Hand Signals

[boat sju]

I'm just getting back into diving after an extensive layoff. In reading these forums I'm getting the impression that along with everything else hand signals have evolved somewhat in the last 10 years. Anyone know of a web site that demonstrates common hand signals?

 

[Walter]

Hand signals have not changed in the over 20 years I've been diving. There are regional/local preferences and some folks incorporate ASL, but there's been no universal changes.

 

[PerroneFord]

The cave guys have raised this to an artform. Pick up a copy of the hand signal books from NSSCDS or NACD. Really comprehensive and highly effective.

 

[knotical]

http://www.wrstc.com/downloads/CommonHandSignalsforScubaDiving.pdf

 

[Mo2vation]

The most impostant thing you can do is be sure you and your dive buddy (and extended team) are on the same page. Go over the majors (like numbers!) and some of the basics before the dive.

IN addition to the traditional and widely used signs, my principal buddy and I have all kinds of signs and signals that nobody else uses... Like our own code. But some are leaking out locally!

And have your wetnotes as a back up. If you're stumped, write it down. When in doubt, whip 'em out.

---
Ken

 

[boat sju]

Thanks guys. That link that knotical posted showed me that I'm not that out of touch after all. I just saw some thread dicussions that alluded to what seemed to be a complete conversation taking place under water and thought maybe more commonly accepted signals had come into being. Plus I got the impression that a finger across your wrist is universal for thousands, a number indicated palm up and out is 100 through 500, and a backhand across your stomach indicates 600 through 900. I didn't remember using one handed numbers back in the day.