Hand Signals During Scuba

Identification

• Scuba divers use hand signals instead of finger motions to communicate to other divers while under water. Scuba hand signals tend to be similar to hand motions used on land, to reduce the time and effort needed to learn them. Most hand signals ask a question and require the same signal to indicate a response. To ensure scuba safety, divers often review hand motions and their meanings before diving.

Directional Signals

• Common hand signals for scuba diving tell which direction the diver needs to go. For example, a fist with a thumb downward means I'm going down or take me down into the water. A fist with a thumb upward means I'm going up or bring me up out of the water. These hand signals may be followed by a raised vertical hand indicating to the receiver to stop lifting or lowering a diver.

OK Signals

• "Are you OK" hand signals may be used to check on the status of a diver in the water. This motion can be done with or without diving mittens. For instance, divers can signal their OK status when not wearing gloves by making a circle with their forefinger and thumb and extending three fingers. When divers need to signal OK from a distance, they extend both arms over their head and touch fingertips.

Distress Signals

• Distress signals tell when a scuba diver is in trouble. To signal something is wrong, a diver places his hand palm down and fingers apart. The diver then tilts his hand back and forth. A quick hand wave horizontally over the diver's head signals that help is needed. In addition, a diver may need to motion that air is running low. To do so, you clinch a fist and move it back and forth towards the chest. Divers signal that air is gone from their oxygen tanks by moving a flat hand across the throat in a repeated fashion.