American Sign Language

[don Francisco]

Half the reason some of us dive is to avoid the inescapable constant chatter that passes for communication these days. The beauty of the cumbersome slate is that it's a pain and forces us to decide if what we have to say is slateworthy.

For diving purposes how could ASL improve on the existing signage which is clear, simple, concise, on point and not prone to mis-interpretation.

If you have important dive information to communicate flash a few signs. If you want a conversation go to a bar.

 

[Pearldiver07]

I wonder if PADI charges for that course?


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I'd like to clear up an incorrect answer to this, or maybe a mis-stated answer.

Beyond the processing fee for the certification card, PADI doesn't charge for any class at the recreational level. The instructor or LDS charges for it. The processing fee from PADI is minimal. At most they charge less than $20 in any event (volume discounts may apply).

PADI charges the dive shop or instructor (depending on how you look at it) by selling them the certification documentation, either paper or electronic. The instructor or dive shop then charges the student whatever they feel they can (free market operations and all that) for the course. Whatever the difference is, that's for the shop/instructor to keep.

So the rest of the course payment never is seen by PADI.

I've seen a lot of posts over the time on SB about this so I thought I'd clear that up.

 

[Thadmn]

Half the reason some of us dive is to avoid the inescapable constant chatter that passes for communication these days. The beauty of the cumbersome slate is that it's a pain and forces us to decide if what we have to say is slateworthy.

For diving purposes how could ASL improve on the existing signage which is clear, simple, concise, on point and not prone to mis-interpretation.

If you have important dive information to communicate flash a few signs. If you want a conversation go to a bar.

Why the anger? If it's not for you, then don't do it!

 

[ClayJar]

As far as ASL goes, the problem I run into is the very same problem I had with the Radio Shack "walkie-talkies" I got for my ninth (or so...th :biggrin birthday: you need at least two people to learn it. I have a few buddies with whom I dive more often than with others, but I don't dive exclusively with them, and they have little incentive to do homework for what little gain they can perceive. Learning any method of communication (spoken, signed, or signaled) without having someone with whom to practice is not well within my abilities.

Frankly, I'd really like a buddy to learn code. With the low visibility we often suffer (and enjoy :biggrin, being about to communicate by "do-do-do"-ing a little "Tom's Diner"-esque bit of Morse through your regulator would be entertaining and convenient. (Plus, it needn't carry far. It's not like we'd have to quack it to each other -- heaven forbid!)

What better way to communicate underwater than by dooting it out through your regulator? You can have both hands occupied while facing opposite directions and still communicate with impunity. (No need to lose communication just because you're back to back and being surrounded by a ravenous herd of less-than-happy man-eating sharks, eh? :biggrin


Hehe, anyway... "normal" signals, ASL, code, slates, etc. can all be used to communicate. Choose from among them as you wish (and as your buddies wish). Personally, the "slate-a-tron" concept (i.e. bunch of words, letters, and numbers pre-written, like a fancy McDonald's register) is something I may have to consider. With a bit more thought to the efficiency of the layout, it can probably be made into a rather useful communications tool -- it can signal things outside your vocabulary, just like finger-spelling, but it requires no prior knowledge on the part of your buddy.

 

[devinesigns]

Wow I'm shocked to see how many people are knocking the use of ASL underwater. I'm an ASL-English interpreter and my knowledge of ASL has greatly enhanced my enjoyment underwater. I refuse to carry a slate because for me, it's totally useless. Anything I want to say can be said more quickly with my hands, and in great detail.

It does help that I already knew the language and my dive buddy is always my husband, who has been keen to learn as much ASL as possible. We were able to communicate so much more precisely and quickly underwater by knowing a visual language versus just some signals. There are certain concepts for which no signal exists, but those concepts can always be communicated in ASL- and MUCH FASTER than on a slate. I want to spend my time enjoying the dive- not waiting on my buddy to finish writing on a slate. Plus it's less equipment to carry and who doesn't want to streamline themselves?

So I encourage people if they're interested, to try learning to sign. Sure it's not necessary, but it can make your dives that much more enjoyable. I didn't see my husband get bit by a Damselfish in the Great Barrier Reef, since he was behind me. But when he signed what happened I got a good laugh. Something about that moment would have been lost on a slate.

 

[Dtaine]

I could see ASL being useful for some, although personally I wouldn't want to use it underwater as I'm not diving for the purpose of holding a conversation.

The most important thing is that buddies and teams agree on signs before going underwater - this way everything is clear when someone has a problem or needs to point out something on the dive.

 

[crd_kats]

I will take a basic ASL course for the purpose of UW communication. Nothing is more frustrating than signaling to my buddy and seeing the blank look on his face. I know men are from Mars and women are from Venus, but this is ridiculous! I asked if he was interested in taking the class. He adamantly opposed, but for some reason has recently changed his mind. Must have been my eye rolling and frowns.

 

[Diver0001]

I've built up quite a vocabulary of signs that I use with my buddy. Many of them we invented ourselves because we try to think of signs that only need one hand but I always look at the ASL online dictionary first and then work from there when I'm thinking of something new.

Just learning ASL isn't the right approach, I think because far too many of the signs require moving both hands, which makes it pretty useless for night diving. In my opinion if you can't use a sign both day and night (ie... one handed) then it's not a good sign.

Nevertheless the ASL online dictionary (there are many) is a good resource and I'm acutally a little surprised to see people on this thread putting up resistance to learning new signs.

I've looked at the sea signs stuff. It's pretty good but I don't know how much use it would be where I live .... Around here learning how to say "look at the pretty blue fish with yellow spots" is a waste of time.

R..

 

[vtxkev]

After reading this thread it appears that some love it and some hate it just like every other thing in this world. I am however suprised by how opposed and vocal some people are about it. If it's not your cup of tea then dont pay for it, dont learn it and make sure your dive buddy knows not to use it. There may be some people who want to dive and have an underwater conversation all while looking at the pretty coral or fish, and who are we to take that away from them? People need to lighten up and let others do as they please.

 

[Walter]

Just learning ASL isn't the right approach, I think because far too many of the signs require moving both hands, which makes it pretty useless for night diving. In my opinion if you can't use a sign both day and night (ie... one handed) then it's not a good sign.

That merely demonstrates you have a limited understanding of ASL. ASL is a beautifully expressive language that involves the entire body, including facial expressions. It is also possible to communicate with ASL using only one hand. Someone who knows ASL will see the other hand you aren't using. It's common for people to talk when one hand is doing something else, even deaf people. Give ASL a try, you'll find it's not as limited as you believe.