ready to go deep with out the class, for some the class is enough, and others not enough. My take is you should be on firm ground on decompression and gas planning and be confident in your skills before going below 100 feet. Your buddy should be too.
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