What does "diving deep" involve?

Diving deep refers to engaging in dives that exceed the standard recreational limits typically associated with open water diving, which is generally up to about 18-20 meters (60-66 feet). These deeper dives often require advanced training to ensure that divers manage the unique risks associated with greater depths, such as increased pressure, potential air embolism, and the need for understanding more complex aspects of gas management and dive planning. Advanced certifications, like those offered through PADI, focus on teaching divers how to safely conduct dives beyond typical recreational limits, which includes knowledge of dive tables, decompression theory, and potential environmental factors that impact deep dives.

The other options misinterpret the requirements or characteristics associated with deep diving. For instance, diving solo does not inherently relate to the concept of depth and carries significant risks that are typically mitigated through having a buddy. Shallow diving refers to depths well within recreational limits, which does not coincide with the defining characteristics of deep diving. Lastly, only using basic gear does not reflect the specialized equipment often required for deep dives, which may include tanks with specific gas mixes, dive computers, and other advanced gear designed to enhance safety in deeper waters.