Different systems for PSI remaining ?

[ScubaSarus]

Diving with a new buddy we were at 30 ft and decided to communicate our PSI left. He showed me 1 finger then 5 fingers or visa versa for 1600 and I showed him 5 fingers 3 times for 1500. I took him as having only 600 and gave the thumbs up. On the surface he explained he had learned a different system than I did.

Well I am really surprised there are 2 different systems and will make an effort next time to confirm hand signals with new divers I dive with (I usually do as its part of good buddying to begin with; but I’m a bit humbled by this as the dive was simple and I assumed all PSI remaining communications were universal).

Does anyone have a good link where I can print out a copy of the hand signals so I can take them along with me on trips and go over these with my buddies.

Thanks

 

[MarkUK]

As you said, the best thing to do is sort out common signals before you dive, or at least know what signals your buddy will be using.

I use a third variant - Half a tank (100bar) is one hand held straight up, the other straight across the top, forming a 'T', so when I am signalling 140bar, for instance, I would do the 'T', then hold up four fingers.

Equally, if I had 70bar, I would hold up a clenched fist (50bar or reserve) and then two fingers.

Mark

 

[charlesml3]

Here's an even easier one:

Anything above 1000 pounds is the standard "OK" sign.

Anything below 1000 pounds is one finger per 100 pounds of air remaining.

-Charles

 

[The Kraken]

I like to use two numbers.

The first indicates the pressure in 1000's of pounds, ie, 2 fingers represents 2000 psi.
The second number indicates the pressure in 100's of pounds, ie, 4 fingers represents 400 psi.

If the pressure is under 1000 psi, then a 0 is indicated and then the remaining hundreds of psi.

If a number is greater than 5, then on the second number all five fingers are displayed and then then next fingers held up represent the amount to be added to five to indicate the pressure.

For example if the diver has only 800 psi remaining, the he will show zero followed by 5 fingers then 3.

the K

 

[fweber]

Advanced Diver Magazine has a good one pager somewhere on their site about single handed numbering. But, basically it's just 1-5 fingers vertically for numerals 1-5 and 1-4 fingers horizontally for numerals 6-9. The only system I've ever used is the idividual numbers like your buddy. 1-5-0-0.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

There are many ways of communicating pressure when you include the ones individual buddy's make up on their own. I let my students use any method they and their buddy prefer but they MUST talk about it with their buddy and make sure both understand the system. I tell them to treat me like I'm stupid and slowly show me (5,5,5,5,3) for 2300psi, etc when I ask them what their pressure is. They are responsible for knowing their buddy's air pressure within 250 psi from day 1 (whenever we ask for it we check the buddy's gauge to verify) and for telling me when either of them gets down to 1000psi.

My husband and I have our own system, one will flash their pressure either using the 5's or single finger signals and the other usually points to their chest then gives "2" to say "me too". We always seem to know which system we're using even though it changes back and forth during the dive. Any time I'm with an instabuddy if the pressure isn't close to mine I look at their gauge to dissolve any misunderstandings.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[DeepSeaExplorer]

Advanced Diver Magazine has a good one pager somewhere on their site about single handed numbering. But, basically it's just 1-5 fingers vertically for numerals 1-5 and 1-4 fingers horizontally for numerals 6-9. The only system I've ever used is the idividual numbers like your buddy. 1-5-0-0.

Creating your own method can cause confusion. If you want to be able to communicate clearly with everyone, even those you may not dive with regularly, or those you may not have had a chance to brief on the surface, you should use a standard like the one used for cave diving, which fweber mentioned above. Signal each digit (1-5-0-0) by using vertical fingers as 1-5 and horizontal fingers as 6-10.

Also, if you decide to advance into cave or technical dive, you won't have to relearn a new method.

 

[ClayJar]

Does anyone have a good link where I can print out a copy of the hand signals so I can take them along with me on trips and go over these with my buddies.

Ask and you shall receive... :biggrin:

one-handed numbering (pdf)

 

[hollywood703]

I also use the same system as above....except i dont use the 0's everything is done in hundreds of lbs.....so whether it be 33....hundred or 5 hundred.....I will however give the ok sign over a 1500psi. below that I will give #'s. I do communicate this with my buddy before we go in so that there isnt the confusion.

 

[Charlie99]

There are several different systems. The important thing is to have agreed upon this before the dive. The automatic search function at the bottom of the page lists a thread that goes through the many, many different types of systems used.

How Do You Signal Air Remaining?