Safety Stop Depth

[Tassie Diver]

Originally Posted by ppo2_diver

I've been doing something different for the past couple years. I've been doing 1 minute at 30 feet, 1 minute at 20 feet, and 1 minute at 10 feet. It reduces the chance of bubble growth, as bubbles form more easier from 15 feet to the surface than at 30 feet. Plus, it forces you to control your ascent and focus on slowing down. Which is always a good thing on ascents.

I like your thinking and do a similar thing. But I would consider increasing the stop time at the shallower depths.

Something like: 9m/1min 6m/2min 3m/3min.

As you said, the deeper stop controls ascent, but it has the added advantage of filtering bubbles through the lungs while they are smaller and easier to get rid of. Bubbles existing at 3 metres won't disappear as quickly, but if the rest of the dive is non-provocative, the deep stop will help lots.

Cheers

TD.

[navyhmc]

Originally Posted by Tassie Diver

I like your thinking and do a similar thing. But I would consider increasing the stop time at the shallower depths.

Something like: 9m/1min 6m/2min 3m/3min.

As you said, the deeper stop controls ascent, but it has the added advantage of filtering bubbles through the lungs while they are smaller and easier to get rid of. Bubbles existing at 3 metres won't disappear as quickly, but if the rest of the dive is non-provocative, the deep stop will help lots.

Cheers

TD.

+1!!! The big reason for the 3 minutes is that is the approximate time it takes the blood to make at least one if not two complete cycles through the circulatory system. Deep Stops help with this as well.

[cummings66]

As long as they're not too deep. I find that as an aging adult who still thinks he's young that the deep stops allow me to make more dives per day without feeling tired.

Real effect, similar to what many say Nitrox does for them. Plus, I've dove with NavyHmc and I know he takes the deep stops seriously as do I. It works. Just look at any deco chart or program.