What is the maximum allowable no-decompression limit for recreational dives generally?

The maximum allowable no-decompression limit for recreational dives is not a fixed duration but instead varies based on multiple factors, including the depth of the dive and the diver's profile, which includes factors like time spent at various depths and any ascents or descents made during the dive. This variability is crucial because as depth increases, the amount of nitrogen that dissolves into the tissues of the diver increases, affecting the limits.

Different dive profiles can lead to different no-decompression limits even at the same depth; for example, spending time at a deeper depth may reduce the overall time you can spend at a shallower depth without requiring decompression stops during ascent. Thus, it is vital for divers to refer to dive tables or dive computers that take these variables into account when planning dives to ensure safe ascent profiles within no-decompression limits.