Scuba diving is a thrilling activity that lets you explore the amazing underwater world. However, Scuba diving is still seen as an extreme sport that requires proper training, equipment, and safety measures to avoid accidents and health issues. One of the most important safety measures that all scuba divers should know about is diving stops. In this article, we will explain what diving stops are, why they matter, and how to perform them correctly.

What are safety stops?

Safety stops are pauses that scuba divers make during their ascent to the surface. There are three main types of diving stops: recreational safety stops, deep stops, and decompression stops.

A safety stop is a brief pause that recreational scuba divers make just before the end of their dive, typically at a depth of 3 to 5 meters. The purpose of a safety stop is to allow excess nitrogen to be released from the body, reducing the risk of decompression sickness.

A deep stop is a pause that recreational scuba divers make during their ascent, typically when doing a dive deeper than 30 meters upto a depth of 40 meters, and the deep stop is done for 1 minute at half eth maximum depth the diver went to on that dive, so a dive to 40 meters would have a deep stop at 20 meters. The purpose of a deep stop is to allow off-gassing of nitrogen from the body and to reduce the risk of gas bubbles forming in the blood vessels.

A decompression stop is a compulsory stop that technical scuba divers make during their ascent, typically at a depth of 6 to 3 meters, or sometimes deeper depending on the dive plan. Technical divers will also quite often switch gases during these safety stops where they breathe a much higher percentage of oxygen to flush their system of nitrogen before surfacing. The purpose of a decompression stop is to allow off-gassing of nitrogen from the body and to prevent decompression sickness. Decompression stops are required for dives that exceed certain depth and time limits, and are a critical safety measure for technical and commercial divers.

Why do saftey stops matter?

Safety stops matter because they allow the body to release excess nitrogen and prevent the risk of decompression sickness. Decompression sickness is a serious condition that can cause joint pain, paralysis, and even death. The longer and deeper a diver goes, the more nitrogen the body absorbs, and the more important it is to follow proper dive plans and stop guidelines.

In addition to preventing decompression sickness, safety stops can also provide an opportunity for divers to adjust their buoyancy, check their equipment, and look around for interesting marine life. Safety stops can enhance the overall diving experience and make the ascent smoother and more enjoyable.

How to perform safety stops

Performing a safety stop is a straightforward process that any certified scuba diver should be able to do. Here are the basic steps:

1. Follow your dive plan and know when and where to make your stops.
2. When you reach the required depth for your stop, stop moving and hover in place.
3. Hold your depth for the required duration (usually a few minutes).
4. While hovering, exhale gently and avoid moving around to minimize nitrogen build-up.
5. Monitor your gauges and surroundings to ensure that you are safe.
6. When your stop time is up, slowly ascend to the next depth or the surface while continuing to exhale.

Recreational safety stop vs. decompression stop

Recreational diving is a type of diving that is done for fun and leisure, typically up to a depth of 18 meters and without requiring decompression stops. Recreational divers follow "no-stop" dive tables or computer algorithms that calculate their allowable bottom time based on their depth and previous dives.

A recreational safety stop is a standard practice that recreational divers should perform at the end of each dive, regardless of their dive profile. A safety stop typically lasts for three minutes, and is done at a depth of 3 to 5 meters. The purpose of a safety stop is to allow the body to off-gas any excess nitrogen that has accumulated during the dive, before ascending to the surface.

A decompression stop, on the other hand, is required for dives that exceed certain depth and time limits, and is designed to allow the body to off-gas nitrogen and other gases that have accumulated in the tissues. Decompression stops are calculated based on the depth and duration of the dive, and the type of gas mixture used, and can range from a few minutes to several hours for technical and commercial dives.

Decompression diving is a type of diving that involves using specialized equipment and gas mixtures to allow the diver to stay at depths and durations that exceed the limits of recreational diving. Decompression diving requires proper training, experience, and equipment, and is usually done for exploration, research, or commercial purposes.

Safety stops are a critical safety measure that all scuba divers should follow. By taking the time to perform the right type of stop at the right depth and duration, divers can minimize their risk of decompression sickness and other health problems, and enhance their overall diving experience.

Whether you are a recreational diver or a technical diver, always remember to plan your dive, dive your plan, and take the necessary safety measures to ensure a safe and enjoyable dive. :-)