What is the maximum ascent rate for a diver?

The maximum ascent rate for a diver is typically recommended to be no more than 30 feet per second. This guideline is in place to minimize the risk of decompression sickness, which can occur when a diver ascends too quickly and nitrogen bubbles form in the body.

To allow adequate time for the body to off-gas nitrogen, a slower ascent rate helps ensure that divers can safely return to the surface without developing any complications. The specific rate of 30 feet per second aligns with safety standards established by diving organizations, which prioritize the physiology of divers during ascent and descent.

Choosing an ascent rate greater than this, such as 20, 40 feet per second, or even higher, would put divers at increased risk of experiencing negative health effects as their bodies would not have sufficient time to adapt to the rapidly changing pressure.