What is the aim of safety stops during ascent?

The aim of safety stops during ascent is to minimize the risk of decompression sickness. When divers ascend too quickly from depth, dissolved gases in their tissues can form bubbles as pressure decreases. These bubbles can lead to decompression sickness, a potentially serious condition. By incorporating safety stops—typically at a depth of about 3 to 5 meters for a few minutes—divers allow their bodies extra time to off-gas, helping to reduce the amount of nitrogen in their tissues and the likelihood of bubble formation. This practice enhances diver safety by promoting a gradual ascent and allowing for the safe release of nitrogen from the body, which is critical in preventing decompression-related injuries.

While checking equipment functionality, facilitating communication among divers, and signaling the end of a dive are all important aspects of dive safety and organization, these actions do not address the specific physiological benefit of safety stops in reducing the risk of decompression sickness.