EFX
Contributor
I read the article by DAN from the first post and came across this:
"The proper course of action is for the buddy to return the signal, terminate the dive, and head to the surface together. Without a prearranged communication plan, however, buddies who don’t know what is wrong may spend precious time trying to figure it out. Even worse, they might respond inappropriately, such as letting the ill diver return to the surface alone." [emphasis mine]
"To help avoid these situations and better communicate health problems while diving, PADI has developed a new standard hand signal for “I don’t feel well” that the organization now teaches in its courses. The signal is simple: With their fingers pointing toward them, the ill diver draws a large oval in front of their head and torso to indicate that they are physically unwell. "
As others have already mentioned this new hand signal is superfluous. A preexisting hand signal, the thumbs up, can be used to cover this situation. The problem, IMO, is that not all hand signals are explained well enough, or not at all to the students. In my OW class I was taught the thumbs up signal meant going to a shallower depth. This signal could be followed by the number of feet or meters for the new depth. I have since adopted the NACD (National Association of Cave Divers) one-handed signals. In an overhead environment the thumbs up means to exit to open water immediately. This signal must not be overruled and needs to be returned by the buddy. In open water the thumbs up means let's go to the surface now bypassing any deco or safety stops. It also cannot be overruled and must be returned by the buddy. In both cases the buddy pair stays together throughout the dive.
There are also a combination of other signals to convey problems (ex. the trouble signal followed by pointing to an ear). If the diver is so ill (as implied in the DAN article) that she must terminate the dive what point is there in attempting to explain the issue to your buddy? What can the buddy do about it? On the surface which is safer, you have more time to explain the problem in more detail where a hand signal could be confusing or misunderstood.
We don't need another hand signal. We need better communication regarding the meaning and use of preexisting hand signals predive and during OW courses.
"The proper course of action is for the buddy to return the signal, terminate the dive, and head to the surface together. Without a prearranged communication plan, however, buddies who don’t know what is wrong may spend precious time trying to figure it out. Even worse, they might respond inappropriately, such as letting the ill diver return to the surface alone." [emphasis mine]
"To help avoid these situations and better communicate health problems while diving, PADI has developed a new standard hand signal for “I don’t feel well” that the organization now teaches in its courses. The signal is simple: With their fingers pointing toward them, the ill diver draws a large oval in front of their head and torso to indicate that they are physically unwell. "
As others have already mentioned this new hand signal is superfluous. A preexisting hand signal, the thumbs up, can be used to cover this situation. The problem, IMO, is that not all hand signals are explained well enough, or not at all to the students. In my OW class I was taught the thumbs up signal meant going to a shallower depth. This signal could be followed by the number of feet or meters for the new depth. I have since adopted the NACD (National Association of Cave Divers) one-handed signals. In an overhead environment the thumbs up means to exit to open water immediately. This signal must not be overruled and needs to be returned by the buddy. In open water the thumbs up means let's go to the surface now bypassing any deco or safety stops. It also cannot be overruled and must be returned by the buddy. In both cases the buddy pair stays together throughout the dive.
There are also a combination of other signals to convey problems (ex. the trouble signal followed by pointing to an ear). If the diver is so ill (as implied in the DAN article) that she must terminate the dive what point is there in attempting to explain the issue to your buddy? What can the buddy do about it? On the surface which is safer, you have more time to explain the problem in more detail where a hand signal could be confusing or misunderstood.
We don't need another hand signal. We need better communication regarding the meaning and use of preexisting hand signals predive and during OW courses.
