Question Tech signs to indicate next stop depth/duration

[Rogerdd]

I started diving with other buddies in a dfifferent part of the world and realised the steps/signs that I learnt to indicate the next stop depth and duration might not be the most universal.

I usually use option B, but is option A more common? Or something else even?

Step​	Option A​	Option B​
1	Signal to ascend: flat hand moving horizontally upward, palm down	Indicate target depth: show number using fingers
2	Indicate target depth: show number using fingers	Signal to ascend: flat hand moving horizontally upward, palm down
3	Indicate stop duration: show number using fingers	Indicate stop duration: show number using fingers

 

[inquis]

We use option A1-2 for the first stop, but don't bother giving a time. When that stop is clear and one of us says ascend to the next stop (using just A1), the other agrees (with A1) or responds no and remaining time. If it was a no, they give the ascent signals moving forward.

 

[LFMarm]

Exactly same as above .

The only stop when we talk about time A3 is at the last 6m stop which can be quite long to get an idea of the slowest deco in the team.

 

[LFMarm]

Just to make sure, A1 for me is this:

 

[Rogerdd]

When that stop is clear and one of us says ascend to the next stop (using just A1), the other agrees (with A1)

So in this case that assumes we still follow the dive plan and we all agree on the next stop depth, what if the computer of one of the divers indicates a deeper stop? (For example dive plan was first stop 21m, second 15m but now that diver’s computer says, after completing the 21m stop, that the next stop is 18m), would that diver reply aggreeing with A1, but also specifying the depth with an A2 sign since it’s deviating from the dive plan?

responds no and remaining time.

In this case I assume the ‘no’ would be a horizontal hand movement from left to right with palm facing down to indicate the need to stay at the current depth, + A3 sign to give time left at that depth

Exactly same as above .

The only stop when we talk about time A3 is at the last 6m stop which can be quite long to get an idea of the slowest deco in the team.

For the last 6m stop, you would do A1>A2>A3 in that order at the end of the stop preceding that 6m stop (for example at 9m)?

Or at 9m just do A1, then at 6m do a left to right hand movement palm down, and do A3?

 

[Mobulai]

A1 + A2 as well
Only indicate stop time (A3) at last stop or when explicitly asked (tends to happen when different variations of Algo is used between team members)

 

[DiveLikeAMuppet]

I wouldn’t ask about the duration of the next stop, it doesn’t matter at that point and you might still be ongassing.

A1 + A2 would mean let’s ascend to a depth, I would expect teammates to confirm. This might or might not be the first deco stop - on a CCR what works for me on dives with shorter deco is to slow down the ascent from 10 meters a minute around 24-21 meters and let the loop settle for few seconds and then continue slower to the actual stop, because that’s a depth where the loop starts to expand quite rapidly and ppO2 starts to drop much more.

To indicate my deco ceiling I would hover a flat hand A1 above my head and indicate a number (my ceiling), or ask with a raised index finger.

To ask / say length of current stop I would move flat hand in front of me and then indicate a number or ask with a raised index finger.

 

[tbone1004]

A1 then A2 for the first stop, then just the second part of A1 after that to indicate it's time to move up.
For time there's basically two options. Option 1 is if you are diving slightly different algorithms you let the person with the most conservative algorithm lead deco and then they just give "depth-up-ok?" and you should have cleared already so you respond with "ok". Option 2 is if you're diving the same algorithm and you may be one or two minutes off the deco lead will either look at your computer if they can see it easily or just ask "question-deco" when they have 1-2mins left on the stop so they know if they can move when they're done or how long to wait after their stop clears. I'm personally a bigger fan of Option 1 since it means less talking underwater and with my regular dive buddies it's much easier that way.

 

[Mobulai]

Just to make sure, A1 for me is this:

Hisham Abtan is such a chill dude IRL, always love running into him in Dahab at dive sites — didn’t know he has a YT

 

[LFMarm]

For the last 6m stop, you would do A1>A2>A3 in that order at the end of the stop preceding that 6m stop (for example at 9m)?

Or at 9m just do A1, then at 6m do a left to right hand movement palm down, and do A3?

• Stop at 9m as all other ones.
• Stop at 6m, when everyone in the team is settled, we ask everyone for how much deco left to find out the runtime for the whole team.