Hand Signals

[ChrisEdwards]

I'm hoping that someone can point me to a good thread or other source.

I'm looking for info on basic hand signals that can be used between buddies underwater. Something a bit more indepth that the half dozen or so that we learnt in OW Class.

Thanks

 

[scubasherry]

http://www.seasigns.com/

 

[SmileMon]

I think this is a must.

http://www.wetnotes.us/DOCS/Dive%20Training/Onehandnumbering.pdf

 

[Thalassamania]

We use binary. That gets us to 31 on one hand (five fingers up). The only confusion is between zero and STOP (both are a closed fist) and four vs. SCREW YOU (raised middle finger) so context is important.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

We use binary.

Ya, well we count using Hexadecimal in ASL....LOL :mooner:

Chris....cave manuals have a pile of hand signs....but in reality you'll use very few on your standard rec dive than you've probably not covered already. If you're trying to convey an entire paragraph, for whatever reason I wouldn't know, pull the wetnotes out.

The only thing I don't like about the 'usual' handsigns that are taught in recreational diving are that most of the time 'numbers' are given using two hands and/ot piles if '5's' flashing, where one hand signals are a better method. (See the cave manuals for a better explanation, or do a serach here, I posted it once.)

regards

 

[Ice9]

I think this is a must.

http://www.wetnotes.us/DOCS/Dive%20Training/Onehandnumbering.pdf

Agree. Dunno why this isn't standard teaching in all basic classes.

 

[Thalassamania]

Ya, well we count using Hexadecimal in ASL

I wasn't trying to be facetious (though maybe I should have been). We had big problems with numbers on several projects and one of the divers came up with the idea of using binary. It turned out to be rather easy (I’m no computer geek so I had my doubts) and caught on. Our small circle now uses it routinely with excellent results. With three finger mitts you can get to seven (which is better than three).

0 = fist
1 = pinky (so as to not thumb the dive)
2 = ring
3 = ring and pinky
4 = middle
5 = middle and pinky
6 = middle and ring
7 = middle and ring and pinky
8 = pointer
9 = pointer and pinky
10= pointer and ring
11= pointer and ring and pinky
12 = pointer and middle (peace sign)
etc.

Yes, 16 “thumbs the dive” but it doesn’t come up as often as 1. You start off having to count on your fingers to display or decipher the number, but rather quickly the fingers start meaning something on their own. I was surprised.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

I think this is a must.

http://www.wetnotes.us/DOCS/Dive%20Training/Onehandnumbering.pdf

I can't imagine this not being the most well known, and easiest numbering system whilst scuba diving in the world.

I never figured out why folks had to 'invent' another method, I guess just to call it their own.

This one was the one I was quoting earlier, Chris.

BTW, I can't count in Hex and I do not know ASL, I was kidding Thas

 

[Thalassamania]

I can't imagine this not being the most well known, and easiest numbering system whilst scuba diving in the world.

I never figured out why folks had to 'invent' another method, I guess just to call it their own.

This one was the one I was quoting earlier, Chris.

BTW, I can't count in Hex and I do not know ASL, I was kidding Thas

I suppose it was because we started doing that back in about 1975, long before Advanced Diver Magazine was ever thought of.<G>

We did have one guy with six fingers on one hand (no it wasn't Princess Bride), really. He thought it was great because he could go to 63 on one hand when the water was warm.

 

[TheRedHead]

9 = pointer and pinky

This is the same signal as "switch gas."

I prefer the one-hand method with the addition of fingers on the forearm to indicate thousands (as in pressure).