Safety stop at 15'..........always

[caseybird]

Note that while many people "do the safety stop" (finning and holding onto something because they can't maintain buoyancy), directly afterwards they shoot to the surface from 15ft, sometimes doing this in only 5 seconds or less, leading to a ridiculous ascent rate where the pressure differential is at its greatest during the dive (eg, where a slow ascent matters the most).

Not me, Sparts. Slow and steady that last 15'. Great bouyancy skills practice.

 

[Gombessa]

I've heard here that safety stops were not generally taught back in the day. Without getting into the "we know more now" game, I can understand older divers feeling they're not necessary. Doesn't make them safe given current knowledge of course...

Also, did you mention whether this guy was Nitrox certified in the first place? I'm not, and though I tell myself I have a pretty decent understanding of what it is and how to use it, I would also decline nitrox until I've taken the cert course and have my card.

 

[Jim Kerr]

I do a 3 minute safety stop on every dive. It's just a habit now and a normal part of the dive. On the Padi RDP the depths of 100 fsw and deeper are shaded grey. It states that all safety stops after dives to 100 fsw and deeper are "mandatory". That doesn't really matter to me since I do one anyway regardless of depth. The only time I don't is if I'm diving a wall and have been at the SS level for several minutes and my computer is not showing a 3 minute countdown, then it's not necessary. My computer "always" does a countdown at the SS when ever I've gone below 30 fsw. If I'm making alot of repetetive dives like you were doing in Palau, then I increase the length of my safety stops through out the week.

 

[Jim Kerr]

Also, did you mention whether this guy was Nitrox certified in the first place? I'm not, and though I tell myself I have a pretty decent understanding of what it is and how to use it, I would also decline nitrox until I've taken the cert course and have my card.

They will not allow you to use it if you do not have a Nitrox c- card.

 

[Jim Kerr]

Note that while many people "do the safety stop" (finning and holding onto something because they can't maintain buoyancy), directly afterwards they shoot to the surface from 15ft, sometimes doing this in only 5 seconds or less, leading to a ridiculous ascent rate where the pressure differential is at its greatest during the dive (eg, where a slow ascent matters the most).

While doing stops is important, I would also advocate slowing down on your ascent from the safety stop. It should take you at least 30 seconds to ascend from 15ft, doing the 30ft/min rule.

I "had" a buddy that would do that "every" single dive. It drove me nuts. I would say something to him about it but he would just shine me on. Some day it's going to reach out and bite him. :headshake:

 

[Gombessa]

They will not allow you to use it if you do not have a Nitrox c- card.

Ideally. I mention this because I have in the past been offered Nitrox fills without a card in a resort town.

 

[Jim Kerr]

Ideally. I mention this because I have in the past been offered Nitrox fills without a card in a resort town.

I guess I should have said "not suppose" to let you. Yeah I've also heard of them letting people dive who aren't certified, but I think they're getting tougher on them for doing that.

 

[Thalassamania]

I do a "safety" stop whenever practical, isn't that what the 500 PSI reserve is for? Hanging under that boat and off gassing? Gas does no good whatsoever when left in the tank just so that the DM will think that you a right guy.

 

[Blackwood]

I do a "safety" stop whenever practical, isn't that what the 500 PSI reserve is for?

Well, it's certainly not for your buddy in the case that he has an equipment failure (as we've learned in the past week or so).

 

[diver 85]

At the very worst, this particular diver gets 3 or more minutes of 'sight time' in while stopping there....I would say the guy isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer etc etc etc.....btw, I'm thinking he paid a pretty penny for the trip, why not get ALL his monies worth....