Are some signals just plain stupid?

[Z Gear]

There a couple of signals taught for OW cert that I found to be kind of weird. One is completely stupid the other is just strange.


The mask on top of head or forehead as a distress signal, really stupid.

The hand or fist on top of head, for all is good.

Do you think there is a better alternative to these signals.

Do like it the way it is?

Are there are any other signal that you feel are strange?


Frank G
Z GEAR - Z Gear

 

[tbone1004]

mask on top of head, that is not taught to put it there as a sign of distress, it should be taught NOT to put it on the top of your forehead because it is often a sign of a distressed diver. They'll get to the surface and slide the mask up on their forehead to breathe. If you calmly come to the surface there is no reason not to put it on the back of your head. The double advantage here is it is much less likely to be swept off of your head by a wave

fist on top of head is a signal back to surface support that you're OK. From a boat deck or dock if the glare is bad you can't see hand signals so you want to make a big OK sign to the mates to indicate that you're OK. The other reason for this is in cold water with gloves on the black neoprene makes it all but impossible to distinguish hand signals especially against a black exposure suit. Lobster claw gloves and mittens make it that much harder.

 

[CptTightPants21]

No, I don't have any problem for them.

You forget that many of these signs need to be clearly visible from a distance. It is kind of hard to tell someone has dilated pupils and is hyperventilating from a distance, the person could also just be paralyzed by fear and not outwardly yell for assistance and a boat or person on the shore would not be able to tell they needed help until it was too late. Mask on the head can be a strong sign of distress and discomfort--which is one of the reasons OW are taught to keep there masks on.

First on top of the head is another one that needs to be easily recognizable. You can't wave I'm good, because the difference between a wave and flaying for assistance isn't easily distinguishable from a distance.

 

[Z Gear]

No, I don't have any problem for them.

You forget that many of these signs need to be clearly visible from a distance. It is kind of hard to tell someone has dilated pupils and is hyperventilating from a distance, the person could also just be paralyzed by fear and not outwardly yell for assistance and a boat or person on the shore would not be able to tell they needed help until it was too late. Mask on the head can be a strong sign of distress and discomfort--which is one of the reasons OW are taught to keep there masks on.

First on top of the head is another one that needs to be easily recognizable. You can't wave I'm good, because the difference between a wave and flaying for assistance isn't easily distinguishable from a distance.

Yeah, I hear what you are saying but what good is a signal if most don't use at as one. You know that there are many including me that likes to flip their mask on top of their forehead. Being a very common practice makes me think that it easily confused and I guess I called it stupid.

As for the fist over the head I was just thinking this as kind of strange and perhaps someone might have a better idea for these signals.

Frank G
Z GEAR - Z Gear

 

[uncfnp]

PLEASE, lets not start the stupid MOF sign of a distressed diver argument again! How many distressed divers are actually going to have the presence of mind to carefully place the mask on the forehead! I am convinced this "rule" was made by bald divers with no hair to get tangled when placed around the neck.

And yes, if a diver as stupid enough to remove their mask in sporty seas, no surprise if they lose their mask.

 

[OldNSalty]

In all my time diving I have seen countless divers with their mask on their foreheads, I have yet to see anyone attempt a rescue of said divers. That should tell you how useful the “mask on forehead” signal is to the diving community.

 

[victorzamora]

So, quick point: Mask on Forehead is NOT a "signal." It's a SIGN. Drunk drivers swerving all over the road aren't doing it intentionally to SIGNAL that they're driving drunk. Their inability to maintain a straight line is a SIGN of their inebriation. A diver in panic often resorts to shedding gear, not out of will but out of panic. Putting the mask on the forehead is possibly interpreted as a SIGN that a diver is ditching gear, and therefore panicking. It's not a SIGNAL for the diver to indicate their state of panic. If they were in the frame of mind to do so, they wouldn't be panicking.

As for the "hand on head for okay".....it evolved from both hands over thea head in a giant "O" shape to signify "OK." Then they needed a one-handed method of signalling it, and the head-neck-shoulder-bicep-forearm-hand-head creates a nice, pretty "O" for that same signal. The "cool diver" fist-on-head is an evolution of that.

 

[OldNSalty]

To answer the question "Are some signals just stupid?" Yes.

You and your buddy decide which ones you need and use those.

 

[rhwestfall]

help me ?/!

 

[RJP]

the mask on top of head or forehead as a distress signal, really stupid.

STOP STOP STOP

You seem to bring this up all the time. Why?

MOF is not a SIGNAL... it is a potential SIGN. No one is taught that they should put their mask on their forehead to signal distress any more than people suffering from a heart attack are taught to "fall on the floor and turn blue" in order to signal for help.

You really need to get a dictionary out and look up the words SIGNAL and SIGN and see if you can understand the difference.

Seriously.

[/rant]