Would you understand my hand signal?

[diver 85]

I didn't know 2 and 3, but I guessed it correctly - minus the going to do a safety stop. I figured it was either let's go up or let's go down.

4, I bang the middle of my chest a couple times.

6 and 7 I didn't know... but wondering if I ever learned that in OW and simply forgot.

Either way, good post, and I think I should brush up on my signals! Now I'm pretty glad I finally bought a slate!



Same here.



You see milk comming out of you or your buddy's ass?? lol

..................I left it behind

 

[Thalassamania]

So in another thread there was some talk of hand signals not having universal meaning and which could cause confusion so I thought I'd test mine quickly. These are the signals that we use most often and I thought they'd be universally understood but now I'm not so sure. I'm interested to know how you would have interpreted my hand signals if I dived with you and we did not discuss these beforehand. Also, I'd be interested to know how you would have signaled these messages. I'll put the meanings to my signals below so you can first read the signal and consider what it would have meant to you.

(in most cases "left" and "right" can be switched)

1. Open hand, palm facing downwards, rotating the hand left and right at the wrist. Then point to my ear with my index finger.

2. One hand open, palm facing downwards. Other hand in thumbs up position with thumb touching the palm of open hand.

3. Same as 2 but upside down. In other words one hand is open with palm facing upwards. Other hand in thumbs down position with thumb touching the palm of open hand.

4. Fist of right hand pressed against left shoulder, fingers towards body OR fist of right hand held with elbow bent at 90 degrees, fingers showing towards other diver.

5. Point to other diver with index finger of left hand then make "handgun" sign with left hand (closed hand with index finger and thumb extended) and make "handgun" sign with right hand and point in the same direction as left hand but behind left hand.

6. Both hands open with palms upwards (shrugging motion) followed by index and middle finger of right hand pressed onto left upper arm.

7. Both hands open with palms upwards followed by extended index fingers of both hands held side by side.

1. Shaking of hand = "something is wrong", index finger pointed to ear = "with my ear". - SAME HERE.

2. "I'm ascending to a shallower level" or "let's ascend to a shallower level". This is mostly used to indicate that I'll be ascending to the safety stop. Also, when I'm on my safety stop and I notice my buddy is too deep I might use this signal to indicate "ascend to my level". - I'D SIGNAL THIS BY THUMBING UP AND THEN MOVING A FLAT HAND PALM DOWN FROM MY CHEST ON OUT.

3. "I'm descending to a deeper level" or "let's descend to a deeper level". I don't use this as often really but I would use it to indicate to my buddy to "descend to my level" if she's doing her safety stop too shallow. - I'D SIGNAL THIS BY THUMBING DOWN AND THEN MOVING A FLAT HAND PALM DOWN FROM MY CHEST ON OUT.

4. "I'm low on air" or more specifically "I have 50 bar left". This is usually how we indicate that the dive is over and is usually followed by a thumbs up sign. - FIST POUNDED ONCE ON THE CENTER OF THE CHEST.

5. "You lead, I will follow" - POINT TO DIVER AND THEN KARATE CHOP IN THE GENERAL DIRECTION OF TRAVEL ("I'LL FOLLOW" IS UNDERSTOOD).

6. "Where is the dive master?" - This signal is usually followed by a very sheepish grin. - I NEVER LOOK FOR DIVEMASTERS.

7. "I've lost my buddy" - This signal is usually followed by an extremely sheepish grin. - I NEVER LOSE MY BUDDY. BUT IF I DID: ONE HAND OPEN PALM UP (SHRUG) TO INDICATE A QUESTION FOLLOWS, THEN TWO INDEX FINGER TOGETHER (INDICATES "BUDDY").

Hand signal story: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ba...-missing-diver-hand-signal-2.html#post3167435

 

[MaxBottomtime]

#4, I've seen so many divers use different signals that I prefer to simply show my buddy my spg. It eliminates all guess work.

 

[Walter]

1. Open hand, palm facing downwards, rotating the hand left and right at the wrist. Then point to my ear with my index finger.

I agree.

2. One hand open, palm facing downwards. Other hand in thumbs up position with thumb touching the palm of open hand.

I'd understand, but I signal it like Thal.

3. Same as 2 but upside down. In other words one hand is open with palm facing upwards. Other hand in thumbs down position with thumb touching the palm of open hand.

I'd understand, but I signal it like Thal.

4. Fist of right hand pressed against left shoulder, fingers towards body OR fist of right hand held with elbow bent at 90 degrees, fingers showing towards other diver.

Center of chest instead of left shoulder and tap instead of merely placing it there.

5. Point to other diver with index finger of left hand then make "handgun" sign with left hand (closed hand with index finger and thumb extended) and make "handgun" sign with right hand and point in the same direction as left hand but behind left hand.

I'd figure it out, but I hate to follow or to be followed. Unless we have to go single file, I prefer to be side by side. When we do have to go single file, I signal I'll follow by placing my right arm across my stomach, them bow as I sweep my left arm out to my left side in the direction of travel. Everyone always understands.

6. Both hands open with palms upwards (shrugging motion) followed by index and middle finger of right hand pressed onto left upper arm.

Where's my muscle? I would have absolutely no idea.

7. Both hands open with palms upwards followed by extended index fingers of both hands held side by side.

Easy to understand.

 

[drl]

Eye--left tit--behind!

 

[drl]

I would understand all of these except #6, "where is the dive master?"

 

[eponym]

I remember the divemaster signal Deefstes describes. The signer is saying "stripes on shoulder" (denoting military rank), so by inference "the (dive) leader." It's easier to interpret when you see someone slash across their high upper arm to indicate the chevrons.

-Bryan

 

[TexasKaren68]

Two fingers at your own eyes; point behind buddy; hands held apart wide; pelvic thrusts; vertical palm on top of your head; palm of hand on your reg then move it towards buddy; point to buddy; point to your own butt; wave at buddy (translation: Look behind you, big ****ing shark, kiss your arse goodbye)

:spit:

 

[Walter]

I remember the divemaster signal Deefstes describes. The signer is saying "stripes on shoulder" (denoting military rank), so by inference "the (dive) leader."

The DM has no military rank and certainly has no authority to issue orders.

 

[pjones]

The DM has no military rank and certainly has no authority to issue orders.

Hang on folks, It appears we may be running into some turbulence. Please, for your own safety, I ask that you fasten your seat belts at this time....