Help me understand underwater communication

[ivobj]

I will definetly be repetitive, but no fancy technology can substitute hand and light signals, these are reliable and does not depend on any mechanism that can fail... basic rule, keep it simple, do not add failure points.

Squishy gave a good idea though, a way for the boat to pinpoint divers in the water would be interesting, if it does not work it won't pose any danger to the diver's safety, and can be handy in case the boat needs to find a diver, or he drift away (of course, that does not mean the SMB is optional, it should be used anyway)

 

[Doc Harry]

A wet phone without the need for a full face mask would greatly enhanced diving safety

 

[Design Student]

Tanks a lot Mike for your feedback...

I was thinking more on what you are proposing, some kind of device that once you are under water you can record everything you see, or write down notes, and even write on top of pictures that you ttook for reference for yourself and for the team, maybe.

Perhaps it has everything included from notes, to messages, to pictures, GPS, etc...

I'm trying to understand how limited is communicating underwater and how do you take record of what's under, how do you remember everything, and if you do something, what do you do?

Thanks again

Design Student

 

[Design Student]

Thanks ivobj,

I'm trying to develop a project that enhances communicating, it's an added tool, I'm not proposing to change the way underwater signals are, because they work really well, and above all to risk any of the divers safety...

What I'm trying to ideate is a communication/data input tool, something that you take with you for your personal or professional record. Maybe it's electronic and you can download the info into your computer and have a more accurate record of the immersion.

What do you currently use that helps you, and if you could create something how would it work, where would you put it, and how would you use it?

Thanks,

Design Student

 

[MMM]

I have the Uwatec Galileo computer which allows entry of certain messages. It does take me a while to pull them up underwater however. They relate to sightings of underwater life that we don;t have a pre-agreed to sigmal. Slates can address provided you have; I've asked to borrow someone's in order to do so. Insructions are the other thing. We can signal but depending on divers' ability or complexity, a slate is sometimes required.

 

[Walter]

I'm trying to understand how limited is communicating underwater and how do you take record of what's under, how do you remember everything, and if you do something, what do you do?

It might have been helpful to put that in your first post.

Communication is as limited as the training of the buddies. Slates are useful, but they are extremely slow. ASL is fast and you can actually communicate more than with a slate, but few can sign. Standard diving hand signals are very limited, but are very useful within their limitations. One thing I wish more people understood is you can talk while you're diving. Understanding is a little harder, but comes with practice.

Unless you come up with a device that has voice recognition software that can understand a diver talking through his regulator, I doubt you'll be able to develop anything that's all that big of an improvement over the slate.

 

[Rick Inman]

Communication. The best form of it on the surface is two people talking to each other. And yet, I've been married 29 years, and I can say something directly to my wife and when she says it back to me, it's not exactly what I meant. So underwater...??

My wife says that for us to communicate better, I need to really listen to what she's saying. I see divers underwater who struggle to really focus on what is being communicated. Underwater communication isn't about equipment, it's about focus, and paying attention. If you can't get it done with hand signals and wet notes, there may be bigger issues involved.

I have a buddy I dive with so much that I can almost read his mind, and pretty much know what he is signaling me before he even starts, and visa-versa. On the other hand, there are times when he has written me clear concise notes in his wet notes and I still can't figure out what in the world he wants me to do.

Look at our politicians and you'll conclude that good communication is not going to be solved with a new piece of gear.

 

[Coldwater_Canuck]

I know there are some actual speech communication systems. I don't know if these work well, but if they did I'd think they would make diving a lot safer if they were standard. A lot of the incident reports I've seen and a couple situations I've been in would be much easier if you could immediately say something to divers in your group. Hand signals work to a point, but being able to talk to each other would be a huge help.

 

[Walter]

a couple situations I've been in would be much easier if you could immediately say something to divers in your group.

So start talking.

 

[Coldwater_Canuck]

So start talking.

That would just result in me inhaling water and no one hearing anything: a good exercise in how not to communicate.