What is the primary purpose of a decompression stop?

The primary purpose of a decompression stop is to pause at a specific depth, allowing excess nitrogen that has been absorbed by the body during the dive to exit the tissues and bloodstream slowly. As divers descend, the increased pressure causes more nitrogen to dissolve in their body tissues. Upon ascent, if the diver ascends too quickly, the decrease in pressure can cause the nitrogen to form bubbles, leading to decompression sickness, commonly known as “the bends.”

By implementing a decompression stop during ascent, divers give their bodies the necessary time to eliminate the absorbed nitrogen safely. This process helps prevent the formation of bubbles and significantly reduces the risk of decompression sickness. Thus, the stop is a critical component of safe diving practices, particularly after deeper or longer dives where nitrogen levels in the body can be elevated.