When you get an Open Water certification you are certified to dive to a depth of 60ft with someone of the same experience level.
It does not mean you cannot dive deeper it just means that if you want to dive deeper than 60ft you will need to dive with a more experienced diver who is experienced to diving deeper than that.
When diving with an Instructor or Divemaster you can dive to the maximum limit of 130ft under there supervision.
Once you have experince diving deeper than 60ft you can then dive with your Open Water certification to the max depth for recreational diving which is 130ft MAX.
It is always better to get proper training via an advanced course in order to gain the best information and experince.
Diving below 130ft without Advanced Specialized training and on Air is extremely DANGEROUS for several reasons
1.) Any diving/liability insurance is VOID as the limit for recreational diving is 130ft ONLY any dive below that is NOT CONSIDERED RECREATIONAL DIVING.
2.)Diving below 130ft with Air can cause several dangerous diving related problems
a) oxygen Toxicity
This is because the partial pressure of oygen increases the deeper you dive and the deepr you dive beyond the recreational limit exposes you to Oxygen toxicity which can cause several problems including blurred vision and possible blackout.
Oxygen alone as a gas is toxic at depth and that is why it is not used for recreational diving, we use Air which has a partial pressure of only 21% oxygen but the deeper you go this pressure increases until eventually you reach 100% the closer you get to 100% the more you are at risk of Oxygen toxicity.
the maximum depth for recreational diving is 130ft for a reason DO NOT DIVE to depths beyond that without SPECIALIZED TRAINING or you may find yourself spending the rest of your vacation in the Chamber OR WORSE.
2.) Severe nitrogen narcosis which is caused again by increase partial pressures of nitrogen in your air mixture, while NN is not dangerous in itself and sysmtoms will subside if you go shallower its effects which are like being drunk can cause people to do strange things which can cause accidents.
Sorry to be strong on this point but it is extremely important that you are self reliant and control your own depth profile and be responsible for your own plan.
I hope you take note of this when diving any divesite and stay within your diving limitations.
If you want to dive deeper than 130ft then it is necessary to take Specialized trainign courses outside of recreational diving.
Dive Safe
Gaz Cooper
PADI Instructor #48642
Gaz Cooper's DIVE BELIZE
www.divebelize.com