The firsthand signal that most scuba divers learn is the ok hand signal. But with the second stage of a regulator in your mouth, its hard to clearly convey a message to your buddy. Chapter 4 hand signals 12 chapter 5 slates 30 chapter 6 touch contact 33 chapter 7 reels and line markers 37 cave diving and the nss 55 nss publications 57 index 58 iii. In professional diving, communication is usually between a single working diver and the diving supervisor at the surface control point. You could also have ascended above the group a bit and extended your ndl that way. The hand signals are derived from the us navy diving manualvolume2. Knowing your hand signals while diving is vital for your personal safety. Learned from gue to count like so, makes things pretty simple and grows well when you use bigger numbers. Below are the eighteen distinct signals, showing the position of the signalers hands, fingers, arms and body.
No standard signal im aware of, but in my local group we do a hand flat out palm up then point down on it with the thumb of the other hand like the descend signal for bottom, then signal the number of minutes left. When this signal is given, observe your heading, read your altimeter, check with your jumpmaster for any hand signals practice touch 1arch and look straight ahead. Hand signals for scuba diving for android apk download. Scuba hand signals are essential in your training as a diver because this lets you communicate underwater. Ansi hand signals can be found in the ansi handbook of signals. Common hand signals for recreational scuba diving scope and purpose to formally standardize the most common hand signals used during recreational scuba diving. The hand signal for low air is to hold a clenched fist over the center of the chest.
Media in category diving hand signals the following 119 files are in this category, out of 119 total. Every scuba diver should know all 30 of these basic hand signals. Scuba diving hand signals for identifying marine life. Both a question and an answer, youll make the okay sign just as you would on land, forming a circle with your thumb and index finger and raising your remaining three fingers. For example, it lets you tell your buddy that you have been diving for long enough and want to warm up after a cold dive. More than 240 commonly used gestures are illustrated and grouped into eight categories. Downward movement of the hand indicates direction of travel. Standardized hand signals for remaining air scubaboard.
Common scuba hand signals the most established diving padi dive signals and common arm gestures are used on all dives as part of the buddy system of diving. Reprinted with the express permission of the recreational scuba training council rstc on september 25, 20. This method is a series of 19 hand signals, each of which describes an action the operator is to take with the crane. Techies have developed a system of hand signals that allows them to communicate fairly complex messages with as few precise signals as possible.
Effective underwater communication is necessary for the safe and efficient conduct of any recreational or trainingrelated scuba dive. Some divers even find themselves using scuba diving hand signals on land. While these hand signs arent necessarily the most obvious, theyre easy and are learned gradually, just like a new language, and will in time become automatic every time you head under the surface. Scuba diving magazine hand signals scuba divers should. Just as we should periodically refresh our skills in diving, we should not forget our only reliable and universal way of speaking underwater the divers hand signals. Hoist, or raise, the load with your forearm and index finger pointing up, move your hand in a small horizontal circle lower the load with your forearm and finger pointing down, move your hand in a small horizontal circle. Underwater hand signals are the secret language of divers. It is a book that belongs in every scuba divers library, no matter whether you are a novice or highly experienced. Watch technical divers signal each other underwater and it might seem like they speak a different language. I have been told to use this by several people now, including my instructors.
This signal can be used as both a question and a response. The image below gives a basic list of all the basic hand signals both padi and bsac and it a useful guide when youre learning to dive. This was the first time i had seen hand signals in flashes of five, so i didnt understand why he didnt interpret it correctly. Osha requires that a hand signal chart for the particular. Weaksoft hand signals fun divers and students dont take these scuba signals seriously to strongaggressive scuba diving hand signals can scare the fun diver or student, diving is supposed. Make a fist with one hand, thumb extended downward. Buddy checks are important as it is easy to miss things at night.
Dan has answered more than 300,000 medical inquiries over the past 30 years. Divings nacd outstanding book, hand signals for diving, authored. Scubasigns is the definitive guide to all diving hand signals. Did you know there are hand signals for wreck diving, too. Hand signals also help to maintain safety during a dive. Basic standard hand signals for cranes and hoisting equipment issued. Common diving hand signals stop raise hand vertically, fingers together, palm facing the receiver. A full illustrated guide to hand signals used by scuba divers. The more divers you log, the faster your underwater vocabulary will grow. Scuba diving tips hand signals crystal dive koh tao. The okay hand sign is probably the most frequently used of all body signs underwater because it is the method of confirming that you are fine ok in sign language and you do not have a. Once you get good at them, you can have entire conversations underwater. Tossed in the other 2 primary hand signals which are the thumb for calling the dive at any time, for any reason and the ok, which is how you check with your team if they are stable and comfortable and to confirm other signals or goals.
Construction advancement foundation of northwest indiana, inc. If diving with strangers it is a good practice to agree on the signals you will use prior to the dive. When hand signals are used to direct the crane operator, osha requires that the standard method be used. The application has an intuitive layout and contains the following features. Aside from regular communications, you need to have your hand signals embedded in your mind in case of an emergency.
This is a test to test your knowledge on scuba diving. Join the thumb and index fingers to form a loop and extend the third, fourth, and fifth fingers. Among the most common diving hand signals and simple this dive signal means are you okay. I have just been going through the common hand signals used on here. We scuba divers cant talk underwater, yet communication is key for a number of reasons, including safety. This should be done when your gauge reads 500 psi or less. When a scuba diver signals they are running low on air, others must immediately prepare to share their air supply not just their buddy. Diver communications are the methods used by divers to communicate with each other or with surface members of the dive team.
Grantee materials by topic occupational safety and. Initial data and records page most used hands common scuba diving hand signals no compression tables meters and feet with examples and instructions complete professional log book will hold 100 dives with plenty of room for notes, rubberstamping, diagrams and all the information necessary to enjoy perfect. By andy zunz video by chris balogh posted aug 17th, 2017 at 5. Keep your arm away from your body so it is easy to see your hand. Hoistwith forearm vertical, forefinger pointing up, move hand in small horizontal circles. When giving hand signals, shine light at your hand so buddy can see it tricky if twohanded signal tuck torch under arm. When youre underwater there are times when you need to communicate with other divers. It will make your dives safer, more interesting, and of course, more fun.
Pdf scuba diving hand signals download ebook for free. May be followed by another signal indicating reason for stopping. The signal for 100 bar says the t signal is occasionally used. Diving tips hand signals blog diving tips hand signals one of the best things about scuba diving is that once you are underwater then no one can speak to you so you are left with lovely peace and quiet as you plod around trying to find fish. Common scuba diving and snorkeling hand signals dummies.
While there are a number of different hand signals, there are a few basics that you should be sure you have down before your first dive. Two divers who dont speak the same language topside can communicate fluently underwater. Scuba diving hand signals how you can look like a pro. While its essential to use the gestures exactly as youve. As approved by world recreational scuba training council. Although divers use many hand signals, the most common ones are, unsurprisingly, the most important. Had i been a new ow or uncomfortable diver, this hand signal misinterpretation could have been tragic and turned into panic diver or outofair situation quickly. The hand movements are simple and you should be able to perform them at any time. Whereas the padi material, and the images here, say to use the 50 bar signal twice. Divers exchange hand signals to give each other instructions, provide information on the dive, and indicate their condition.
Test your knowledge of scuba diving hand signals with this online quiz. In no particular order, here are some of the most common diving hand signals. Pdf scuba diving hand signals download full pdf book. This guide lists all the basic hand signals and it is a useful guide whether you are learning to dive or just revising if you are getting reacclamated with it. The signals employed by divers to increase the efficiency of their dives are natural signals, local signals and those created for special circumstances. These are the hand signals that are used by scuba divers to communicate with each other. Acknowledgments this book does not pretend to be a trailblazing epic of heretofore unheardof methods of underwatercave communication. Underwater hand signals unless one is well versed in the art of sign language, diving can be a very frustrating activity when a pair of scuba divers or more cant communicate. Scuba diving hand signals padi dive signals communication.
Safety training for workers in chemical, refinery, and construction industries. Thats why you need to learn the universal scuba diving hand signals. Many signals vary across the world and across diver training agencies. Communicating while technical diving scuba diver life. By andy zunz video by stevan llewellyn posted apr 7th, 2017 at 6.
This is considered important both for managing the diving work, and as a safety measure for monitoring the condition of the diver. Diving s nacd outstanding book, hand signals for diving, authored by claudette finley, jamie stone and carole vilece of the nacd handsignals standardization committee and with illustrations by carol vilece and cathy murray, has been the definitive work on cave diving hand signals. This is difficult without the use of your voice, and hand signals can get confusing unless everyone knows what they mean. But a good dive buddy also gives his or her fellow divers a headsup when an interesting ocean creature is nearby. One might ask their dive buddy if theyre okay, how much air they have, or signal a problem. It is important for buddy to confirm signal by repeating it as it is easy to misunderstand in dark. Is there a hand signal for approaching no deco limit. Scuba diving hand signals intends to support beginning recreational scuba divers in learning underwater communication via hand signals.
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