What is the required water depth for platform diving boards?

The required water depth for platform diving boards is over 18 ft deep. This depth is necessary to ensure the safety of divers who may enter the water at high speeds and from significant heights. Deep water helps to reduce the risk of injury by providing a safer landing zone where divers can enter the water without the danger of hitting the bottom.

Diving from a platform usually involves greater heights compared to standard diving boards, so elevated dive heights necessitate deeper water to accommodate the dynamics of the dive and ensure the diver's trajectory remains safe during entry. The recommendation of over 18 ft reflects standards set by swimming and diving organizations to promote safety in aquatic environments. Ensuring the proper depth is important not only for safety but also to prevent accidents that could arise from inadequate water depth.