When should safety stops typically occur during a dive?

Safety stops should occur at the end of ascent, typically at a depth of around 3 to 5 meters (10 to 15 feet) for a duration of 3 to 5 minutes. This practice is important as it allows divers to off-gas nitrogen that has accumulated in their bodies during the dive, reducing the risk of decompression sickness.

During ascent, especially after a deep or prolonged dive, the pressure decreases and bubbles of nitrogen can form. A safety stop provides the necessary time for these bubbles to dissolve into the bloodstream safely and be expelled from the body. It acts as a buffer period where divers can stabilize and monitor how they feel before they reach the surface. This is a vital part of safe diving practices that enhances diver safety and should be standard procedure after every dive beyond recreational limits.

The other options do not align with safe diving practices. Descending immediately does not allow for any safety margin, as does the surface interval, which occurs after a dive has been completed. Entering the water before the dive is unrelated to safety stops, as it does not pertain to the ascent phase of the dive.