Botched safety stop - how big an issue?

[Meggie66]

Hi

Recently I did a boat dive to 64 feet with a bottom time of about 20 minutes. On the way up I had an issue with getting air out of my BC, so was unable to stop myself ascending until about 8 feet. I then descended to 16 feet and did the safety stop as planned. I decided to sit out the next dive to be on the safe side. I'm still here so obviously no ill effects, but just wondering how much of a risk this type of scenario is (not that I plan to repeat it!).

All the best

 

[Dirty-Dog]

Assuming this was your first dive of the day, then it does not sound there was any significant risk. You were no where near your NDL for a 64 foot dive, so the safety stop is optional.

 

[DandyDon]

Safety stops are suggested, not required, altho still a good idea. It's common for newbies to hit the inflate button instead of deflate button at times and end up on the surface prematurely, but going back down to do the stop helps. Going to 8 ft before getting back down is not even a miss really. Always good to be safe, but I would not have skipped the next dive. 64 feet for 20 minutes: kinda blew thru your air huh? It'll get better.

 

[spectrum]

The safety stop just a precaution, it's not required decompression. As such you were clear to go straight to the surface at 30 FPM. In terms of body stress a rapid ascent to 8 feet would be more taxing than missing the stop.

With 20 minutes at 64 feet you had plenty of margin.

Pete

 

[Meggie66]

Thanks everyone for the advice, really appreciate it

64 feet for 20 minutes: kinda blew thru your air huh? It'll get better.

Yep Don, I'm a certified air hog! As you say, I'm hoping it'll get better with experience.

Thanks again all!

 

[Rhone Man]

I dive with two very "old school" divers. Try as I might, I cannot persuade them that these "new fangled" safety stops are a good idea. So far neither of them have died.

Closer you get to your NDLs, the wiser the idea becomes. But a missed safety stop is not like a missed mandatory deco stop.

 

[TSandM]

I would say you are probably in very good company, when it comes to some lack of control of your ascent, and some yo-yoing on stop depth. I certainly can tell you I did MANY dives early in my career that went like that. With the minimal gas loading you had, you were at pretty low risk (so long as you didn't hold your breath). Practice will help you learn to slow your ascent and hit your stops. If I can learn it, ANYBODY can!

 

[Meggie66]

Thanks again everyone for the advice - good to know!