Are some signals just plain stupid?

[kevindsingleton]

Full arm waving from water level to above the head is used for numerous reasons while sitting on top of the water? What would some of those be?

it's probably for the same reasons indicated by the wearing of MOF on shore, or on the boat, or in the restaurant, or wherever people are doing that sort of thing, these days. ("Sitting on top of the water"? That may be an indication that one is becoming a deity, with, or without, any arm waving.)

 

[packrat12]

Full arm waving from water level to above the head is used for numerous reasons while sitting on top of the water? What would some of those be?

Gotta go real badly but do not want to pee in the wetsuit... No one does right?

 

[kevindsingleton]

You should read more closely. He is disagreeing with you.

Actually, I'm disagreeing with him. If he was disagreeing with me, one of us would be wearing our MOF. I can't keep up with which it should be.

 

[bryanmc57]

Distress or not?

 

[wspalding]

Well you shouldn't hate yourself when saying the truth. I can appreciate this post because I feel at least you have been using a different type of distress signal
and it worked for you. This is the example I was trying to make and suggest.

I will say this, although I do understand what RJP is trying to say about the "sign" of someone experiencing some type distress when having MOF. It still should be noted that it is only "a" possible indicator and not the only indicator.

Furthermore and more importantly establishing an official distress "signal" still needs to be established. You just mentioned a signal that I was referring to. This is just the kind of example I was looking for.

Thanks.
Frank G
Z GEAR - Z Gear

A couple things; no one is suggesting that putting the mask on the forehead be used as a sign of distress, and if your OW instructor stated that, it was a mistake or a misunderstanding. There will never be an "official" sign of distress. A distressed diver is not thinking in terms of what they are going to do to let someone know they are in distress, they are going to do whatever it is they are going to do, and it is unpredictable. However, observations of distressed divers have noted several potential signs of distress, with MOF being one potential sign. My OW class taught me it was just a really bad idea to put my mask on my forehead because it is a good way to lose it. The hand on head "OK" signal is pretty universal and useful with drift diving where divers are surfacing in multiple locations and the captain has to decide who needs to be picked up first. Divers that cannot or do not signal they are ok are going to be given priority for being picked up (rescued), and I would imagine a diver with MOF is going to be observed for other signs of distress.

 

[NAM001]

tank valve is in the way...

Thinking back on this thread, has anyone mentioned having the mask turned around, the strap on your forehead and the lenses on back of your head? That is what I do most time.

---------- Post added October 9th, 2015 at 03:43 PM ----------

I liked the pic someone posted with the diver with the MOF one end at the lower jaw asd the other side above the ear. Clearly not a deliberate action. If i see any other than normal position of the mask. I look again for other , more detailed signs of a problem. If none i just blow it off. Especially if you wave hello and they wave back. MOF and mask on chin or some variation in between is the same symptom. It is most likely done to get rid of the fog or is a clostrophobic issue with many on the surface. As with many things in life,,,,a little knowledge is dangerous like the hard core MOF thing. Docs sungalsses post is a prime example of how people will react or want to react. Someone with MOF on their back calmly paddling to shore is not the makings to sound the alarm.

 

[Z Gear]

Distress or not?

How did we get from the distress sign/signal to snotcicles, peeing in your wet suit, and this bunny with a pancake hat?

I think its safe to say the thread is showing signs of distress!!!

Frank G
Z GEAR - Z Gear Dive Mounts

 

[Seymour Fisch]

Here's another stupid signal/sign:

I heard that posting on internet forums on a Friday night is supposed to be a sign of a lonely person with poor social skills. How stupid is that?! First of all, if someone has such poor social skills, how would they know to signal that by posting on a Friday night? And if they are so lonely, who would teach them this sign in the first place?

Plus, I know lots of cool, well-adjusted people who post to internet forums on Friday nights. In fact, I'm even doing it right now. Because... because... because, umm, I just didn't feel like going out tonight. That's all it indicates. I'm not trying to signal you all that I have no social skills or anything.

(Edit: Only after I posted did I realize Frank was posting on a Friday night just before me. We were probably posting at the same time. I was just intending to poke fun at myself (and the sign/signal confusion), but the timing makes it look like I might have been picking on Frank. Sorry, Frank, that's not what I intended! )

 

[FinnMom]

Posting in an Internet forum on Friday night, meaning you are home, is likely a sign that you have a worthwhile life.
* Employed, possibly even white-collar because Friday night has that special significance
* You can be on the Internet now, which means you got the kids to bed. Congratulations, that's always a worthwhile victory.
* Taking it easy because tomorrow AM you have places to be and things to do. Hugely more wothwhile to be out on the water early Sat AM than still out on the town early Sat AM.

 

[Searcaigh]

Friday night online for me means I got back alive from my normal Friday dive trip alive!

The most dangerous part of my diving profile is driving back from the UAE east coast and sharing a road with the loonies who drive on these roads who have no respect to other road users.

With regards to the rabbit and the pancake hat, are you not supposed to cook the rabbit first and have it with pancakes a bit like Peking Duck?