What should be done if a diver has a delay leaving the 20' stop?

In the scenario where a diver experiences a delay leaving the 20-foot stop, the most appropriate action is to resume normal decompression without making adjustments for the delay. This is built on the understanding that minor delays in decompression stops are generally acceptable within established guidelines.

During decompression, the primary concern is to manage inert gas loading and off-gassing effectively while minimizing the risk of decompression sickness. As divers ascend through designated stops, their bodies undergo physiological changes; minor deviations, like a delay at a stop, typically do not pose a significant risk as long as they do not exceed safe limits.

Choosing to ignore the delay and continue with the established decompression procedures allows the diver to complete the ascent as planned. However, it's crucial that any delays are monitored, and divers should remain aware of their ascent rates and times at each stop to ensure safety.

The other options involve actions that may not be necessary or could potentially introduce additional risks. Adding time to the next stop could lead to an undue extension of the dive profile, while descending back to a previous depth or aborting the dive can create complications and increase the likelihood of further issues like stress or gas narcosis. Therefore, the best practice in this situation is to proceed with the dive