What does this hand signal mean?

[Charlie99]

In metric regions that sign often means 100 bar gas left.

I've seen it more often used to mean 1/2 tank.

100 bar in the popular AL80 tank is pretty close to 1/2 tank, which is probably how the sign acquired that alternate interpretation.

 

[pir8]

More times than not its 1/2 tank or lets turn the dive back towards our entry/boat. I've also seen someone ask whats the temp.

 

[BKP]

Time
Stop for 3 Minutes
Time out (sometimes used to denote 100 Bar)​

Apparently, it has a number of meanings, depending on whether you're using a few fingers, or the context in which you're using it.

 

[Druid]

I've seen it more often used to mean 1/2 tank.

100 bar in the popular AL80 tank is pretty close to 1/2 tank, which is probably how the sign acquired that alternate interpretation.

I use it to mean 100 bar. It's a bit less than 1/2 tank as we normally use 232 bar steel cylinders.

The signal looks like a capital T, we were told it meant "ton" which is slang for 100 mph, hence 100 bar.

 

[diver 85]

Half a tank sign @ Aldora's on Cozumel.......

 

[diver 85]

I use the "T" signal as a Safety Stop signal as well. Was your buddy using 3 fingers to form the base of the "T"? That's how the wife and I communicate how long we have left on our safety stop. 3 fingers we're just starting, 2 fingers two minutes left, 1 finger may have more than one meaning depending on the finger...

But like Teamcasa syas, make sure to review those before the dive.

Have fun!

Some use a little pinky up for deco or safety stop........*

 

[ianr33]

More times than not its 1/2 tank or lets turn the dive back towards our entry/boat. I've also seen someone ask whats the temp.

The "T" sign means half a tank to me. Turn is an upward pointing index finger moving in a circular motion. (as opposed to a thumb which means Up/Out. NOW! )

Some use a little pinky up for deco or safety stop........*

Thats a pretty standard sign for deco with everybody I have dived with.

As already stated,easier to go over this before the dive.

 

[spectrum]

I just ran into it last week and took it as "Turn the Dive" since the timing seemed about right. I asked my buddy afterwards and she explained it meant 1/2 tank. Fortunately for this dive 1/2 tank was a good turning point.

For turning the dive we use the right index finger pointing up and rotating, like turning around. We will sometime point to the pressure gauge or make the "cold" hug but a turn is a turn and we start heading back. If a diver wants to turn with more than 1/2 a tank so be it.

I think I learn something new each time I dive with a new buddy.

Pete

 

[japan-diver]

In Japan that is usually time - or tours over time to move to a safety stop. Many of our divers from elsewhere use it to indicate 1/2 tank. I also have my students use it if they want to stop a drill or feel that they are not up to doing a particular skill - time out!! (They will have to repeat the skill later to graduate but no sense forcing them to do something before they feel ready)

 

[Walter]

Agree on signals before the dive.