Do we need more hand signals?

[FPDocMatt]

Try and avoid the temptation to 'explain' things with hand signals. I found it almost always confuses the message. Rather give very short, universally understood (hopefully) signals.

As an example, I was diving with someone and had a very confusing set of hand signals exchanged. When back on the boat they told me they were trying to communicate the fact that they were tired from finning into the current, and were feeling anxious from over breathing, so they wanted to hang around behind a rock while they caught their breath.

Rather than five or six hand signals in very quick succession that meant nothing to me, simply showing a big, clear 'STOP' would have got a better result.

I guess it would be too burdensome for divers to have to learn a lot more hand signals, but I really think a few additional ones would be nice.

Or perhaps I should just learn to communicate what I want to communicate using the ones we have in a more intelligent fashion.

Recently while buddied with a DM, I wanted to suggest that we swim "over there" and have a look around. I pointed at my mask with two fingers, then pointed over there. She turned and looked over there. Of course, that's exactly what she should have done, because that's what I had signaled. I now know that if I had pointed at her and me, made the finning signal, then pointed over there, it would have made more sense.

But on occasion I've been in situations where I think we really need a new signal. For example, there should be one for "Awesome!"

I did buy a slate, perhaps I just need to use it.

 

[Maples]

I need a hand signal for "slow down"
Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Wookie]

One hand sign for awesome is two fingers raised then a 'C' made with the thumb and forefinger, or "Too Cool". There are myriads of hand signals out there which you will learn over time young grasshopper. We only teach the first 20 or so in OW class, enough for you to get through class. I'm betting you didn't crack your first chest on your own the day you graduated....

 

[Wookie]

I need a hand signal for "slow down"
Anyone have any ideas?

Hahahahaha


Oh, sorry, I thought you were making a funny. I hold my hand flat out and push down with my palm for slow down, not to be confused by hank out palm down rotating hand at wrist to indicate level off here.

 

[IanBrit]

I need a hand signal for "slow down"
Anyone have any ideas?

Easy, grab your buddy's fin (or BC strap, or octo etc) and don't let go. That generally slows people ;-)

 

[spectrum]

Divers can't learn or agree on what we have so attempting to formalize more is futile. Search for threads about simply signally cylinder pressure, there are dozens of versions.

In the end a little fore thought by the communicant and an alert recipient go a long way. Some stuff that has worked well on the fly for us includes.....

Slow Down. Both hands, palms down , gently waving down.

Awesome sighting, The OK sign made vigorously with each hand. Also the double thumbs up. In the right situation and body language I have not had thee confused with ascend now.

Tired: Palms together to form a pillow against a cheek and tip head like on a pillow.

Getting to dim or dark: cover mask with palms. If you don't like it also add the turn signal (upward index finger rotating).

Having some consistency with buddies you dive with goes along way as does pre-dive discussions when diving with someone new.

Try to break things down and avoid rapid fire messages as mentioned. For the weary diver in the OP for instance:
Start with the stop signal. Once stopped I might go to a rapid fining representation then motion a hand rapidly to and away from my mouth (fast breathing) Follow that right away with a readily undertook OK. When acknowledged maybe an upward index finger suggesting 1 (moment). Since the buddy is swimming in the same conditions he or she should catch on and adapt. If they are dense then motion 2 index fingers down here and wave palm down hands horizontally. I don't know how much of this you can find elsewhere but I find it important to string it out so your nitrogen impaired (at any depth) partner can digest the message.

If you have the luxury of a consistent buddy there are some intense languages you can consider such as Communications for Divers. It so happens I made an impromptu dive with the creator of C for D With a quick pre-dive chat we went on to have a straight forward 1:00 dive in limited visibility stopping, observing, turning all while test diving dry suits at a demo day. I have not studied C for D.

Another factor is bandwidth. Communication of a situation is another form of task load. As you become more instinctive in buoyancy etc. you mind will be more able to express and listen.

Pete

 

[FPDocMatt]

One hand sign for awesome is two fingers raised then a 'C' made with the thumb and forefinger, or "Too Cool". There are myriads of hand signals out there which you will learn over time young grasshopper. We only teach the first 20 or so in OW class, enough for you to get through class. I'm betting you didn't crack your first chest on your own the day you graduated....

Thank-you, Sensei.

As a family practice physician I might crack wise, but I never crack chests. My wife, however, being an emergency medicine physician, has done a few of those.

 

[gsk3]

There is a pamphlet called Cave Diving Communication or something like that which lists a bunch of relatively standard hand signals.

That said, if you want standardization you should consider GUE. I haven't had a communications problem underwater with another GUE (or UTD) trained diver, ever. And that includes dives on both coasts, visitors from abroad, etc.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I find that the best divers use less signals. They communicate by eye contact, they show each other their gauges at the proper time, they have already decided if there is going to be a leader, they assemble in a certain "formation" and they do not change relative position without making eye contact and ensuring that the buddy sees that change.

I personally do a lot of screaming, a yell means to "look!" it may mean a shark is coming in hard or it might mean I want you to look at me so I can point off to the right indicating that I want to change direction, it might mean that i want to point out something cool to see. Audible signals for getting attention can be much more time efficient, than physical touch, because you don't have to waste time swimming over to a buddy. I also tend to laugh very loud and bust balls when a buddy misses a lobster or a shot with a speargun.

Personally, I try to keep communication with hand signals to a minimum. Most divers that are DOING something, other than sight seeing have their hands occupied. For me, I am often carrying in my hands, a reel attached to a hook and a floatline, a speargun, a pole spear and a lobster net. I really have little interest in trying to send or respond to a lot of hand signals.

The best communication is very frequent glances over and making eye contact, every 15-30 seconds, however this is entirely impossible at night or in really dark water.

I really hate when people tell me they are cold. What the hell does that mean? What am I supposed to do about it, piss on you??

Seriously, why make extraneous communications? If you want to turn around and go back signal me, if you want to abort the dive (because you are cold - or otherwise) give me the thumbs up, if you think I am a clown underwater, laugh real loud, if you want to lead, signal me, if you want me to stay stay closer to you signal me, if you see a big shark..scream and give me the shark signal, if you want me to go to the other side of the rock and catch the lobster that you are tickling then point to where you want me and pantomine a "catch"..... but we don't need a million hand signals for most recreational diving. Less is better.

 

[ferris213]

For the weary diver in the OP for instance:
Start with the stop signal. Once stopped I might go to a rapid fining representation then motion a hand rapidly to and away from my mouth (fast breathing) Follow that right away with a readily undertook OK. When acknowledged maybe an upward index finger suggesting 1 (moment). Since the buddy is swimming in the same conditions he or she should catch on and adapt. If they are dense then motion 2 index fingers down here and wave palm down hands horizontally.

Pete

This is kind of what I meant in the post of mine that was quoted in the OP. Unless you have discussed the whole range of hand signals beforehand, isn't it just going to complicate things? Is it important for you as a buddy to know anything other than 'stop' in this case? Give them an 'ok' question and wait and see if they need further assistance?

Matt: I also use the double hand 'ok' signal to acknowledge something cool. I have also see people give the 'hang loose' sign.

In your case, when you wanted to go check something out, I just would have signalled the desired direction of travel. (arm outstretched, hand pointing) If your buddy didn't want to follow, they could give you the finger wagging 'no'

From my personal experience, overly complex signals, often given too quickly, leads to confusion. And once someone is confused, it's very difficult to clear it up. (without resorting to a slate)