How do you signal a question?

[vondo]

How do you ask a question underwater? For instance, is there a sign for "Are you OK?" When I've tried this, I might do the OK sign and then the palms out and facing up as in "huh?" but I don't think that really got through.

Another one I want to ask frequently is "How much air do you have?"

 

[ththooft]

To ask is someone is okay, I ususally just flash the okay sign to them first. Most people I've dove with understand that as you asking, "are you okay?".
As for air, I usually point at my computer/pressure gauge, and then point at them to ask. At that point they know to flash to me how much air they have.
If I'm not used to diving with the person, I will usually swim over and look at their pressure gauge to eliminate confusion.
It's also a good practive to review these skills prior to getting in the water.

 

[wedivebc]

I use a bent index finger like a question mark

 

[Mark Vlahos]

How do you ask a question underwater? For instance, is there a sign for "Are you OK?" When I've tried this, I might do the OK sign and then the palms out and facing up as in "huh?" but I don't think that really got through.

Another one I want to ask frequently is "How much air do you have?"

The book here is probably the best resource available on the issue of hand signals. Cave divers use a very large amount of hand signals, but this book is intended for both cave divers and open water divers.

The OK signal is both the question and the answer, if you flash the OK sign to me I will assume that you are OK and that you want to know if I am OK. I will respond with the most appropriate signal, hopefully it will be OK.

If you flash me the thumbs up sign I will assume that you want to terminate the dive, and I will reply with a thumbs up indicating my willingness to end the dive with you.

Mark Vlahos

 

[Kevfin]

As everyone is saying, using standardized signals and reviewing them with your dive buddy is a good idea.

If you find that you have a buddy that you dive with all of the time, you can come up with additional ways of communication. You can use whatever you want that fits the diving that you do. The main thing is that you both understand each other.

 

[H2Andy]

like wedivebc, i use a crooked index finger to signify "question"

so if i want to ask a new buddy, how much air do you have?

i will sign:

question mark
point to buddy
point to my spg
question mark

with buddies i dive a lot, this has been shortened to:

question mark
tap the spg with two fingers three or four times

the question "are you ok?" is asked by flashing your buddy an ok sign.
this is a command signal, and he must return it with an ok sign.

that lets you know he's ok. or lying.

 

[Doc]

How do you ask a question underwater? For instance, is there a sign for "Are you OK?"

1)Point at the guy, then 2)give the okay sign. If he doesn't get it, I'd give up and let him struggle some more, but you could repeat the two signs and add 3)the "two upturned palm & shrug" dealie as a third and one-half sign.

Most people that are not okay will not be able to get it together enough to signal you back. Decide if they are okay by observing them. Look with care for outward symptoms such as bleeding (which is green like Vulcan blood) or drowning (which generally results in a bluish cast to the skin or also a lack of bubbles upon what would be reasonably assumed as an exhalation cycle).

Another one I want to ask frequently is "How much air do you have?"

With most divers it is best to snag a look at their SPG.

Various regions have certain prefered signals, running from two fingers tapping the other outheld palm, two fingers circling the outheld palm. This may tickle and cause you to giggle and spit out your own reg and then boy won't you be in a pickle ! So be careful.

Or just showing your new best buddy your SPG might work, but if not and then if he's a complete veg, motion to him that you want to see his.

The best advice, agree to signal each other when you get to 1/2 tank (ie: 1500 psi) by flashing each other the T sign (the time out sign used by NFL Refs)

Most divers use the second half of their tank much faster than the first half because 1) it is harder to suck it out of the tank at 1500 psi versus 3000 psi, 2) and mostly because they think that #1 is correct so they are pre-occupied with running out of air and afraid that the DM will scream at them for being below 500 psi. and then there's the biggest reason 3) which is they normally notice this 1/2 left condition at the deepest depth of the dive after 28 minutes.

There are simple laminated phrase boards as well as "typewriter" boards for the truly talkative. As you progress, a simple click of a carabiner gate against itself will alert a good buddy. Until then there are underwater explosive devices that will easily wake the dead and everyone except your buddy who will dawdle off into the blue haze as you are being devoured by a Giant Damselfish that was hatched near a Nuclear Reactor- but I digress.

American Sign Language is the cats pyjamas, but we can't even get ours to wear a collar.

 

[nauifins73]

Check out Seasigns.com. It is a sign language course for divers, based on ASL.

 

[Mo2vation]

Is the question here HOW do you ask a question? Or is it how do I articulate a question underwater?

They both start the same. First off, you need to get your buddy's attention. To do this, don't ever, ever, ever tug on a fin to get their attention. Never. Of course, your buddy is a kick away, right?

You have options to get their attention:

1) Move your light slowly into their field of vision and pan is slowly. They'll look at you.

2) Shine your light onto their hands. That should do if they can't see the light pan.

3) Shine your light onto their cheek. It will light up their mask without blinding them. They'll look at you.

If that doesn't work (or if you have no light) place your hand lightly on their calf. They'll turn and you can fire off the question. Do NOT pull on their fin.

With their complete attention, simply ask the question.


Apart from the obvious ones that we all have signals for:

* You OK? (OK sign)
* How Much Gas you Got Left? - I will always look at the gauge when I'm not with a regular buddy (Palm up, point to it with other hand)
* Where's the Boat? (hands cupped in Hull shape, shrugged shoulder)
* Are you Cold? (Burrrrrrr)
* I gotta Pee (uh, you know that one...)
* Turn Around (fickle finger of fate - index finger spin)
* Stick together / get closer (index fingers from each hand pointing forward, close together)
etc, etc, etc...

Most of these are hashed out on the way to the site or on the boat ride over. The 4 or 5 essentials can be confirmed with an insta buddy in the 60 seconds before you drop.

Are you looking for a conversation? There isn't much signing underwater. If its not on the short list of 6 or 7 basic questions, break out the Wet Notes. They're the best $16 investment you'll ever make in your diving.

No more "huh?"... When in doubt, write it out. If you have something to say, write it down.

---
Ken

 

[H2Andy]

No more "huh?"... When in doubt, write it out. If you have something to say, write it down.

easy for you to say... i get narced out of my gourd at 20 feet, so writing anything
is a monumentally difficult task

add to that my cold, cramped fingers (cold wus) and my naturally horrible
handwriting, and all i get is a "question mark" back, or a shake of the head