Deep stops for recreational diving

[scubadada]

I posted the following in Marine Science and Physiology/Ask Dr Deco and did not get many responses. What do you think?

A recently resurrected thread on Basic Scuba Discussion brought up the topic of deep stops for recreational diving (130 fsw or less, no deco). I have read the Decompression and the Deep Stop Workshop Proceedings from 2008 and am aware that no consensus statement was produced regarding the value or routine implementaion of deep stops for this purpose.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ba...w-naui-standards-deep-stops-safety-stops.html

I would be very interested in the current thinking regarding deep stops in recreational diving.

Good diving, Craig

 

[Superlyte27]

No deco? Why stop? Do a safety stop at 10' and go home.

 

[scubadada]

No deco? Why stop? Do a safety stop at 10' and go home.

Why do the safety stop if your ascent rate was good?

I'm of similar mind regarding the deep stop but am aware there are a diverse variety of opinions, some evidence based, and would like to hear them.

Craig

 

[Blackwood]

Why stop?

+

Do a safety stop

=

 

[Superlyte27]

I threw the safety stop in there to avoid the contraversy from the "safety stop" crowd. It seemed a bit ridiculous to me as I typed it.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I posted the following in Marine Science and Physiology/Ask Dr Deco and did not get many responses. What do you think?

A recently resurrected thread on Basic Scuba Discussion brought up the topic of deep stops for recreational diving (130 fsw or less, no deco). I have read the Decompression and the Deep Stop Workshop Proceedings from 2008 and am aware that no consensus statement was produced regarding the value or routine implementaion of deep stops for this purpose.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ba...w-naui-standards-deep-stops-safety-stops.html

I would be very interested in the current thinking regarding deep stops in recreational diving.

Good diving, Craig

See post #10 in the thread you linked above for my answer to your query. For recreational dives, stops are recommended ... not required. They are recommended for a reason. That reason typically boils down to stacking the odds in your favor. Most recreational divers don't realize how slow 30 FPM is, and typically exceed it on ascent. Making stops tends to slow you down and give your body a chance to get rid of excess offgassing before it can exceed the capacity of your lungs to expel it.

Deep stops benefit your fastest tissues ... which happen to include your brain and spinal cord. Which would you rather have ... an extra minute or two on ascent, or a potentially paralytic hit that could have you wearing diapers for the rest of your life?

Your call ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Stujiro]

I'd think most people considering deep stops are doing so because their computer has the option. Shouldn't these same divers be minding their ascent rates on the same computer? I have a fairly lower end model that beeps, flashes, and gives me a green yellow red indicator to keep track of my ascent rate.

Full disclosure, I do not wear a helmet when i drive my car.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I'd think most people considering deep stops are doing so because their computer has the option. Shouldn't these same divers be minding their ascent rates on the same computer? I have a fairly lower end model that beeps, flashes, and gives me a green yellow red indicator to keep track of my ascent rate.

Full disclosure, I do not wear a helmet when i drive my car.

You should be learning how to not have to rely on your computer to direct your dive profile. Learn to listen to your body instead ... your computer knows nothing about you.

A dive computer is a tool ... not an adviser. Whatever options yours comes with should not be a basis for determining your dive plan ... that's what your brain is for. Learn why slow ascents are essential. Learn about different decompression theories (that's all any of them are, yanno), and what aspects of your physiology make you more or less susceptible to the maladies that can affect you as your body is subjected to the stresses of pressure. Learn why stops are recommended at all ... deep or shallow. Then draw your own conclusions, based upon what you know about your own body. All your computer can tell you is based on an idealized mathematical model that knows nothing about your predispositions, what you ate or drank recently, how much sleep you had last night, or how hard you just worked during the course of your dive. All of those things will impact your susceptibility to decompression sickness, and should be factored into your dive plan.

You don't need extra courses to learn those things ... the information is available right here on ScubaBoard with a little bit of digging. Or you can read a book like "Deco for Divers" by Mark Powell.

Use your computer for its intended purpose, which is to track your progress ... not to dictate it.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Stujiro]

I was merely pointing out that the computer has an ascent rate monitor. Which regardless of how your body is feeling does accurately measure depth and time.

 

[sea2summit]

Why do the safety stop if your ascent rate was good?

Why not? Dive boat going to leave without you?

I've had deco stops greater than 140' and at the end of my last 10' stop I still did a "safety stop" by taking 3 min to get from 10' to the surface if conditions allow.

The key is to have some time to let any funny feelings catch up with you. If you don't stop you wont realize something is wrong until your out of the water and symptomatic, to late to do anything but suck O2 and call 911.