What is one reason divers should perform a safety stop at the end of a deep dive?

Performing a safety stop at the end of a deep dive primarily serves the important physiological purpose of allowing for off-gassing of nitrogen. As divers descend to greater depths, they breathe in air that contains nitrogen, which dissolves into their bloodstream under increased pressure. When ascending, this nitrogen needs to be gradually removed from the body to prevent decompression sickness, often known as "the bends." A safety stop, typically performed at a depth of around 15 to 20 feet for a few minutes, allows excess nitrogen to leave the body safely, minimizing the risk of bubbles forming in the tissues or bloodstream.

While checking for air leaks, taking underwater photos, or attempting to neutralize buoyancy might be practical considerations during a dive, they do not address the critical objective of ensuring diver safety related to nitrogen absorption and release. Therefore, the practice of incorporating a safety stop primarily targets the safe management of nitrogen levels in the body, which is essential for the health and safety of the diver following a deep dive.