What is the maximum descent rate recommended for scuba divers?

The maximum descent rate recommended for scuba divers is 60 feet per minute, though some guidelines may suggest rates as high as 75 feet per minute under certain conditions. A descent rate within this range helps ensure divers maintain control and allows for adequate equalization of their ears and sinuses. Rapid descents can increase the risk of barotrauma, where pressure changes adversely affect the body, particularly the lungs and ears.

While descent rates can vary based on experience, environmental conditions, and diving purpose, staying within the recommended limit is crucial for diver safety, especially in deeper or colder waters where the risks are heightened. This ensures divers can maintain buoyancy control and safely adapt to changing pressures, ultimately reducing the likelihood of decompression illness and other potential hazards of quick descents.