Working On A Guide About Hand Signals

[Doppler]

Obviously you are in a much better position to speak for TDI than me, but in my AN/DP and Trimix classes, I was taught to use a closed fist to indicate stop (no extended pinkie) and then indicate time.

Furthermore, to end the stop and move to the next, with TDI I was taught to give a thumbs up with my right hand but cover it with an extended left hand giving a ceiling for the thumbs up. With GUE, the signal to move up is one handed and with an extended right hand simulate moving your hand up a level.

I don't speak for TDI at all... I just know their standards reasonably fluently. What you were taught, I guess, is OK, but not what's "in the book." Just saying. The thumbs-up with a hand on top is used on occasion, but the one-handed "step-up" motion is more conventional... at least, in my opinion and experience. I used to fight with Larry Green on one issue and one issue only when it came to standards and training. He taught that the signal to turn a cave dive was a thumbs up. I disagreed. A thumbs up means the rottweiler has hit the fan, let's get the heck out of Dodge. Index finger pointing up and tracing a circle means "Everything is cool but it's time to turn the dive... so who knows?

My view is that ANYTHING that adds to the possibility of confusion... especially with regards communication... is counter-productive. When it comes to hand-signals, what cave divers (and their open-water cousins) have been taught for the past 20-odd years does not need fixing. Unfortunately, that message is lost... sometimes... just like standard hand-signals get lost in the noise sometimes.

HOWEVER, all that aside, I am still waiting to hear from the OP about the source of the information he and "his family" are using to construct a new onLine resource.

 

[Keith.M]

It looks like the OP got a little ahead of himself on this one. He seems to have his website up with very little content and although he states his info is 8 chapters and free, there is ZERO regarding hand signals.

 

[nimoh]

I don't speak for TDI at all... I just know their standards reasonably fluently.

yeah, that's what I meant

What you were taught, I guess, is OK, but not what's "in the book." Just saying. The thumbs-up with a hand on top is used on occasion, but the one-handed "step-up" motion is more conventional... at least, in my opinion and experience. I used to fight with Larry Green on one issue and one issue only when it came to standards and training. He taught that the signal to turn a cave dive was a thumbs up. I disagreed. A thumbs up means the rottweiler has hit the fan, let's get the heck out of Dodge. Index finger pointing up and tracing a circle means "Everything is cool but it's time to turn the dive... so who knows?

My view is that ANYTHING that adds to the possibility of confusion... especially with regards communication... is counter-productive. When it comes to hand-signals, what cave divers (and their open-water cousins) have been taught for the past 20-odd years does not need fixing. Unfortunately, that message is lost... sometimes... just like standard hand-signals get lost in the noise sometimes.

HOWEVER, all that aside, I am still waiting to hear from the OP about the source of the information he and "his family" are using to construct a new onLine resource.

funny, I was also taught thumbs up to turn the dive in GUE Cave 1 and always thought it strange that we already have a signal to turn the dive, why would it be different in a cave?

 

[Skittl1321]

PADI safety stop: extend hand palm down and move it around indicating level off here

Weird- that isn't what my PADI instructor's did. They would do "stop sign" hand and then hold up 3 fingers, to indicate stopping for 3 minutes at the current level.


My husband knows ASL. It is really frustrating because he tries to sign to me. I don't know what the hell he is saying. I really would like to get a slate.

 

[divad]

My husband knows ASL. It is really frustrating because he tries to sign to me. I don't know what the hell he is saying.

I would avail myself of the opportunity to learn (and practice easily) ASL. Think of the fun you could have (and get away with) in public. Even at a rudimentary level it would neat to be able to communicate underwater beyond the basic hand signals. I guess the trade-off would be that he must be at least as articulate as you are in basic hand signals while you are learning ASL. Sorry for meddling.

 

[zenmedianetworks]

Interested to know from where you have drawn the examples you are going to publish. There are already several excellent books and YouTube Videos explaining hand signals (from cave and technical diving to recreational reef diving and fish watching), and applaud any efforts to collect the various types of signals and put them all in one place.

Doppler I am applying what I was taught as well as abusing the google search bar for the first chapter which is basics. The rest I will need a bit of help with any takers?

The point is just what you say, to get them all in one place and I'm not trying to be the pro by any means I just couldn't find them all in one place either. I will gladly take duplicate hand signal PMs or messages otherwise to improve the quality and accuracy.

As the quide progresses I would love to "ammend" it until its pretty much got em' all. What do you all think about this approach? Later upon exhaustivity (real word?) maybe compile it into a hardcopy and ebook.

---------- Post added October 4th, 2013 at 07:23 PM ----------

It looks like the OP got a little ahead of himself on this one. He seems to have his website up with very little content and although he states his info is 8 chapters and free, there is ZERO regarding hand signals.

Hey sorry to double post but I've been busy guys! I'm trying as hard a possible to get this put together and my family is real don't worry that's why I have not as much time as I'd like I'll post the intro and fist chapter next month and let me know if you have suggestions and added signals and we will throw them in there. Thanks for your support!

 

[spectrum]

If you need a subtitle consider "10 popular air pressure signaling methods". Talk about something that is all over the place!

 

[Doc Harry]

Ther are already several books available on scuba hand signals

 

[zenmedianetworks]

Ther are already several books available on scuba hand signals

Do you own any of them personally if so what is your favorite one? I'm familiar with a few of them and curious which one people find the most useful.

 

[Doc Harry]

I have a couple of hand signal books. They are all different to some degree have their advantages and disadvantages. I wish the industry could get together a come up with a standard set of signals.

Actually a book is a terrible medium to explain hand signals - video is much better. Another book is a waste of time. You'd be better off producing a DVD than a book. (But you'd need divers with impeccable trim and buoyancy control to demonstrate the hand signals.)

I come from a military background and so I don't use a lot of the common "scuba" signals, I use my old military signals. Old habits die hard..