Do we need more hand signals?

[lowviz]

I was serious about the cold comment...So you are cold... What am I supposed to do?...//...

-two balled fists rotating in front of your mask. (crybaby) Wait for return sign: either a thumb or finger, respond appropriately.

 

[Hatul]

Yes, complex and multiple hand signals just leads to miscommunication which can be risky. Better to use a dive slate and write a few clear words, a bit like telegrams in the old days. I use an Aquasketch:

AquaSketch Minno Wrist Slate

 

[spectrum]

-two balled fists rotating in front of your mask. (crybaby) Wait for return sign: either a thumb or finger, respond appropriately.

Off handedly you made a very good point. Essential to communication is acknowledgement. I make a pre-dive mention that if I did not acknowledge then I didn't see. Some divers make signals out of view and thing they have communicated. I may repeat it back (like pressure), give an OK or an answer to a question.

Pete

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Underwater communication Problems...


[video=youtube_share;UCDups3VX7w]http://youtu.be/UCDups3VX7w[/video]

 

[TMHeimer]

I agree with spectrum, Doppler & Jim Lap. I don't signal much. If I'm with a buddy he/she knows I'm just looking for shells. Interesting question though: How often does your (assigned) buddy suggest reviewing the basic signals? Probably about as often as he suggests you do a pre-dive safety check.

 

[emoreira]

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

I think you are referring to this.

 

[ed.hamilton1]

There is a website dedicated to hand signals while diving from which you can purchase a book or test your knowledge for free Scubasigns the guide to all scuba diving hand signals

One of my staff instructors told me a great story about going diving with a deaf couple, they had no trouble communicating underwater and in fact were chatting away so often it started to disrupt the course in the hand he made them wear socks over their hands just to keep them focused on him!

 

[victorzamora]

I agree with the OP. We need more hand signals, but I agree with the theme of rest of the thread: too many are more of a hinderance than a help. Now, let me say that one of my biggest problems with PADI (and most dive organizations) is they're too lax about everything. "It's too much to remember" is the worst response you can hear. I'm not saying Scuba is the hardest or most dangerous hobby in the world, but it IS dangerous. Now, I am ONLY PADI certified, so I have no idea what other agencies do, but I know a lot of them are very similar to PADI.

We're not going to change the world by requesting a few other hand signals...but I AM going over extra hand signals with my fiancee and main dive buddy. In fact, before our second dive after her cert dives we had our own signal. It was the signal for "pretty colors!!" and it was eight fingers up, wiggling them. My cool/awesome is the hang loose symbol, thumb and pinky out and shaking it a little bit. Slow down is palm down, "patting," like a calm down sign. Every time I want to point something out specifically to her, or we have a specific task in mind, we clarify signals before hand. For SPG readouts, we settled before all of our diving on the DIR convention of two fingers on the palm asks for your SPG reading...counting on the arm is thousands, counting on the air is hundreds.

I'm reading as many manuals as I can to get more hand signals, and I discuss them with my fiancee weekly. I quiz her on them constantly, and she does the same thing to me. We're not even that huge into diving and it's always in our heads. THAT is the only way to keep everything fresh. Constant practice makes proficient.

 

[cmulvaney]

This is the International "I'm Peeing Stay Away!!!"
(Unless you're into that sort of thing)

There are three kinds of divers. There is ... One that pees in their wetsuit, One that lies about peeing in their wetsuit, and the One that gets close to you while you're peeing!!!

If the water around you gets noticeably warmer, swim away from the nearest diver immediately!!!

 

[RTee]

I think there are enough signs already. As others have mentionned, if you want to say more get a slate or wetnotes keeping in mind that most people scuba dive for pleasure and relaxation. Therefore they do not need to know about all the things you might be seeing or thinking about underwater...for that there is Facebook.