Standardized hand signals for numbers?

[The Kraken]

I like to do it with my students . . . helps them learn to think.

the K

 

[Peter Guy]

I was taught to flash open hands of 5 fingers for each remaining 500 PSI and adjust the last hand at to 1 finger for each remaining 100 PSI.

And this is, I believe, the most common way and yet, of course, the most confusing! Something I really like about "one handed numbers" is that, in general, you can assume the zero ("1" for pressure is highly unlikely to mean 100, 10 or 1! so assuming 1000 is correct -- likewise for depth -- "8" means 80, not 800 or 8 -- context is important) but if you need the zero (200 degrees not 20) it is easy enough to do.

I am certainly going to introduce students to the one handed system rather than the cumbersome, and often difficult to understand, flashing 5.

 

[Greendiver]

As you get more advanced in your dive abilities, you probably would not be looking to know approx how much air your buddy has, ok or not ok is more than good enough. However, at my current level I kind of like to know and I like to know that he knows, what is left in the gas tank(s).

With that in mind, what other numbers would need to communicated accurately without having to break out the slate? Compass heading maybe? Depth?

 

[ScubaDocER]

I was taught the one handed technique (as Kraken described) for counting and teach my students the same. It's simple, convenient, allows you to keep a hand on a light, scooter, etc. I also give examples to them before the dive, and ask their pressure during the dive to reiterate the concept. It's worked well thus far.

 

[ScubaDocER]

As you get more advanced in your dive abilities, you probably would not be looking to know approx how much air your buddy has, ok or not ok is more than good enough. However, at my current level I kind of like to know and I like to know that he knows, what is left in the gas tank(s).

With that in mind, what other numbers would need to communicated accurately without having to break out the slate? Compass heading maybe? Depth?

The answer to that question depends on what you are wanting to communicate. You can use the same numerical system to communicate psi (which I like to do with my buddy), depth (if necessary), safety stop (as a reminder), and compass headings (as you mentioned) are the ones that come to mind. I am sure others will chime in on other uses.

 

[jwc3]

My instructor taught me to signal thousands on the left arm and hundreds straight up. So, 1300psi would be one finger laid across the left forearm, then three fingers held straight up.

 

[PTAaron]

We just finished our open water at the beginning of the month, and I don't recall learning a standard way to signal the numbers. If we did, it was not emphasized. In fact during one of our "fun dives" after completing skills the DM leading us asked me and my wife to signal our pressure - I was confused for a second, and simply replied with "OK" since I was at 1250 or so. She was getting low - so she signaled with a thumb up... and we went up.

We were just talking about that experience afterward and came up with a system we could agree on and have been practicing communicating random things like the time to each other to be sure we both understand just in case we need to share information.

 

[Riger]

Interesting conversation.

What is noticeable to me is that there seems to be a difference between the Psiotypes and the Barotypes.

I have only ever dived in Barotype waters and we do not use thousands. For the most part your pressure is only ever 210 or less to start with and you should reach the surface with minimum between 30Bar and 70Bar depending on the type of dive, operator and so forth.

The "challenge" signal for "what is your air pressure?" is index and middle finger laid flat on the opposite palm. The response for 100 is using a flat hand to make a "T" against the other flat hand, a fist for 50 and individual fingers for each unit of ten from 10 to 40.

So for 180 Bar / T - Fist - 3 Fingers
For 140 Bar / T - 4 Fingers
For 90 Bar /Fist - 4 Fingers (Edited : Corrected after the fact)

Looking back at the PADI OW manual, I find no reference to hand signals for numbers, I wonder if this is a purposeful omission due to regional differences. It would seem that a international standard would be ideal.

Best Regards
Richard

 

[Jim Lapenta]

It is a regional and even individual instructor thing. I was initially taught that if it was over 500 you still flashed 500. In other words 2800 was 2 fingers followed by 5. This let him know that you had at least 2500 psi. Seemed ok at the time but I teach the vertical up to 5 and horizontal above that. But I show my students every method I've run into just so they know and it also reinforces that the best thing to do is decide which method will be used BEFORE they go under. This way even when diving with a stranger they know what to do. One of the first questions I tell them to ask instabuddies or someone they may know but have yet to dive with is what signals they will use. This last class, by pool session 4 they were making sure they did this before entering the pool. A habit I like to see.

 

[RJP]

What other numbers would need to communicated accurately without having to break out the slate? Compass heading maybe? Depth?

Time too...

eg: "Ascend to 2-0 for 1-3 minutes."