Hand Signs

Underwater communication is often limited to hand signs. Some divers also use slates or wet notes to write messages or record notes to themselves.

To confirm that you have understood a hand sign, repeat it back to the sender. This is called close loop communication. For example if one diver signs "I have 2,300 PSI" by signing a 2 followed by a 3, the diver's buddy can respond with the same signs: a 2 followed by a 3 to confirm they received the message and understood. If instead the buddy responds with a sign like "OK" it is not clear they saw or understood the sign.

OK

This is used as both a question and answer. "Are you OK?" "Yes, I am OK"

Something is wrong

Follow this sign by pointing to what is wrong - such as a piece of equipment or an ear you cannot equalize.

One (1)

Two (2)

Three (3)

Four (4)

Five (5)

Six (6)

Seven (7)

Eight (8)

Nine (9)

Zero (0)

Ascend

This is used to signal you want to end or "thumb" the dive and start your final ascent to the surface. It does not mean things are awesome! For ascending a little bit (and continuing the dive) you can follow this sign by "a little bit" or better yet, use the ascend to a higher depth sign.

Descend

Go right, Go left

Go this way

Which way?

Use compass

This sign can be used to indicate you want someone to use a compass, or you are asking which compass direction you should go.

Hover

We hover when we are neutrally buoyant - neither rising nor falling in the water column. This is a skill you will practice in a scuba class, but it is also how we should always dive. If someone asks you to hover, they are asking you to add or remove gas from your BC, drysuit, and lungs until you can float like a fish - neither sinking nor falling.

Stop

Wait a minute

Slow down

Buddy up

Use this to indicate someone should re-unite with their buddy, or move closer to their buddy.

Deflate your BCD

This means you should use the deflator button, usually at the very top of your BCD hose, to let some gas out. This sign is often given to help arrest an ascent if you are becoming too buoyant.

Vent your drysuit

This sign indicates you should roll your body, or anle upwards so your left shoulder vent is the highest point which will allow it to vent gas. This sign is often given to help arrest an ascent if you are becoming too buoyant.

Vent your lungs

This sign can be used to remind you to breathe out - often to help arrest an ascent if you are becoming too buoyant. Breathing out deeply is ofte the fastest way to correct your buoyancy if you become too floaty. After you breathe out, then you have time to adjust your BC and/or drysuit.

Inflate your BC hose

If you are too negative, you may be asked to add a puff of air to your BC or wing by pressing the power inflate button. Usually that button is lower on the BC.

Inflate your drysuit

Deflate your BC hip dump

If you are horizontal, slightly head down, or head down, the best way to vent air from your BC may be to use your hip dump since air will rise. Venting from your hose will not work if your rear end is higher than your shoulders.

Picture

"I'm going to take a picture" or "Please take a picture".

Boat

Gas pressure

"What is your cylinder gas pressure?" "My gas pressure is....."

Level off

Level off and stop and this depth.

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