A total noob question that I should know the answer too but...

[cayal]

I should know the answer to this but I have had a total brain meltdown and can't remember the answer.

If, for example, I am diving with a group at around 18 meters and I get separated. I do my look around for a minute and can't find them.
Next step is too surface, since I am so far down, should I do my safety stop before I surface.

Logically I think yes, but I honestly can't remember this being covered when I did my courses.

 

[Adam Grose]

I should know the answer to this but I have had a total brain meltdown and can't remember the answer.

If, for example, I am diving with a group at around 18 meters and I get separated. I do my look around for a minute and can't find them.
Next step is too surface, since I am so far down, should I do my safety stop before I surface.

Logically I think yes, but I honestly can't remember this being covered when I did my courses.

That's about 60', so I would say yes, a safety stop is called for. If you are ever in doubt, go ahead and do the safety stop.

Adam

 

[cayal]

I always would do a safety stop below 10 meters.

Thanks for the reply. I thought it was obvious but safety first.

 

[dtownsend2000]

Ideally yes. Best scenario would be to deploy a marker buoy while conducting your stop. That way the group can locate you on the surface.

 

[vladimir]

Safety stops are optional. If there is some risk in performing the stop, to either you or your buddy, then blow it off. If there is a recall signal from the boat, blow it off. However, if you are opting to skip the safety stop, make doubly sure your ascent speed is within the prescribed limits. For me that means ≤60' per minute to 60', and ≤30' per minute from there.

You should always have a buddy, even if you are diving with a group.

 

[DevonDiver]

Ideally, you'd pre-agree the ascent profile in advance of the dive. i.e. "Search for 1 minute, then ascend and meet at the surface. Conduct safety stop in X circumstances".

The reason it's important to pre-agree the 'separated diver' protocol, to include ascent procedures, is so that all divers have a clear understanding of when to expect a buddy to surface - preventing undue concern and/or saving precious minutes is the other diver is distressed/incapacitated underwater.

Depth is one component of deciding the necessary ascent. The other components are, of course, bottom time and residual nitrogen from previous dives.

If using tables/RDP, I will set myself a pre-designated pressure group for the max depth of that dive. When I exceed that pressure group, I will do a safety stop. With a computer, I will always safety stop within a certain time from my NDL (at the start of the ascent). If I haven't reached that threshold, then I'd forgo the safety stop if other factors determined a direct ascent were beneficial.

 

[Paulmal]

Answer is depends. I would blow off deco stops to save my buddies life. So the question is how much danger are you/ your buddy in because you got separated. That would spectate if I did the safety stop or not. If I was separated from the group then I would do the stop and shoot a bag if there was current, but I'd I was with a inexperienced buddy then I would skip it and find my buddy, but I knew my buddy can make an solo accent then situation would dictate. All depends on the dive.

 

[Pane]

I was out diving recently with a dive school that had the 'no safety stop' approach in case of a lost buddy. I kinda think that makes sense. Your buddy could be on the surface in trouble, and you'd be doing an _optional_ safety procedure below instead of finding and helping them. At least, that's how I took it.

/edit: Also when they are NOT on the surface, but in trouble, you'll be aware of the fact there's a serious situation several minutes faster if you skip the safety stop. /

However you choose to do it, make sure to go over it with your buddy beforehand.

 

[Texasguy]

Well, I think a common scuba safety rule is that your own safety is above everything, your buddy's safety comes second. Thus, if it was a long dive and you don't know for sure that your buddy's life is on the line, I think you better do the stop.

 

[vladimir]

Well, I think a common scuba safety rule is that your own safety is above everything, your buddy's safety comes second. Thus, if it was a long dive and you don't know for sure that your buddy's life is on the line, I think you better do the stop.

If it wasn't a decompression dive, then the stop is optional. That means you can skip it without adding any appreciable risk to your safety. If your criterion for skipping it is that you're "sure that your buddy's life is on the line," you are doing a poor job of weighing the relative risks.