What Is The 120 Rule In Scuba Diving?

The “120 rule” in scuba diving is a safety guideline that recommends that divers should not stay at a depth beyond 120 feet (36 meters) for longer than a total of 120 minutes in a day, to avoid decompression sickness.

This rule is based on the assumption that a diver who exceeds these limits may be at an increased risk of decompression sickness, which is a condition that can occur when dissolved gases in the body, such as nitrogen, are not properly eliminated during the ascent from a dive.

The 120 rule is not a hard and fast rule and should not be seen as a substitute for proper dive planning and execution.

Divers should always adhere to the limits set by their certification agency, and plan their dives accordingly, taking into account factors such as the depth, duration, and the breathing gas used. It is also important for divers to be properly trained and experienced, and to always follow safe diving practices.

You might also want to know about what is the golden rule of scuba diving too.

I hope you enjoyed this article about what is the 120 rule in scuba diving?

I’d love to hear from you. Tell us about your adventures of diving and snorkelling. Please use the comments section below. Please also share your photos. Either from your underwater cameras or videos from your waterproof go-pro’s!

If this article hasn’t answered all of your questions. If you have more questions either about snorkelling or scuba diving (or specifically about what is the 120 rule in scuba diving), please comment below with your questions.

There will also be many more articles about scuba and scuba diving safety tips (and on snorkelling too) for you to read and learn about this fabulous sport.

Have fun and be safe!