You're absolutely right that there's nothing to protect you from downside if your (long) limit order price gets hit prior to a major nose dive in the price.
(Short sale equivalent: if your short limit order gets hit prior to a major rise in the price)
You're absolutely right that there's nothing to protect you from downside if your (long) limit order price gets hit prior to a major nose dive in the price.
(Short sale equivalent: if your short limit order gets hit prior to a major rise in the price)