An apparatus for preventing or minimizing decompression illness in a scuba diver, consisting of a first safety bar, at least one first cable attached to the first safety bar, and an oxygen delivery system. The first cable supports the first safety bar at a predetermined depth. The oxygen delivery system consists of an oxygen tank, an oxygen delivery line, a manifold attached to the oxygen delivery line, and a plurality of regulators attached to the manifold. When the oxygen delivery system will be used by only one scuba diver, the oxygen delivery line can be connected directly to a single regulator without the manifold. The first cable and oxygen tank are attached to a float, which is either secured to a boat or platform via a tether line or anchored to the sea floor. In an alternative embodiment, the first cable is attached directly to a boat or platform, and an oxygen supply is provided on the boat or platform. In another alternative embodiment, the apparatus further includes a second safety bar connected to the first safety bar by at least one second cable, which supports the second safety bar at a predetermined depth below the depth of the first safety bar.