"Out-of-air" and "share air" signals

[ParamedicDiver1]

If someone comes up and actually uses the hand signals to tell me they are out of air, then they will get my alt. However, I am equally prepared for someone to just grab my primary, forcing me to grab my alt. That is why I spent a little more money and bought a nicer alt air reg than just a bargin basement one.

 

[wedivebc]

The second "please" signal is redundant. I dont teach it...

I teach :THIS IS A FREAKIN EMERGENCY...

say thankyou later..

.

Just curious here, are you not required as a CD to teach skills a certain way? I understood the prescribed method by PADI was the "hey I'm out of air" signal followed by the "would you be so kind as to share you air with me because I am unable to breath at the moment" signal.
As a PADI instructor I agree that the second is redundant but I thought it was a standards violation not to teach that part. I always just add the disclaimer "In real life...."

 

[jrs_diesel]

My primary is on a shorter hose than is my alternate. That one stays in my mouth. The alternate is on a longer hose and has a hose wrap on it that is bright yellow. I always let my dive buddy know that if he needs it and I am not looking at him, they can just grab it and then get my attention.

 

[drglnc]

sure most agencies teach you to give your octo, but who cares what reg you give up as long as you both make it to the surface and are both still breathing.

 

[theskull]

I believe the "share air" signal serves 2 purposes:

1. In training situations it teaches divers that they can remain calm and civil while simulating out of air, because you can do without it for a minute or so and additional air is very available.

2. In real-life situations for LOW on air, the low air signal might be followed by share air, or it might be followed by the ascend signal, depending on how low the air is.

theskull

 

[Marek K]

I believe the "share air" signal serves 2 purposes:

1. In training situations it teaches divers that they can remain calm and civil while simulating out of air, because you can do without it for a minute or so and additional air is very available.

2. In real-life situations for LOW on air, the low air signal might be followed by share air, or it might be followed by the ascend signal, depending on how low the air is.

theskull

Hmm, interesting points...

I can see your first point... though most of the time, while drilling either in class or in the water, air isn't turned off... When my son was doing PADI OWD last summer (and I was "auditing" as a refresher), I seem to remember that the instructor only turned the valve off once, to demonstrate what it felt like to run out. All that students had to do at that point was slash across their throats, and the air was turned back on... no OOA drill. Sounds like it would have been a good idea to carry it a bit further, though, with a share air exercise.

As for you second point, yeah, I'd actually thought of that. Though the "low air" clenched-fist-on-chest signal is kind of hard to see, compared to others -- wonder how often it's ever used. I'd probably just tap my SPG and thumb the dive... not that you ever need to debate or explain a thumb...

--Marek

not sure I'm satisfied, though...

 

[ScubaFreak]

I seem to remember that the instructor only turned the valve off once, to demonstrate what it felt like to run out. All that students had to do at that point was slash across their throats, and the air was turned back on... no OOA drill.

Marek,

It is a required drill on the PADI OW course. Turn off the tank, give the OOA signal, the buddy donates his alternate air source, which both divers know is working fine, because it was tested during the Pre-Dive safety check. Then both divers ascend slowly to the surface.

And for what it's worth, I will also donate my alternate. Whats in my mouth is mine.

Scubafreak

 

[Marek K]

Marek,

It is a required drill on the PADI OW course. Turn off the tank, give the OOA signal, the buddy donates his alternate air source, which both divers know is working fine, because it was tested during the Pre-Dive safety check.

As mentioned, I will also donate my alternate. whats in my mouth is mine.

Scubafreak

Hmmm... maybe they did do that. I just don't remember doing it with me.

Man, you're just aching for a debate with the primary-donating folks, aren't you? :1poke:

--Marek

 

[ScubaFreak]

Hmmm... maybe they did do that. I just don't remember doing it with me.

Man, you're just aching for a debate with the primary-donating folks, aren't you? :1poke:

--Marek

Who...me?
Noooooooooooooooooooo.....

 

[miketsp]

My primary is on a shorter hose than is my alternate. That one stays in my mouth. The alternate is on a longer hose and has a hose wrap on it that is bright yellow. I always let my dive buddy know that if he needs it and I am not looking at him, they can just grab it and then get my attention.

There are several good reasons why you should donate your primary first even if you then exchange regs to leave the OOA diver using your alternate to take advantage of the longer hose.
The main reason is that you know that your primary is working and is clear.
Your alternate may have come unclipped and dragged through mud, coral etc or may be just stuck. Some divers leave their alternates on tight mouthpiece holders which may require a certain dexterity to liberate or may even pull the mouthpiece off the reg if jerked quickly.
Few alternates are capable of the high airflows that may be required by an OOA diver that may have been breath holding and just used a lot of physical energy to get to you. The alternate performance may be even more degraded when 2 divers are sharing a 1st stage.
Giving this to a stressed OOA diver may just aggravate the situation.
Give your primary, recover your alternate, make sure it's working and then after the OOA diver is calm, swap them.