How to perform a scuba safety stop like a Pro!

[@everythingscuba]

How did you learn to perfect your safety stop technique? Subscribe to Everything Scuba (If you're already subscribed, thanks! We appreciate your support!) kzbin.info/door/qkYj52oqx4kie11AMtdRDw

[@mikedavies4694]

I have found that my safety stop is much easier in zero vis if I launch a dsmb, and use that to help hold my position.

[@albertamato7620]

For any inland divers going to ocean diving for the first time. remember that if you need to throw up, keep the reg in your mouth. I was not taught that lake diving, but over heard it being said on a boat dive on a rocking boat. A few days later, I am glad I over heard that advice! Probably saved my life.

[@tylerbaird7287]

Yikes! This is why you're told that you are certified for the environment/conditions you were taught in and NOT for other places. You should go through a refresher when you go to an area with wildly different conditions like lake vs ocean diving

[@kotro88]

I'm a dive pro and this is all sound advice. For those asking about weighting, trim and buoyancy at the end of the dive on the safety stop....If possible, try to adjust your weighting (do a weight check) with an empty tank (500 psi) instead of using a full one. This might take some logistics in that you may have to borrow a somewhat empty tank to practice this and dial it in, but if you can do it, you'll have a lot more success at getting your weighting right. Manage your weight for the end of the dive when you weigh less, not the beginning! :)

[@Birdylockso]

Thanks for the tip! It does make sense to do the weighing with an empty tank instead of a full one. This would mean about an extra pound should be added for me, because I always feel too light at the end of my dive. I had to really try hard to let go of the air.

[@TheCavecrawler]

One lesson I learned recently is that ascending whilst reeling in a ratchet line for an SMB adds another task to the ascent and tied up both hands making ascent control much more difficult. Definitely a skill to practice more. Great vid guys!

[@everythingscuba]

That’s a great point Dave. Definitely takes a bit more concentration to control that rate of ascent when you have secondary tasks on top! Thanks for watching!

[@muellermay]

I prefer to be a little bit more negative when handling a dsmb and spool, as i can work me up bit by bit (still being in horizontal trim) on the line without shooting up and maintaining the pull on the line keeping the dsmb straight.

[@TheCavecrawler]

@@muellermay agreed, I have also marked the line at 6m so I have a visual reference for my safety stop.

[@Joshua-ri8cu]

If I’m on an anchor line I typically don’t deploy but if I’m in open water (like I just aborted or ended a dive) then I will release my SMB during my safety stop. I have a belt reel and I can tell you it is noticeably easier to handle. I just take out my smb clip it to the reel on my hip and 2 puffs from my safe second and it’s up. I can also real it in like a fishing reel as I ascend. I use a combination of weight belt and weight in my bcd and I enjoy knowing I have my dive knife and a very useful reel with me at all time. It is also used when I spearfish as I can clip it to my gun and let the whole thing go as I ascend to the surface.

[@heinpkoi]

Love the way you handled the comments, I'm subscribing to your channel because you seem open minded and I believe you'll teach me great safety technique with your pool of user comments as a added benefit! congrats on this great mindset!

[@angelolee9044]

I just learned how gradient factors work, and I believe every diver should learn how to apply this knowledge in their dives as a whole and especially in deep stops and safety stops. It totally changed how I want to dive from this point onwards. I will be trying it out for the first time when I dive next week.

[@Chogogo717]

I’m still a nee OW diver. I liked the demo with the piece of paper. Made a lot of sense.

[@everythingscuba]

Thanks Caleb! How many dives do you have now?

[@Chogogo717]

@@everythingscuba 5, but they were my OW and PPB dives. My wife snd I were certified in August, and planned on goi my back home to Bonaire to dive in December, but that trip got scrubbed from COVID. My wife is bummed because she is nervous about our trip to Mahahual because it’s all boat dives. She loves Bonaire because all the walk in walk out access.

[@everythingscuba]

@@Chogogo717 with practice it will all get easier! Check out our series on Boat Diving. It covers the etiquette and what to watch for: kzbin.info/aero/PLiTZTkl7G_gy4awZK-sMWVsY8ZjI47Tyt

[@Chogogo717]

@@everythingscuba I will certainly do that. Her biggest fear is relying on a boat crew she doesn’t know. She thinks we are gona get left behind cause they won’t do a head count right.

[@michaelh2217]

I got my OW cert in Grand Cayman 2 weeks ago, had fantastic instruction. Now by watching more videos like this it’s really helping to enforce what I have already learned and can build on that experience on my next Dive

[@tc1718]

Hey Michal, CONGRATLATIONS!

[@kaitlynengelland2723]

How much was everything. I need to get my diving certification to go on to get accepted in the commercial diving association program. I dont want a 5 week course. Ik Florida has a 2 week course and I knew that the caymens has a 3 day course.

[@davewme]

I’m from the north In Saskatchewan. But dive in Florida in winter.. I’ve learned to watch prop chop or small critters, floating in the water as a hang guide for safety stop. Good vid tho, I enjoy your channel:).

[@edwardlandry8776]

I have been diving for 40 years now and I thought I would just mention something on the section about know when you are at the correct depth. I just recently starting using a cpu, call me cheap or old school (can't believe I waited so long so nice having one). I always had a marker @ 15 ft on my smb or dive flag ( if I am shore diving). I agree as with the safety bar if there are high swells your smb or flag will go up-n-down so this method may not be best for beginners but I thought you might like the input.

[@everythingscuba]

Thanks Edward. That is great suggestion. Some divers will use this in very bad visibility. We even tie a knot in our line at 15 feet so we can feel that and know we are at the correct depth. Good suggestion. Thanks for your comments.

[@kennethjmcarthur2428]

Great points. Always good to hear these things again & again over the years. Diving for 52 years. How things have changed and some never do. I do agree with conserving energy/gas but sometimes it is just fun to explore with your partner and actually kick those fins other than a frog kick. I find it frustrating to surface with 800 PSI. My recreational diving trips often include new buddies every dive. Many seem to wander off on their own from the group. Enjoyed this article on safety stops. Good divers always try to be better.

[@markshoub7335]

I will sometimes use the anchor rope as a gauge if it isn’t moving much. I can see if I am moving up or down. If it isn’t moving, I may grab it at 15 ft., while I wait my 3 min. If it’s moving around, I stay clear of it, and depend upon my dive computer for depth.

[@g1llifer]

Doing my first wreck dive requiring safety stops on Monday! Thanks for the tips 🤙🤙

[@MichaelWerle]

Hi guys, just saw this after your follow-up one. First of all, super-gratifying to see you talk about speed of ascend during the last 5 meters - I see far too many divers just shoot straight up as soon as they're done. I do have a comment on the "no sculling/finning" point though. While, yes, in general, that is absolutely the approach to have during a dive (the less effort, the less gas usage), during the safety stop we're actively trying to off-gas. Especially after a nice relaxed (and possibly cool) dive, our circulation will have slowed down quite a bit, particularly in our extremities. So being a bit more active during the safety stop to increase overall circulation to encourage offgassing might not be a bad thing. Personally I'll flex and stretch my fingers, arms, legs etc. even if it doesn't "look good". Thoughts?

[@diveinstructordaniel1095]

You should do your stop in an horizontal position that your whole body decompress at the same time. If your feet are below you your feet are decompressing at another rate as your upper body.

[@everythingscuba]

Thanks for your comments. We have addressed this topic in lengthy previous answer to a comment. See below. While we agree with your statement, not all divers want to or are able to always do a safety stop horizontally. Also given that each tissue has different M value the rate of decompression varies and as such tissues don’t all decompress at the same rate regardless of which position we are in. We don’t disagree with you, but variations do and can occur. In short, whether you are vertical or horizontal, it is better than not doing a safety stop at all. Thank for watching.

[@vhockada]

I’m not a scuba diver. My open water is this Saturday but reading this comment I have an opinion about it so here goes. Yes your feet are lower than your chest but even so, your feet are the last to get on the boat so it kind of evens out in a sense. Does that make sense?

[@olafs7022]

That’s just silly

[@esp69st]

Agree 100%...

[@graememckay9972]

​@@vhockada yeh, but your feet were also first in the water so started the dive sooner. Hope you enjoyed your OW course.

[@ericrollings]

I completed my certification last week. Yesterday I went in my 6/7th dives. On 6, the BCD inflated rapidly because of a stuck valve in the inflator. As a new diver, I was terrified. As I’m zooming toward the surface like a cork, I’m wondering if I will have decompression issues…. Thankfully we were only at 10 -12 meters for less than 10 minutes. Thankfully, I was alright, just shaken. The five master came up, calmed me down and we finished the five. I’ve learned a couple tips that could remedy the same situation. I’m the proud new owner of a BCD. At least I know how it’s been maintained and if it has an issue, I’m aware of it. I will pick up everything else when I return to the US ( currently I. The Philippines). Thank you for producing content that newbies can understand as well as advanced divers. Can you please do a video on how to get waste out of my wetsuit if one was to soul himself. 😂

[@r2Kd0ugernaut]

thanks Dive Talk, now im sat here at 2 in the morning watching everything scuba safety. i dont even dive...

[@bobmargulis8912]

Worth mentioning that if you do add air to your BCD to become neutrally buoyant at 15' that you need to release that air when you start your ascent after the safety stop so you don't ascend too quickly.

[@maxtorque2277]

One reason NOT to ascend too slowly from athe last stop is because once shallower than around 5m you are at risk from boats and other surface vessels! If you are diving in crowded waters, be sure to keep an eye and ear out (you'll hear a boat before you see it especially in poor vis), and use a SMB or dSMB to show your position to surface users (as well as your own boats captain who hopefully is looking out for you! (top tip- mark the top of your SMB with a unique marker, your name in big letters, or coloured tape and show your captain what it looks like BEFORE you dive over the side so they know precisely who to come scoop out of the water). If it's really busy and there can be a lot of boat traffic at popular dive spots, then i would extend my 5m stop by a few minutes, try and get as close as possible to "my" boat (top tip, after your intial bubble check at say 3m, take a look at the hull of your boat from below and try and remember what it looks like, colour, identifiying features etc, if the captain is using a hang bar, then ask them to mark that bar with an identifiying feature, ie bands of coloured tape or similar) and then surface at a reasonable rate, say around 10 to 20 sec to do those last 15 feet. This also helps stop any surface currents from dragging you away from your boat too! If you are really pro, note which way the current was dragging you when you went in, and surface up current of your boat, and allow the current to push you closer! Finally, if in big group, before you hog the ladder to try to get first back on board, ask if any other diver needs to go first, someone might be sick, tired, or cold, and welcome being able to get back on board first :-)

[@everythingscuba]

Max, you make some great points! Thanks for adding more information for our viewers! Appreciate your comments!

[@toriless]

Many locations require a SMB, so your point is commonly moot.

[@leopoldbloom4835]

Especially for new divers the safety stop is a good time to train skills like bouyancy control or deploying an DSMB (no reason not to do so, even if someone else has already). It’s a couple of minutes when your dive is done and you can focus on practicing.

[@everythingscuba]

Those great suggestions! Might as well make use of that idle time....why not practice! Thanks for watching!

[@josedp]

I'm a recreational diver and I have a practice that I have not seen anywhere (I Let my bodies and the captain know). I hover at feens level when every body surfaces. It allows for a more gentle final ... it is more comfortable with waves ... it must be better decompression ... I'm the last one on board ... I like it :) What do you think?

[@coralcoral6094]

Im from maldives and haven’t done a dive for a long time it surely did refresh things.thank you

[@everythingscuba]

So glad it helped you! Thanks for watching!

[@lydialeigh4]

Lots of good information here. I have been used to holding a line during safety stops on boat dives, but local quarry diving this past summer helped (forced) me to practice my breath control at 15 feet instead of ho,ding on to something.Thanks for the helpful vertical tips!

[@everythingscuba]

With practice Lydia you will get it down! Thanks for watching!

[@yoramshechori6910]

When ascending. I will hover at 7-8m for a minute to check my buoyancy before ascending to the 5m safety stop. I found I get better control of the safety stop following this procedure. I prefer to execute horizontal SS, all my organs are at the same depth for even decompression. One more emergency that will cause you to skip the SS is in case of lost buddy

[@christopherambrogio818]

This is The first vid I have watched from you guys. I Was really enjoying until you started talking about doing a safety stop in a vertical position. There is ZERO reason to be out of trim and be vertical during the dive, especially during the safety stop. For a few reasons. 1. This puts your body in a position where now all the tissues of the body are not off gassing at the same time. While likely minimal we are doing the safety stop to make sure we off gas safely so the whole of the body should be at the same depth to allow it to off gas at the “same rate” 2. It is building a bad habit to be in a vertical position during the dive, and remaining horizontal takes practice. You likely don’t have anything else to do during the safety stop, this makes the safety stop a perfect time to practice your buoyancy and trim. 3. As you mentioned in the video it takes less gas and less effort to stay in the same spot in the water column while horizontal because of surface area and drag, so why should we want to “work harder” to remain in the safe area to complete the safety stop. 4. While this relates to #3 it mostly speaks to newer divers, who Haven’t mastered buoyancy yet. As we come up we should be releasing gas from the BCD to compensate for gas expansion caused by the decreasing pressure as we go up, when we then adjust to a vertical position in this case for the safety stop we have now changed our surface area thus very RAPIDLY changing our buoyancy characteristics. Given that the greatest pressure differential is between that 15 feet and the surface this can very easily result in a diver bottle rocketing to the surface thus negating the point of the safety stop. And now we are risking DCS on top of lung over expansion injury. Especially for newer divers I actually advocate that the safety stop should be completed at 20-15 feet, instead of 15 to 20. meaning ascend to 20 feet, before proceeding to 15. This gives time to assure they have better control of their buoyancy before they reach the more “difficult” shallower 15 feet. If you ascend to 15 feet and then attempt to get control over your buoyancy it’s likely by then you have already blown the safety stop. Thank you guys for the video, I really did enjoy the content.

[@everythingscuba]

Christopher, thank you for your excellent comments. We certainly agree with your statements regarding being in a horizontal position for safety stops but over the years have seen divers use a vertical position because it is more comfortable for them and have heard some state that they prefer to be able sere above them at their stop. So if it is more comfortable and eases visualization on their way to the surface, it’s better than not making a safety stop at all. It certainly is harder to hover vertically due to the decrease in surface area presented and thus newer divers should indeed be encouraged to remain horizontal. In terms of your thoughts of slowly easing into your safety stop depth starting at around 20 feet, that is an excellent recommendation. Allowing new divers to slowly ease into that 15-18 foot range without blowing past it. (During my recent rebreather training, the buoyancy characteristics are much different and I found myself having to use that exact technique to maintain my position.) Josh and I strive to provide accurate and safe information and appreciate you taking the time to point out these issues. Thanks for watching!

[@christopherambrogio818]

@@everythingscuba thank you for taking the time to reply!

[@everythingscuba]

We hope to have a channel that is open to constructive dialogue amongst all divers. Not all of us are going to agree 100% with each other always but we aren’t too proud to not also learn from our viewers. That’s the great thing about the dive community. Very much appreciate your comments.

[@lazenbytim]

@@everythingscuba yeh bugger that I like a bot of narc when I get out, a couple of beers and then the party starts. Obviously not on multi dives, but a bit of Nos never hurt anyone.... xx

[@seanw7917]

The opening response is correct. You shouldn't be in a vertical position period when doing your safety stop. Being more relaxed in a vertical position is not an overriding reason for doing your stop in a less safe way. If you are a tall person 6'0 to 6'5 and are reading your computer at head level, but that means your feet could be at 21', 22' or even 23' during your safety stop based on your breathing and possible lack of skill holding your position. This is less safe... Next for new divers, the safety stop is a perfect time to work on buoyancy and breathing. Get flat, stay flat and level.ost divers as we get experience go deeper and longer, which means bad safety stop habits learned early in our career equals to a lot less safety later. Start with good habits, end with good habits.

[@margaretriyan284]

On a personal level I will ALWAYS do my safety stop in a horizontal position. I believe this to be more effective than staying in an upright position.

[@everythingscuba]

Thanks for your comment and watching Margaret! Funnily enough, we will soon have a new video addressing this very topic…..horizontal vs vertical safety stops!

[@davidressler9316]

i do like the idea of the safety bar. but yes if its rough that could make you rather motion sick. especially if there is really nothing to look at

[@everythingscuba]

It certainly helps new divers to get acclimated to that safety stop depth, but eventually we encourage our students to hover all by themselves. Thanks for your comment David and thanks for watching!

[@ADubb-rc4yv]

EXCELLENT INFO!!! Thank you guys.

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

Since you're not doing much during you safety stop anyways, it's a good time to practice some of your fundamental skills. Do some OOG or mask clearing skills. Try your alternate air, can't hurt to make sure it works as well in the water as it did on the boat. Flip your buddy the bird and make a run for it, see who's faster (some hand signals work equally well in the water as on land).

[@everythingscuba]

Thanks for the tips!

[@jimpowers5932]

What’s the tip for not losing your balance while in a vertical deco stop? I have no problem holding the 15’ but staying vertical without kicking or sculling can be a problem.

[@sayittrue9570]

Whilst diving in Egypt especially from the shore I prefer to swim back along the reef edge at 5 meters.get to see a lot whilst still technically diving.Safety stop achieved in this process .

[@everythingscuba]

We love doing a safety stop when we can still be diving and having fun too! Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching!

[@jessswan3179]

love this channel it’s helping me so much with my college class

[@everythingscuba]

We we will glad to hear this Jess. Thank you for your kind comments!

[@jimmykabisch3258]

Great channel content guys, everything scuba🤙. I really appreciate your time and efforts for putting these videos together and thank you.The wife and I have recently been practicing our safety stops at the end of our shore dives and have struggled a bit to stay within the 2 foot sweet spot. Like everything else in scuba it is so important to just relax. I like the suggested vertical zen position here. I will definitely try to get it to a breath controlled safety stop.

[@everythingscuba]

With patience and practice I'm sure you'll get it down! Thanks for your comment and your kind words about our channel!

[@timbarnett3898]

I tied eyelet loop for boat cleat in one end of 60ft white anchor rope with a mushroom anchor at other end, filled with lead. I tied one terks head knot at 10ft down from water surface. 2 terks head knots at 20ft. 3 terk heads at 30ft. 4 knots at 40ft.. When diving, first lower this anchor from cleat. so when I want to stop at 40ft stop from surface I ascend up rope with hand until I come too 4 knots on rope! After that outgassing stop I want to go to 20ft, I ascend up rope till I feel 2 knots. (Lead in mushroom anchor adds enough weight to not allow much lift in anchor while at depth stops.)

[@gbates122]

When I got my cert many years ago, we were taught to not assend faster then the small or slow bubbles. They are close to 1 foot per second.

[@MrDallaskincaid]

I didn't go through all the comments, but one thing I'll do during safety stops is essentially orbit at 15' at a horizontal. Just because you're doing your safety stop doesn't mean your dive is over. A lot of people sit there completely focused on their watch/SPG and miss out on some great things that might be swimming under you. Now, of course, if the vis is horrible and it was a deep dive, I will typically just wait vertical. But I will still scan around looking for things that might be swimming on by...

[@everythingscuba]

This is very true Dallas! You can see some very cool things hanging out at your safety stop! Thanks for your comment!

[@friggincanvee]

I think if you're adding air to maintain buoyancy at the end of a dive, fair to say you're overweight right? Regardless whether upright or prone.

[@R3AL258DIVING]

You mentioned your from the Midwest what state I’m from Missouri. I’m new to diving and trying to learn as much possible

[@stuartmcnicol2914]

Safety stops in currents may require you to hold the anchor line. I have looked like a flag in the wind at times. Excellent video, Thanks!

[@ruebencover5795]

If they are making you do that then they don't know what they are doing. In that situation you need a break away deco station

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

I usually don’t hang about in a vertical position, I find it offers way less control in water that actually moves, that is to say big open sea swells, diverse currents, or waves building in the shallows near a beach. What I mean by control is readiness for a variety of actions be that buouyancy adjustments that go beyond what my lungs allow me to control, or assisting or responding to other divers that I am responsible for. I want to be able to perform horizontal movement immediately if I have to. I do not need to be in a vertical position to control my buoyancy or to orient myself about my overhead and the surface. Frankly I also find breathing more relaxed in the horizontal position as the ambient pressure is not working against the volume in the lungs in the same way - and the regulator certainly is in a more optimal position in terms of air delivery. Some environments do not even really permit the downward extension of your legs and fins where you may bump into all kinds of things - and in others they open you to different water movements at different levels as you hang there like a sail waiting to receive the crosswinds. It’s not aquadynamic. On some night dives you will be at greater risk of bumping into all manner of shit underneath you, especially if you are getting moved by the current - and again - you have to change orientation to respond to anything, which in turn will change your position in the column and shift your buoyancy - which may matter in uneasy, shallow waters. In terms of body/algorithm relationships you can also argue that the horizontal position keeps all of you at the actual level of your computer but unless you have been really pushing it, that should not really matter. On a calm day I may do a bit of the old guru levitation style stuff sure if the general vibe in the group and the water is relaxed, but for all practical intents and purposes I prefer the level position any day of the week. I may also do it, while turning if it’s an especially busy area with a lot of stuff going on at the surface.

[@briantaylor9594]

A question I have is how to perfect my center of gravity so I can hold my position in the water? I’ve tried to “Buddha” in the water and I keep tipping over causing me to scull and kick. My BCD has limited places to put trim weights.

[@everythingscuba]

Brian, the position of your trim weights certainly hold the secret to maintaining your center of gravity. Some divers forego the use of the trim pockets and may place weights on tank bands or other locations to optimize their trim. We have found that the use of a backplate or a BCD with pockets located inside the back of the BCD so that the weight is held closer to your body helps decrease that "falling back" or "rolling" motion caused by weight away from your body. Not that we are here to sell courses, but the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Course , works on all aspects of weighting, trim position and hovering skills. Depending on your certifying agency, locate an instructor who would work with you to help improve your trim and buoyancy. Thanks for the question and thank you for watching!

[@joeyankee1141]

Practice practice practice. And try putting some weight back on a belt in the front, just left and right of the buckle. This will help with trim position diving and at safety stop.

[@mysteryliner]

Biggest thing to realise is that the 3-5min stop is less important that the way you execute it & what you do afterwards. Example of dive trips: - dude on a trip was flailing, his stops were constantly moving between 3 and 8meter, but he always made sure to full 5 minutes, not 4:58 or 4:59. That would be dangerous. Between dives he would go for a run, evening activities: (drinking, sauna & being the last one in the bar.) - a different dive pair were usually the last of the group to hover around the safety stop, they were horizontal, relaxed, kept great and constant depth, and after about 3minutes would be the first to give the okay signal and slowly ascend to the boat... Slowly as in: they always got passed by others in the last 3meters.... one in the 20-25 dives they did a 6-7min stop while the rest was climbing on the boat or floating on the surface..... This was a deeper dive, to minimise exhaustion from stronger than anticipated currents.

[@jerardwashington7390]

Thank you once again

[@INTERNA9]

Love it! Thanx

[@kjdtm]

plan your dive in such a way, the the return is going to be in more shallower waters, just to add another safety margin before your 3@5

[@jimpowers5932]

Do you have any tips for staying vertical and not tipping over? I have no problem staying at 15’ but sometimes crossing my fins makes me want to tip over.

[@mysteryliner]

Weight placement, (apart from buying specific equipment) placement of the tank on the jacket, how you wear your jacket, trial and error, try, fail and play around.

[@FaithisKey792]

Thank you very much.

[@sdmailman6393]

I see your both wearing glasses. Do you use prescription inserts for your googles...

[@ArphelC]

Hey guys! Great channel! Very educational for beginners and advanced divers! Glad To sub!

[@everythingscuba]

Thanks for the very kind words. Glad our channel is offering something for you! Cheers for the comment. Thanks for watching and subscribing! 👌

[@TheVinny360]

Thanks a lot guys that was well explained I am going on my open water dive soon and definitely a little nervous on the safety stop and going up and down I was having a hard time in the pool session to sink but I get a second pool session due to the virus stuff cuz it has been awhile since then an they wanna have a lil refresher 👍

[@everythingscuba]

Hey good luck with your open water dives! Let us know how our tips helped your ability to perform a safety stop! Thanks for your comments and thanks for watching!

[@DEVINE.IMAGE.]

Its very easy to pick up just never stop practicing and dive alot

[@TheVinny360]

@@DEVINE.IMAGE. thank you 😊 I am officially certified I’ll be adding some videos to my channel soon make sure to come sub so u can see them and I have definitely gotten better already

[@DEVINE.IMAGE.]

@@TheVinny360 i will definitely have a watch mate im a ccr tech diver might even start doing some myself

[@jadedelite]

Question... newbie open water diver here. After the stop and you're finished, on the final ascent, should you be angling towards the boat (presuming you're not already right under it) or should you go straight up, surface, and then make your way to the boat?

[@everythingscuba]

Denny, thanks for your question. You could ascend in either manner. If ascending in a horizontal trim position then a slanted ascent may be easier to see above you and in the direction you are traveling. If you are in a vertical position then a straight up vertical scent may be easier. Either way though the biggest factor is to ascend slowly from your safety stop at a rate no greater than 1 foot per second (some agencies even prefer a rate of no greater than a half foot per second). The reason. For this slow ascent is in the last 30 feet (10m) of your final scent you experience the greatest percentage of pressure change to reach the surface. We often see divers doing a great job of slowly ascending to their safety stop then blast to the surface after completing their safety stop. Not what you want to do. Thanks for watching!

[@jadedelite]

@@everythingscuba thanks. Where in the midwest do you guys work? I got certified on a recent trip to Bali (what amazing reefs there!) but would love to find somewhere more local to keep diving as well (S. Louis area). Best I've seen for "neat stuff to explore" is Beaver Creek in AK (but having trouble finding a dive shop doing dives there post covid), and Bonne Terre mines lake here in Missouri.

[@79joev79]

@@everythingscuba That rate would give me serious DCS (I'm diagnosed with PFO on my heart) so I prefer ascend rate 10fpm (1 foot in 6 seconds)

[@Mike_Marco]

Thanks!

[@jmpublicvideos]

What is special at the 15ft point? I thought it would make sense if you had a 3min at each bar during accent

[@amilshrivastava3798]

This was very helpful

[@everythingscuba]

So glad you found it helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@chiranagheorghitaeugeniuth98]

First accept my excuses if I will be too incisive further. I am amazed that you give pro advice and you don't even mention that is HIGHLY recommended that you do a safety stop in a horizontal position because of one essential reason: All of those theoretical tissues considered by the different algorithms used by scuba computers and tables will do a proper "safety stop" beeing at the same depth as the lungs and as the dive computer/depth gage so they will equalize gas pressures in the optimum way possible. Also why the heck are you mentioning decompression in a technique (safety stop) aplicable to rec diving ?? Very pro-tips in this vid :)).

[@searching4279]

Thankyou shareing you on my channel

[@Mike-London-UK]

That was scary... But excellent life support exercises/lessons to know. ... I've never dived before, by the way.

[@apetogetherstrong6600]

I think being horizonal is better in current and also swim around is more interesting than stay there

[@davetheman2615]

Thank you guys, great video, helped me a lot

[@BenMolinaro]

Thx shared with mom 👌

[@everythingscuba]

Lol!

[@stephenduling5024]

Thanks I learned some new techniques

[@SRDXXF]

I always emergency ceasar as soon as I hit 10 metres no worries.

[@STARLITER]

How to avoid getting run over by a fast boat while surfacing? (even with SMB). (No mention in the video).

[@percedR6]

thx man

[@everythingscuba]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaelplumpton8873]

I’m up and down on my stop,can’t hold it properly,get me near structure I can get it spot on

[@bmtr11111]

ty

[@minukaasel]

Great Video! THANKS!

[@audyisme1906]

Thank you!

[@everythingscuba]

You're welcome!

[@audyisme1906]

@@everythingscuba Now, I have AOW. I live in Thailand. I’m pursuing to become a scuba diving instructor to have more knowledge to help people and animals in the water. It may takes years because the money, but I’ll do my best. Thank you so much for what you’re doing.🤙🏼

[@everythingscuba]

@@audyisme1906 we wish you the very best!

[@audyisme1906]

@@everythingscuba Thank you so much. Keep up your good work. I need to learn more skills, especially, your real life experience.😃🤙🏼

[@noriwklee]

after the safety stop, even though I tried to slowly adjusting my breath to allow me ascend slowly.. still my computer warned me most of the time that I ascend too fast....

[@joshbainbridge5086]

What about if you are doing a safety stop at 22 metres in freshwater

[@everythingscuba]

If you mean for a decompression stop in freshwater, this video was purely aimed at recreational Divers who are we making their safety stop at 5 m or 15 feet.

[@mostafabeshir4615]

Great video. Thanks

[@everythingscuba]

Thanks for watching. Glad you got something out of it!

[@jmpublicvideos]

Never ascend faster then your exhale bubbles is what I was taught

[@FloresEsteban1979]

What are some tips to be able to remain leveled off on your safety stop?

[@everythingscuba]

Esteban we gave several tips in the video to adjust your position and hover....if it is still difficult, talk with an instructor or divemaster to work with you one on one! Good luck to you! Thanks for watching.

[@user-sirscottdouglas]

I never go as fast as my air bubbles.

[@DEVINE.IMAGE.]

Im a ccr diver and all i keep hearing is breath control

[@everythingscuba]

Hi Devine! Yeah, it is pretty ,much impossible to control your buoyancy with breath control on a rebreather. This video was aimed at OC divers (particularly new ones). Our new series on rebreather diving talks about the change in buoyancy characteristics on CCR, it's bit of an adjustment for new CCR divers for sure. Here's a link to our new series. Thanks for watching and thanks for your comment! Link to Rebreather Series: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5imgomAiNF9otU

[@DEVINE.IMAGE.]

@@everythingscuba love the videos mate keep em up

[@johnkilty1419]

Safety stop is a great place to relax and pee. LOL Before you get in the boat.

[@dus10dnd]

It is actually not a good idea to orient off of the master diver. Highly experienced people get EXTREMELY comfortable with what they're doing and their bodies become very tolerant to their environments leading to blind spots in their perception. This is why you're not supposed to rely on someone else's dive computer. And just because you orient off of the dive master doesn't mean you're staying consistently at a good depth.

[@80rippo59]

People that say „I paid for all the air in the tank“ should not be certified.

[@douglaswylie8551]

Reasons not to do a safety stop: if you have lost your buddy underwater and unable to find him, you need to get to the surface without doing a safety stop ?

[@richardmagale8405]

If I have the air...I'll stick around for longer than 3 min. why not? Most people on my last boat dive to 40' decided to swim up...with no stop...TOURISTS! The guide and I got to the surface and partied all the way home 🍸🤣...the rest...🤢

[@robcrowley75]

Relax weight check and and . Relax and enjoy your 3 kg of lift in your lungs .

[@kjdtm]

dont thank someone charming the waters !!!!

[@suekenyon3972]

The photo certainly does not show a professional attitude 😂

[@esp69st]

Standing still while doing a safety stop is totally wrong.. I do light kicks and hoover in a circle to keep blood flow moving helping gases escape.. teach proper safety practice

[@everythingscuba]

Scuba Safety Stop: What is safest?! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqDahYmApt95gtE

[@felipemesquita2940]

A bunch of What????

[@cbakopanos]

Vertical position? Really? 😂

[@everythingscuba]

Scuba Safety Stop: What is safest?! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqDahYmApt95gtE

[@witchieblackcat]

Not sure I'll be watching again. Your understanding of a "satety stop" as opposed to a "mandatory decompression stop" is confused. Safety stops are optional (although you ought to do them if you can). Safety stops and decompression stops should be horizontal because you want all of your body to decompress not just your centre. The paper demonstration was woeful. You're confusing floating in air with buoyancy; if you're neutrally buoyant you won't sink regardless of your trim.

[@everythingscuba]

Scuba Safety Stop: What is safest?! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqDahYmApt95gtE

[@everythingscuba]

We will also. Reference this comment made by an Undersea & Hyberbaric medicine physician @edgolembe: (see comments in the video we posted in reply to you) “I really enjoyed your discussion and rationale for a safety stop. As a diving medicine physician, certified in Undersea & Hyperbarice Medicine, I can say comfortably that as a “safety”, which to me mean avoiding bubble injury (Bends & AGE) the position is of no relevance. The heart pumps in any orientation and off gassing is a function of circulation through the lungs , therefore the position the diver is most comfortable using is just fine, especially if that encourages always doing a safety stop. In diving the “belts and suspenders” approach may well avoid problems. Keep up the thought provoking videos.”

[@everythingscuba]

+Alistair Allen furthermore your understanding of why we did the paper demonstration was “woeful”. We were simply showing that increasing surface areas slows your descent or ascent. We are also fully aware that a safety stop is not a “mandatory decompression stop”, and that being neutrally buoyant in a vertical or horizontal position means you’d remain at that depth regardless of your position. However, newer divers find it generally easier to perform the SS horizontally, not because they would “decompress all of their body” as you ERRONEOUSLY pointed out, (see the video above where we discuss tissue compartments, half times and M-Values), but due to the increased drag and they can more easily correct their buoyancy in that position without a radical change in depth. Thanks for you non-constructive comments.

[@quickdry3]

​@@everythingscuba that would suggest that the "motionless float" is suboptimal for off-gassing as you'd have less circulation through the lungs. This was found in 'Flook 1997 The effect of exercise on decompression bubbles', that mild exercise during decompression will increase gas elimination" as you'd expect being the inverse of increased activity in the bottom phase of a dive increased your nitrogen uptake (also Flook 1997). Overdoing it is a problme and can encourage bubble growth - it's a balancing act, but if a little bit of movement while hovering at 5m is strenuous - you possibly aren't fit enough to be diving safely.

[@esp69st]

I disagree with 50% of the stuff this guys are saying..

[@everythingscuba]

Scuba Safety Stop: What is safest?! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqDahYmApt95gtE

[@amrudiving]

A dive professional is never vertical in the water period

[@everythingscuba]

Hmmm. Not sure you’ve been around a lot of dive professionals then.

[@markwilson8632]

Is there a real need to do a safety stop? Think about it………., no, not really. As sport divers we are not aloud to do decomposition dives. It is something we do because it is taught that now days. It’s not a necessity. Let’s say you dive at 12 meters for 40 minutes and come up to the 3 to 5 for 3 to 5, compared to say 40 meters for 10 minutes then coming up to 5 for 5 minutes mandatory deco stop. There is going to be a lot more nitrogen in your body, then if you did the shallow dives for longer time with no deco stop. I have bean diving for 43 years and only do safety stops when diving with a dive company to keep them satisfied (cover their ass). I have never been in a mandatory decompression situation. PLAN YOUR DIVE, DIVE YOUR PLAN, keep out of deco and you won’t have a problem. By all means keep doing your safety stop as it never hurts to be cautious. Happy bubbles.

[@Yggdrasil42]

While it's true that it's optional that doesn't mean it's a bad idea. It adds quite a bit of safety. In essence every dive is a decompression dive and the last 10 meters have the biggest pressure gradient. Some people do a safety stop, others ascend from 5m at 1m per minute. Both are fine. Bolting to the surface on your third dive of the day may not be. Also remember that not every body is the same. A significant percentage of people have a PFO without knowing it and for them the safety stop adds some much needed safety. That's why we use gradient factors during deco dives too. We shouldn't follow the M-line exactly unless we were all the very fit 20 years old Navy divers that the tables were designed for. Thirdly getting DCS once significantly increases the chance of getting it again, so prevention really is the best approach here. Spend that extra minute.

[@Agranell]

Sorry, but you're making no sense at all. I'll try to explain why I say that. You say that on a RB pressure gradient when not in trim is something to take on account, seems on stops is not. Any pressure change is something to take on account. Is it critical? No. Is it subpar? Absolutelly yes. You say that for decompression diving it's better to go horizontal. But for recreational diving withing NDL limits it's not. Every dive is a deco dive. It's less critical? Obviously yes. Is it the best way to do it? Absolutelly no. You say that being out of trim is easier to see up to the surface or other teammates. Is it correct? Yes. Does it mean the stop to be made the whole time out of trim? Absolutelly no. Sorry, this is MISSINFORMATION every stop should be in trim and, if you get out of trim for any reason (which I might agree it could be needed at some point) you should go back to trim when the issue has been covered. I like your content but, please, I'd prefer that you just accept you showed a subpar video and move on trying to do better the next time. Greetings

[@everythingscuba]

Watch this: Scuba Safety Stop: What is safest?! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqDahYmApt95gtE