Hand Signal: Turn the Dive

[InWay2Deep]

Curious how everyone was taught to turn the dive and do a normal, non-emergency exit out of the cave, example, you have reached your turn pressure and it's time to make your way out the same way you entered and cleanup on the way out.

I have recently learned that there are some people being taught different ways which could be interpreted by others wrongly. Regardless I will now include the preferred hand signal in my pre-brief with all new people I cave dive with.

 

[inquis]

I use the thumb for normal/casual exit. If doing several passages (e.g., spoke pattern), I'd use a circle to end the current spoke. If a hasty exit is needed, follow the thumb with an emphatic arm pointing motion as in "get the hell out NOW".

 

[rjack321]

Curious how everyone was taught to turn the dive and do a normal, non-emergency exit out of the cave, example, you have reached your turn pressure and it's time to make your way out (a) the same way you entered (b) and cleanup on the way out.

I have recently learned that there are some people being taught different ways which could be interpreted by others wrongly. Regardless I will now include the preferred hand signal in my pre-brief with all new people I cave dive with.

a and b are the clutch phrases, but I am guessing you don't understand the magnitude of them.

Regarding a You can turn around (at turn pressure even) and go back closer to the entrance, recalculate gas, and go down another passage with some of the remaining. If you want to reserve the option to make a detour on the way back you simply "turn around" which is the finger twirling in the air. So choice 3

Regarding b if you are going to a new exit on a traverse its thumb up and finger pointing ahead at the new exit. Choice 2

If you are turning around and committing to exit it's the thumb. Choice 1

They each have different utility depending on the decision at hand. Prosser and Grey's "Cave Diving Communication" published by the NSS explains them all.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

I use the index finger pointed up and a circle........followed by a simulation of drinking an ice cold bottle of beer.

 

[Underwater Tourist]

Thumb up = end the dive and going out without detours
Circling = reached turn pressure and need to turn around heading towards the exist, but exploring side passages on the way out (i.e. the dive isnt over)

 

[T.K.]

Thumb up for normal, non-emergency exit.

 

[tursiops]

Thumb up for normal, non-emergency exit.

And what is your signal for an emergency exit?

 

[T.K.]

And what is your signal for an emergency exit?

Thumb followed by forceful arm pointing. Generally will also communicate the reason for the emergency exit if not evident.

What signals do you use?

 

[tursiops]

Thumb followed by forceful arm pointing. Generally will also communicate the reason for the emergency exit if not evident.

What signals do you use?

We reserve the thumb for Surface/Exit Now. Otherwise, some variant of "turn the Dive" with the twirly finger. Sometimes a sentence can be helpful: Turn the Dive; Swim; Look Around; Maybe Exit, done with Twirly Finger; Wiggly Fingers Like Flutter Kick; Point at Eyes and Look Around; Shake horizontal hand back and forth for Maybe; then a Thumb.

 

[PfcAJ]

And what is your signal for an emergency exit?

The presence of an emergency makes it an emergency exit.