Learning Scuba Diving Hand Signals is important for communicating intention and giving directions. More importantly, it ensures safety, making it easy to ask for help from your diving buddy. It is a method of communication that can be universally understood by trained divers.
Something the matter
This one is important because it is used to let your dive buddy or guide know that something’s wrong. To use this signal, put your hand out horizontally in front of you and tilt it side-to-side, (much as you would signal that something was “so-so” on land) then point to where you’re experiencing difficulty. You could be struggling to equalize your ears, or you may have a problem with your dive gear. This signal could mean a problem with anything. Inform your buddy quickly if something is wrong, so that you can either fix it or end the dive safely.
Mask into the water
Water enters your mask, drain it
Need help, rescue
Assist in returning to the surface
Mask fog
The mask can’t be seen clearly, clean it up quickly
Choking, unable to breathe
Can’t breathe, help me
Clonus
My feet are pumping, help me soon
Rupture, damage
Something broke
Air leakage
Your gas is leaking, check it out
Feel decompression symptoms
Somewhat uncomfortable, decompression symptoms, let’s go back
Lock
You have something stuck, don’t panic, I’ll help you
Discomfort \ Uncomfortable
I’m not feeling well, let’s go back
Panic
Too scared to know what to do
Miss one’s way
Lost and don’t know how to go
Dyspnea / shortness of breath
Can’t breathe, breathing is difficult, help me
Throw up
Somewhat uncomfortable and want to vomit
Out of air
The “out of air” signal is taught to all open water course and experience course students so that they know how to react in the unlikely event of an out-of-air emergency. The chances of an out-of-air emergency when scuba diving are extremely low when proper pre-dive checks and diving procedures are observed.
To make this signal, move a flat hand across your throat in a slicing motion to indicate that the air supply is cut off. This signal requires an immediate response from the diver’s buddy, who should allow the out-of-air diver to breathe from his alternate air-source regulator while the two divers ascend together.
Insufficient weight
Need to adjust your weight
Tingling / Captivity
Something seems to pierce me, help me quickly
Overweight
Your counterweight is too heavy, you sink like a stone, lighten up a bit
Pain
I’m very uncomfortable and painful
OR
In sum, learning the scuba hand signals is important for anyone who is training to dive. The signals have universal meanings, so you can be sure that you will be understood by anyone under the water, provided that you do it correctly.
Disclaimer: This article was compiled by sportiveiver.com by Divehot
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