How to Communicate Air Level

[ClayJar]

My buddies and I exclusively use the one-handed numbers (PDF) signaling system. The best part about it is that the numbers can be used for *anything* that needs numbers.

For "I'm at 1900 psi, let's ascend to 60' for a stop, 2 minutes." we just signal "pressure-1-9-0-0, ascend-level-6-0, stop-2-minutes". Each word or digit is a single, distinct signal, and none of the signals require two hands (which tends to be a problem if you only have one hand available -- not at all a rare occurrence).

Of course, I'm equally at home in bars and meters, and the digits don't need to change, there, either.

 

[Thalassamania]

My usual response is to either signal OK or hold up a gauge, as appropriate to the circumstance.

 

[String]

We train here to show the gauge. Cuts down on misunderstanding and if someone is narc'd cuts down the chances they read and signalled it wrong or one of the 2.


Otherwise in bar its a T sign (one vertical hand, one horizontal on top) for 100 bar. A closed fist for 50 bar then each finger for 10 bar.

So 160 bar would be T sign, then closed fist, then 1 finger.

 

[El Orans]

Otherwise in bar its a T sign (one vertical hand, one horizontal on top) for 100 bar. A closed fist for 50 bar then each finger for 10 bar.

So 160 bar would be T sign, then closed fist, then 1 finger.

The only downside is that it requires two hands.

An alternative would be to point the finger(s) upwards to indicate 10-50 and sidewards to indicate 60-100.

 

[dalelynnsims]

One thing that you may consider is to teach a bit of American Sign Language (ASL). Easy to learn and in teaching this you are actually teaching another language that has multiple applications. We happen to have an instructor that knows ASL fluently and deploying this along with standard hand signals has been great. See http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm for video dictionary of words . . . yea the numbers also.

Best Fishes!! <;///><

 

[Rainer]

My gf and I will sometimes finger spell (using ASL alphabet) to communicate underwater (it's rare when "typical" scuba signs aren't enough). Learning ASL seems a bit much, however.

 

[SkullDeformity]

I REALLY hate people who flash hands and use "5s" and think this is somehow an effective means of communication. It isn't.

 

[Rainer]

I REALLY hate people who flash hands and use "5s" and think this is somehow an effective means of communication. It isn't.

Yeah, isn't that a killer? I mean, it can take four, sometimes, even five ENTIRE seconds! Since we often never need to check each other's pressure, and usually check at most once during a dive, I feel really cheated by giving up so much time. I can see why you *hate* such people. :shakehead

 

[SkullDeformity]

Explain to me how flashing your hands in 5s makes any sense at all? I did that trip for one dive with a clown of a "dive master" who had been diving for a whole 8 months, it isn't an effective or logical way to communicate.:shakehead

I don't care what you and your dive buddy do, but if you're diving with me you will not use that insane method.:shakehead

 

[Rainer]

Explain to me how flashing your hands in 5s makes any sense at all? I did that trip for one dive with a clown of a "dive master" who had been diving for a whole 8 months, it isn't an effective or logical way to communicate.

Dude, that's flash TWICE for 1000 (five fingers = 500PSI). How often are you checking his pressure? I know my buddies pressure to within 200 PSI at all times because I know my pressure. In any case, it just doens't take any time. How you can say it isn't "logical" makes me question whether you know what that word means.