What is advisable for a sport/recreational diver to avoid?

For a sport or recreational diver, avoiding decompression dives is advised primarily due to the complexities and risks associated with them. Decompression dives are those that require planned decompression stops during ascent to prevent decompression sickness, or "the bends." These dives generally involve deeper depths and longer bottom times, which increase the risks of nitrogen absorption into the body.

Recreational diving typically emphasizes safety and simplicity, allowing divers to focus on enjoying their underwater experiences without the added pressures of managing decompression procedures. Most recreational divers do not have the specialized training or experience necessary to conduct decompression dives safely, which involves detailed planning and an understanding of gas laws, dive tables, and possibly the use of special equipment.

In contrast, night dives, shallow dives, and wreck dives can be conducted safely within the limits of recreational diving, provided proper training and precautions are observed. These types of dives do not inherently involve the risks associated with decompression, making them more suitable for the average sport diver looking for enjoyable underwater experiences.