GrumpyOldGuy
Contributor
Here is how I look at it. Do I have enough gas to safely do a 5 minute stop? Do I have any other pressing reason to get out of the water? Am I here to dive? A safety stop is still diving, and sometimes the best diver mistakes are made at the safety stop, giving you something to chuckle about. Often, the manta rays and whale sharks swim by on the safety stop. There is no good reason not to stretch it out.
BINGO, WE HAVE A WINNER!
I never understand people who rush to finish a dive. You paid for the dive so you might was well stretch it out until you run low on gas or hit the dive boat window. I am constantly amazed about the different view at 15' under the boat rather than being 3' off the reef. Everything from seals to reef fish looking for a handout from the boat. Even shore diving, there is an amazing amount of sea life in the top 15'. Its like "free" dive time or a friend offering to but you a beer, why turn it down.