Why You Should Do a Safety Stop After Every Dive

The Safety Stop
Prioritizing safety underwater and at the surface

Safety Stop | Scuba Diving Indonesia | Oceans 5 Gili Air

Every dive you complete is an incredible underwater adventure—whether you're gliding past a reef, discovering a wreck, or floating alongside a turtle. But how you end your dive can be just as important as how it begins. One of the most crucial safety practices in recreational diving is the safety stop: a 3-minute pause at 5 meters (15 feet) before surfacing. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we require safety stops after every dive—not only because it's good practice, but because it's a vital part of our commitment to diver safety.

---

What Is a Safety Stop?

A safety stop is a planned pause in your ascent at a shallow depth—typically 5 meters—for three minutes before surfacing. It is not the same as a decompression stop, which is mandatory when exceeding no-decompression limits. Instead, a safety stop is a precautionary measure, even when you're within your dive computer’s limits. It allows your body extra time to release excess nitrogen absorbed at depth.

---

Why Should You Always Do a Safety Stop?

Even though it’s not mandatory on every dive, here's why every diver—especially conservative, safety-conscious ones—should incorporate a safety stop into their dive routine:

1. Reduces Risk of Decompression Sickness (DCS)

Decompression sickness, also known as "the bends," occurs when nitrogen bubbles form in the bloodstream due to rapid ascents. A safety stop slows your ascent and gives your body a chance to release more nitrogen in a controlled manner. It adds an extra layer of protection—especially after deeper or longer dives.

2. Reinforces Good Habits

Making a safety stop a standard part of your dive routine creates discipline and consistency. It helps instill a mindset of conservative, responsible diving. New divers build muscle memory, and experienced divers maintain best practices.

3. Provides a Controlled Ascent Point

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we teach and guide with an emphasis on controlled ascents. During the safety stop, our instructors or divemasters deploy a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB). This signals boats in the area that divers are ascending, providing protection from potential boat traffic. The SMB not only ensures safety at the surface, but also serves as a visual reference for maintaining your position and depth during the stop.

4. Allows Time to Assess Yourself and Your Team

The safety stop provides a moment to:

• Check your buddy’s condition

• Monitor your own physical state

• Confirm your gas supply

• Adjust buoyancy

• Observe your surroundings one last time

It’s a chance to mentally wrap up your dive and prepare for a safe, relaxed surface interval.

5. You Might Dive Deeper Than You Think

Sometimes, you may unintentionally exceed 18 or even 30 meters on a dive, depending on the profile and dive site. Even if you stay within no-decompression limits, factors such as cold water, exertion, or repetitive diving increase the risk of DCS. A safety stop becomes especially important in such conditions.

---

Why Oceans 5 Gili Air Requires Safety Stops

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, every dive ends with a safety stop at 5 meters for 3 minutes—no exceptions. It's part of our standard operating procedure and dive briefing. Whether you're a beginner or a professional, our instructors and guides will:

• Signal the stop point

• Help you stabilize your buoyancy

• Release a surface marker buoy

• Supervise your 3-minute pause before ascending

This practice not only ensures the diver’s safety but also sets an example for future dive leaders and professionals who are training with us.

---

Make Safety Stops a Habit, Not an Option

Some divers may see safety stops as unnecessary on shallow dives or feel impatient to reach the surface. But skipping a safety stop for convenience is never worth the risk. Building the habit of pausing at 5 meters builds a culture of care, awareness, and professionalism.

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we believe that safe diving is fun diving. That’s why we teach and practice conservative diving techniques, including mandatory safety stops, the use of SMBs, and slow ascents.

Whether you're finishing a fun dive or leading a group as a divemaster or instructor, a safety stop is the final step in showing respect for your body, your team, and the ocean.

---

Remember:
🟢 5 meters
🕒 3 minutes
💬 Always worth it

Because every safe ascent means many more dives to come.