Signals & Signs

[ScubaNorth]

Hmmmm from the Wimp thread it looks like we needed a whole new one on hand signals. As it appears a lot of the NELD folk dive together maybe the signals should be rehashed for everyones sake. Anyone have a link to a good hand signal site?

 

[nite_diver]

some one did post a message for the hand signals. rule of thumb for diving is before you enter the water is to make sure ALL divers are on the right track for hand signals. don't want to be under and then you don't know what the dive buddy is triing to tell you.

nite_diver

 

[gfisher4792]

some one did post a message for the hand signals. rule of thumb for diving is before you enter the water is to make sure ALL divers are on the right track for hand signals. don't want to be under and then you don't know what the dive buddy is triing to tell you.

nite_diver

Here's that post: http://www.scubaboard.com/t68095-.html

 

[LobstaMan]

I obviously need a refresher on the accepted hand signals. Either that or learn to talk u/w. Thanks for the link.

LobstaMan

 

[Soggy]

What's most important is that the hand signals are standardized, clear, and simple...especially the important ones: hold, dive over, and OOA. No other signal should be similar enough to cause confusion with the other ones.

Command signals such as "hold" and "thumbs up" need to be responded to by repeating the signal back to your buddy, otherwise I have no idea if you understood what I was saying. New buddy teams should go over and agree on signals before getting in the water, especially the command signals.

Signals also need to very clear, not sloppy, casual, or rushed.

 

[MSilvia]

What's most important is that the hand signals are standardized, clear, and simple...especially the important ones: hold, dive over, and OOA. No other signal should be similar enough to cause confusion with the other ones.

I agree that that's how it should be, but with GUE and PADI teaching conflicting signals, standardization is going to be hard to achieve except within teams who dive together regularly, or among people with consistant training.

No signals should be similar, and yet a fist can either mean hold or danger (which of course demand very different responses) depending who you ask.

Since this pretty much necessitates a review of signals with new buddies, maybe a list of important ones would be handy.

I think the most important to know (at least for recreational dives) are:

• okay?/okay or not okay
• hold/acknowledge
• thumb dive/acknowledge
• How's your pressure?
• out of air

I've also found myself using the following frequently:

• Cool!
• Look at...
• Directions (including leveling off)

 

[Soggy]

Cool!

This is a sign I use frequently and learned from you!

 

[MSilvia]

The cool sign is something I picked up out of necessity, when as a newbie diver I accidentally used the thumbs-up to indicate that something was good on several occasions.

For the benefit of the rest of you, the sign is like a thumbs-up, but with the pinky extended. Basicly, it's the surfer "hang loose" signal. It doesn't work with mitts.

 

[Fly N Dive]

i carry a slate when longer conversations are needed. it has a magnadoodle on one side and a slate on the other. works great

 

[DA Aquamaster]

One sign we use locally is to extend a middle finger and point at whatever piece of equipment is malfunctioning. I have not actually seen this in any agency manuals. It translates as "this piece of gear is....err...broken".

I also have the above mentioned mini-quest magna doodle/slate that comes in handy with complex thoughts and with novice divers. It can be fun to use and to draw pictures with. Also works for tic tac toe, hangman, etc during deco stops.