SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Test Prep

Safety stops are a critical safety procedure for divers during ascent, primarily aimed at allowing nitrogen to be safely dissipated from the body. When divers are underwater, particularly at greater depths, their bodies absorb nitrogen from the breathing gas under pressure. As they ascend to the surface, the pressure decreases, which can cause dissolved nitrogen to form bubbles in the body if the ascent is too rapid.

By incorporating a safety stop, typically at around 15 feet for 3 to 5 minutes, divers allow their bodies time to off-gas the excess nitrogen in a controlled manner, reducing the risk of decompression sickness, commonly known as "the bends." This practice promotes safer diving and underscores the importance of managing dissolved gases in the body as the pressure changes during ascent.

The other options do not contribute to the primary reasons for a safety stop. While enjoying the view might be a pleasant benefit of taking a break during ascent, it is not the primary purpose of a safety stop. Demonstrating diving skills may occur, but it is not an established rationale behind safety stops. Completing dive time speaks to logging dives or adhering to training protocols but does not directly relate to the physiological benefits achieved through safety stops.