Hand signals for tank pressure

[Walter]

I know this is the Y Scuba standard

It is not.

Personally, I use the "one handed" method of vertical fingers held apart for digits 1-5 and horizontal fingers held together for 6-9, and a circle of thumb and fingers for zero.

I hate that method. I use the ASL numbering signals, much easier, although I don't use the ASL "10" because it can get confused with the thumbs up signal for ending a dive. With ASL it's one signal from 0 - 21, after that it moves to a digit system and I signal 1 - 0 for 10 when diving.

I usually want to see the SPG instead of fingers, especially when folks start flipping their hands to the side. If more divers would learn to sign, communication would be so much easier.

 

[Cacia]

Uncle Rick, that is a pilot thing, yes? I don't understand it. I always think "well if he is a pilot, he doesn't need me "....but I do not know that lingo. I get it all the time, so I should learn it.

 

[countryboy]

... I can't tell you how many times a diver has given me a "thumbs up" when they really mean "OK" or "Good". It happens all the time, even after a briefing discussing what the "thumbs up" signal really means!
....

Of course, you can always give the question mark to ask them to clarify any communication..

You should know the comfort level of the people you are diving with. If there is a question as to what the communication means, ask?

If someone gives me the thumbs up am I going to start ascending..?? No, I will verify the intention first. (Respond with thumbs up) I just wanted to validate that the thumbs up does NOT mean "OK".. and we should not treat it as such.

With my usual buddy (wife) I know how much air she has... more than me!

 

[Rick Murchison]

http://www.advanceddivermagazine.com/FreePDFs/Onehandnumbering.pdf

Thanks for the reference. Our system is very slightly different in that we tend to hold the horizontal fingers together to eliminate any doubt in conditions where "which way's up?" may be in question. Also note that the 1-5 digits are with the palm toward the recipient, and the 6-9 are with the back of the hand toward the recipient.
Try it, you'll very quickly see that it's clear, concise and easy to understand and to do accurately.
One more hint is to not waste time with insignificant decimal places. With tank pressure, for instance, it is rarely necessary to signal anything any closer than the nearest 100 psi, so only the nearest hundred need be signalled - i.e. "2" "7" means 2700 psi. (If you're shaving it closer than that you're shaving it too close for me )
Rick

 

[do it easy]

What about us cold water divers who wear 7mm gloves with only thumb and index finger separate and the other 3 fingers together.

There is a technique that is more like the ASL system for counting 0-9. I think it is in the book Hand Signals for Divers. This book might have been revised/reprinted recently and there are a few that have similar titles. Sorry for the vague information, but I'm at work and not in my large dive library.

 

[Rick Murchison]

I hate that method. I use the ASL numbering signals, much easier

I hate that method. All that "missing finger" business just doesn't work with my arthritic hands
Rick

 

[Rick Murchison]

What about us cold water divers who wear 7mm gloves with only thumb and index finger separate and the other 3 fingers together.

You're in a world of hurt! Come south where it's warm
---
Seriously, I reckon that showing the gauge would be the method of choice with mitts.
Rick

 

[dvr4lyf]

Thanks for the post everyone- especially "uncle Rick" I agree this should be "standardized". I'll be using this from now on!!

 

[ScubaJW]

Since my buddy and I are deaf, we used our sign language uw. Signaling our PSI, simply use our signs to express numbers. Numbers are one-hand method for us.

Looking at scuba signs, looks confusing due to the fact, when you are not standing the same as your buddy, it can be misunderstood. Just wanted to let you know my opinion. If it is not confusing method to some of you guys, then go ahead use it.

 

[sasscuba]

NOT,... The thumbs up means only 1 thing... DIVE OVER!

The way Ricky explains is the easiest..

Vertical, 1 - 5
Horizontal, 6 - 9
Zero, closed fist


Many dive masters will ask your air w/in 10-15 mins from the start of the dive.. This gives them a good "feeling" as to how you are consuming your air..

The overall "best" way, is what you and your buddy decide...

I meant ok sign, sorry.