PADI Divemaster Certification Practice Exam

At what depth is a mandatory safety stop required?

1. 10 feet/3 meters

2. 15 feet/5 meters

3. 20 feet/6 meters

4. 30 feet/9 meters

The correct answer is: 15 feet/5 meters

A mandatory safety stop is typically required at a depth of 15 feet (5 meters) during recreational diving, especially when ascending from depths greater than 60 feet (18 meters). This practice is an important safety measure to help minimize the risk of decompression sickness, commonly referred to as "the bends." The safety stop allows divers to off-gas nitrogen that has been absorbed by their bodies at greater depths. While divers can perform safety stops at various depths—many choose to do so at 10 feet (3 meters) or even shallower for longer ascents—the 15 feet marker is often emphasized in training as a standard depth for these stops. This depth strikes a balance by providing adequate time for off-gassing while remaining safely above the 20-foot mark, where pressure changes are more significant. In contrast, some other depths listed may not be considered mandatory for all divers or are more common in advanced diving courses and specific conditions, rather than representing a universally applicable practice for recreational diving.