Apr 01, 2018 underwater hand signals are an integral part of any divers certification and a great way to communicate basic messages. 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. Minimum course standard for scuba instructor training. This website intends to support beginning recreational scuba divers in learning underwater communication via hand signals. To formally standardize the most common hand signals used during recreational scuba diving. Standardized hand signals for remaining air scubaboard. Equipment safe diving requires that you know how to check, use, and. Effective underwater communication is necessary for the safe and efficient conduct of any recreational or trainingrelated scuba dive. Scuba divers use several hand signals that are not used for skin diving.
Communicate privately with other divers from around the world. Underwater communication pocket companion for recreational scuba divers, by lars behnke is among the valuable worth that will make you consistently abundant. 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. The contents of your kit may even change from dive to dive, such as if you o decide to try night diving or travel to a new dive site. Your instructor actually went over hand signals in his predive check or you would not have known what he was doing either. When a scuba diver signals they are running low on air, others must immediately prepare to share their air supply. Photos of common hand signals used by recreational divers.
Technical diving has some tools in its communications toolbox that openwater divers may find useful. Communicating while technical diving scuba diver life. Since 2000, scubaboard has been the place to go for internet based discussions related to all things scuba. Did you know there are hand signals for wreck diving, too. Scuba diver underwater hand signals instructional videos. As approved by world recreational scuba training council. Proficiency in underwater communication is not only a vital part of scuba diving training, it also makes diving a much more enjoyable and safer experience. Scuba diving magazine hand signals scuba divers should. Underwater communication pocket companion for recreational scuba divers, by lars behnke.
The scuba bsa program was created and implemented with. Scuba hand signals are essential in your training as a diver because this lets you communicate underwater. The most convenient and reliable method of communication between divers is through the use of simple hand signals. Hand raised vertically with fingers together and palm facing the receiver. Participate in over 500 dive topic forums and browse from over 5,500,000 posts. Padi hand signals pdf to formally standardize the most common hand signals used during recreational scuba diving. Minimum course standard for instructor trainer training. General scuba tips pdf read up on different entry and exit methods, as well as planning tips for shore dives, night diving, and kelp diving. Pdf scuba diving hand signals download ebook for free. Scuba diving hand signals padi dive signals communication.
Keep reading to find out how to show your codivers youre okay when youre underwater. Remember to display hand signals clearly and deliberately and also to acknowledge the hand. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver, knowing the different hand gestures is. The signals specific to scuba diving relate to air supply. Scuba diving hand signals intends to support beginning recreational scuba divers in learning underwater communication via hand signals.
This should be done when your gauge reads 500 psi or less. Pdf scuba diving hand signals download full pdf book. If diving with strangers it is a good practice to agree on the signals you will use prior to the dive. A fist is made with one hand, thumb extended upward, and hand is moved upward. 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. Your saveadive kit can also be as simple or as complex as you choose. Make sure your underwater dive experience is fun and safe by learning the basic hand signals used in scuba diving and snorkeling and going through an equipment and procedure safety check before your dive with your scuba diving buddy.
Scuba diving magazine hand signals scuba divers should know. If theres one aspect of night diving that is more complicated than day diving, its communication. More than 240 commonly used gestures are illustrated and grouped into eight categories. Scuba diving the donoharm way in a previous article 10 things not to. Scuba signals brush up on common scuba hand signals and their meanings. Two divers who dont speak the same language topside can communicate fluently underwater. Divings 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 cavediving hand signals. Your instructor will teach you these as part of the scuba bsa program. The hand signal for low air is to hold a clenched fist over the center of the chest. Photos of the signals are included to serve as a learning aid. Apr 05, 2019 underwater hand signals are the secret language of divers. Apr 10, 2017 communication is key for safe scuba diving, but with a reg in your mouth, its hard to clearly convey a message to your buddy. Scuba diving hand signals for identifying marine life by andy zunz video by chris balogh posted aug 17th, 2017 at 5.
If you do not agree on hand signals before a dive then you are diving deaf and dumb. These hand signals provide the following information. Join the thumb and index fingers to form a loop and extend the third. Scuba videos view a series of video presentations detailing basic elements of scuba diving. If you like this site, consider buying scuba diving hand signals as paperback book or app for iphone and ipad. Always consult with a qualified scuba professional before using any of the material. Nail the basics, and then you can get creative when it comes to all the ways to communicate underwater. Diving signals hand signals ascend, or i am going up. The most convenient and reliable method of communication between divers. The following are scuba diving manuals and tables for both recreational and professional divers. Reach out a flat hand with the palm facing down above your other hand and with the other, indicate ascend. Going up to reach the level for the required safety stop. Youll get the hand signals presented here and many, many more. Scuba diving takes knowledge of basic skills and techniques before you attempt that first dive or a first dive after a long time.
It is therefore important that you learn the standard hand signals used by scuba divers. The idea of having dive slates with simple, key and important hand signals seems like a great idea. Pdf scuba diving hand signals download full pdf book download. Scuba diving hand signals underwater communication for. Equipment safe diving requires that you know how to check, use, and maintain special equipment. Once at the level for the safety stop use the same signal and the number of minutes you need to stay at that depth using. Scuba diving hand signals padi the most common scuba hand signals are shown on the picture chart below.
Underwater hand signals are the secret language of divers. Learn and use the standard hand signals shown below. A fist is made with one hand, thumb extended downward, and hand is moved downward. This was the first time i had seen hand signals in flashes of five, so i didnt understand why he didnt interpret it correctly. When youre scuba diving with friends and you need to communicate underwater, knowing these 20 common scuba diving hand signals can really come in handy and, more importantly, keep you safe. This is an excerpt from scuba diving 5th edition by dennis graver.
Try to take just a little more than half a breath, and be sure your snorkel is above the water surface before clearing and breathing again. Many signals vary across the world and across diver training agencies. But with the second stage of a regulator in your mouth, its hard to clearly convey a message to your buddy. Communication is key for safe scuba diving, but with a reg in your mouth, its hard to clearly convey a message to your buddy. This list details skills that dive students learn during scuba diving classes and open water certification. Member agencies of the recreational scuba training council rstc in the united states have recognised a standardised set of hand signals intended for universal use, which are taught to diving students early in their entry level diving courses. Needless to say, a lot of recommendations werent followed, and we should have ensured we had the same hand signals, but fortunately im a very comfortable diver albeit new. Hand signals recreational divers do not usually have access to voice communication equipment, and it does not generally work with a standard scuba. Once you get good at them, you can have entire conversations underwater. Photos of the signals are included in this pamphlet as a learning aid. Diving and breathing when diving during snorkeling try to avoid taking full breathes before descending as the buoyancy from the breath makes diving much harder.
Buddy checks are important as it is easy to miss things at night. While divers around the world may have their own take on many signals, here are some of the most common ways to communicate underwater. Reviewing common diving hand signals is always a good idea, and knowing how to properly execute them makes for safer, more enjoyable dives for everyone. It is important for buddy to confirm signal by repeating it as it is easy to misunderstand in dark. Check out these 27 common scuba diving hand signals every diver should know and use. All scuba diving signals are of importance but when safety is involved they are a must to learn. But communicating while technical diving might require more than basic hand or even torch signals. Scuba divers seldom have the special equipment needed to speak to one another while underwater. One is to shine the light on your hands so your buddy can see what youre saying. These are just the most common hand signals for diving, but divers use many others. Underwater hand signals are an integral part of any divers certification and a great way to communicate basic messages. When giving hand signals, shine light at your hand so buddy can see it tricky if twohanded signal tuck torch under arm.
The firsthand signal that most scuba divers learn is the ok hand signal. This is an excerpt from scuba diving5th edition by dennis graver. Your dive safety association giantstride scuba diving and. Common scuba diving and snorkeling hand signals dummies.