What should divers do before ascending from a dive site?

Before ascending from a dive site, divers should indeed engage in multiple critical safety practices to ensure a safe return to the surface.

One essential action is to signal to the surface. This communication is important because it informs the dive team or surface support personnel that you are beginning your ascent. It ensures that everyone is aware of your intentions and can monitor your progress, making it easier to respond quickly in case of any issues.

Checking buoyancy is another vital preparatory step. Divers need to confirm that they have achieved neutral buoyancy or ensure they are properly controlled in their ascent. This helps to prevent rapid ascents that could lead to decompression sickness or other complications.

Performing a safety stop is a widely recognized practice to allow nitrogen that has been absorbed into the body during the dive to be released more safely. This stop usually occurs at about 15 feet (5 meters) for a few minutes and significantly reduces the risk of decompression sickness.

Thus, all of these actions—signaling to the surface, checking buoyancy, and performing a safety stop—are integral to safe diving practices, which is why selecting the option that includes all of them is the most appropriate choice. Each component contributes to an overall strategy aimed at maximizing safety during the ascent