Safety Stop
Definition
A safety stop is a voluntary pause at 3–5 meters (10–15 feet) for 3 minutes during ascent to allow excess nitrogen to off-gas safely.
More on Safety Stop
While not mandatory for no-decompression dives, safety stops significantly reduce the risk of decompression sickness (DCS), especially after deep or repetitive dives. A typical safety stop involves hovering at 5 meters for 3 minutes, maintaining neutral buoyancy and avoiding movement. Dive computers usually prompt for the stop. It's good practice to perform a safety stop on every dive deeper than 10 meters.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Safety stops are optional and preventive, while decompression stops are mandatory after exceeding no-decompression limits.
After any dive deeper than 10 meters, or when making multiple dives in a day. It’s a standard safety precaution.
Ascend slowly and steadily if conditions prevent it (e.g., rough seas). But always attempt the stop when possible.
Use your buoyancy control and breathe slowly. A line or anchor rope can help with depth reference.
It can reduce nitrogen loading, but safety stops are still recommended for all dives, regardless of gas mix.