How to Communicate Air Level

[ClayJar]

First, that was a slight jest to do it easy, but since you've replied...

.........4500 would be.......index, middle, ring, & pinky from your right hand laid out flat on your left forearm(that's 4000 psi) then all 5 fingers pointing straight up(that's 500) so 4000 +500 = 4500 psi........You can add 2 quick ok (fingers forming a circle for the 2 zeros in 4500) signs but it's not necessary .....

Okay, now what do I do with my buddy who only has one arm? (This is *not* a hypothetical question.) Of course, when I've got a light in one hand (or an inflator, or a lift bag and anchor, or... or...), I only have one hand available, so I'm in the same boat.

Seriously, though, holding your hand up (or across) and perpendicular to the direction of view makes the signal as visible as possible. Additionally, we see no need for special-casing digits based on context. We use the same digits any time we signal numbers, whether they're pressures (psi or bar), depth (feet or meters), time (minutes or... um... well, minutes), or even phone numbers (hey, it happened). How would you signal "225-867-5309" in flashing fives or slapping arms?

OR if he/she gives you the question mark, pull he/she by the yoke toward you & show he/she your fricking SPG,-----now, hopefully they're not an uncorrected presbyope making a dive(& can't see jack **** without their Rx)...........

We prefer to learn ten little digits (and only ten digits) for our numbers. Anyone who cannot learn ten digits (you don't have to signal fast; we're quite patient) either has a learning disability or simply doesn't care. In the former case, we'll work on it, but we'll work out showing the SPG for pressure checks before we start the dive. In the latter case, that would be a flapping red flag to us, and we'd offer to help should the diver ever change their mind.

With new divers, I'd just have them show me the gauge.

I require more of the new divers I dive with, and they are rewarded with a sense of accomplishment and greatly improved skills. That makes me feel very happy, which makes the whole thing a vicious cycle. (It's especially vicious when they thank you for making their diving much more enjoyable... how can you say no to that? ) Of course, that said, if the regress, they can show me their gauge, and then we'll practice signaling again (right then, with real numbers).

 

[diver 85]

To better illustrate the speed benefit of NOT needing the other forearm, consider the following. I signal for a pressure check. My buddy reaches with his left hand and unclips his SPG from his waist D-ring. As he's going to reclip it, he's flashing me his pressure with his right hand. By the time he's done with the left hand, I already know his pressure. Using numbers across the forearm would require a pressure check (unclip and reclip for him) and only *then* would his left arm be free for him to use the system you suggested. In this case, I don't see how what you suggests would be quicker.

????/...Why in the hell does your buddy choose a system that needs a clipping & unclipping of a SPG????.........Don't tell me, I think I know the answer........IMO, get a new system, one that works...as I've stated before, I'v had no problems @ 120+ ft over 300 dives with the way I've described.......The book I read says 'don't fix it if it ain't broken'.........

 

[ClayJar]

The book I read says 'don't fix it if it ain't broken'.........

All too often, that quote turns into "It ain't broken if you don't fix it."

 

[h90]

Kinda a stupid question, but you know what they say - there is no such thing. While under water, what is the standard way to communicate your air level? What I mean is, say you're buddy signals that they want to know how much air you have left. You check and you have 1900psi. How would you communicate this short of showing them your spg?

I was on a dive recently doing some training with about 5 other divers that I had never dove with before; so, we didn't have any clear cut signals for this. The instructor went around to everybody signalling "how much air do you have left". Some of the other divers tapped on their arm and then held up fingers (not sure what this meant). Others, tried to signal using their fingers - such as for 1900 they held up 1 finger and then 9 fingers.

Seems like something simple, but I was confused and forgot to ask after the dive.

S. Nagel

I use bar and say 130 bar I signal as: 10 fingers for 100 and 3 fingers for 30 bar.
80 bar I would signal with just 8 finger

 

[josh]

I use bar and say 130 bar I signal as: 10 fingers for 100 and 3 fingers for 30 bar.
80 bar I would signal with just 8 finger

Bar also. Everything above and including 150 - "OK" sign. One hundred is "T" and fingers for 10 bar. Below one hundred, fingers per 10 bar down to agreed point (50 or 70 bar depending upon dive and student) and then "low air" sign (clenched fist on chest).
-j-

 

[String]

All this talk... it's quite simple.

If all scuba divers knew how to sign ASL, all of this talk about communication issues goes away.

Or BSL or any of the other variants.

However none of those are very effective in diving.

Thick gloves and cold hands means bending certain fingers to produce those gestures is impossible. You just dont have the dexterity.
Certainly useless if wearing 3 finger mitts in very cold waters.

 

[Guba]

But there is somewhat of a reason why divers might not choose to use ASL underwater. Note that "nine" looks a lot like "OK" and "ten" is the signal to surface. Even the simplest things can sometimes be misunderstood and lend themselves toward creating confusion.
Just a thought.

 

[Guba]

Okay, my apologies for the redundancy that others have noted...that'll teach me to start reading the posts from most recent backwards.

 

[waynel]

Here's one a DM showed me:

Use upraised fingers for everything starting from 1,000 on up: For example, 1,000 would be an upraised index finger. 1,500 would be one finger, close your fist and raise 5 fingers. Same is true for 2,000 and 2,500...2 fingers, and 2 fingers followed by 5 fingers (respectively).

For anything under 1,000, use a closed fist turned sideways: 500 would simply be the closed fist turned sideways. 400 would be four fingers turned sideways. How about 900? Simple. Closed fist turned sideways (for 500) followed by 4 fingers turned sideways.

This system eliminates the need to flash 4- fives, etc. Also eliminates the need to use both arms, meaning touching the opposite wrist (very handy if your carrying something in that other hand such as a light or camera).

It reduces all air remaining signals to one or two movements (using one hand). I always use this. I run through the same examples I've posted here twice with a dive buddy during pre-dive and watch the light come on. Amazingly simple.

 

[TSandM]

MOD POST​

This is a good discussion of a good topic, but it CAN proceed without rudeness or personal attacks, or it will not proceed at all.