What is a Safety Stop and why is it important?

A Safety Stop is an intentional pause during a dive, typically conducted at a depth of around 15 to 20 feet (or 5 to 6 meters), for a duration of several minutes before ascending to the surface. The primary purpose of this stop is to allow nitrogen that has accumulated in the body due to increased pressure during the dive to off-gas, thereby reducing the risk of decompression sickness.

Decompression sickness can occur when a diver ascends too quickly, causing nitrogen bubbles to form in the bloodstream and tissues as pressure decreases. By incorporating a Safety Stop into the dive, divers give their bodies the time needed to safely eliminate excess nitrogen, significantly minimizing the risks associated with rapid ascents and the potential for illness. This practice is highly recommended in dive training and is an important safety protocol for divers to follow.

While other options mention aspects related to diving, they do not capture the critical health and safety rationale for performing a Safety Stop, which is essential for ensuring a diver’s well-being when returning to the surface.