Here Are Some Essential Scuba Diving Hand Signals Every Diver Should Know:
OK
Description: Form a circle with your thumb and index finger while extending the other three fingers.
Usage: To indicate that everything is fine and there are no issues.
Problem / Something Wrong
Description: Flatten and extend your hand and then tilt / rotate it back and forth.
Usage: To signal that there is a problem or something is wrong.
Go Down / Descend
Description: Point your thumb downwards.
Usage: To indicate that you or the group should descend.
Ears Not Clearing
Description: Point at ear and signal a problem Replies May be Pinch your nose and or tug on your earlobe.
Usage: To indicate difficulty in equalizing ear pressure.
Stop
Description: Hold up an open hand with the palm facing outwards.
Usage: To signal to stop immediately.
Which Way?
Description: Hold a hand out, making a fist with your thumb out, and tilt it back and forth.
Usage: To ask which direction to go.
You Lead
Description: Point your index towards towards your other hand also making a pointing motion
Usage: To indicate that the other diver should lead and you will follow.
Come Here
Description: Extend your arm and motion towards yourself with your fingers.
Usage: To signal someone to move towards / come closer to you
Buddy Up / Get with Your Dive Buddy
Description: Hold your two index fingers together side by side.
Usage: To indicate to pair up / move closer to your assigned dive buddy
Low Air
Description: Place a clenched fist against your chest.
Usage: To signal that you have reached the agreed reserve gas supply and are now running low on air.
Out of Air
Description: Move your hand across your throat.
Usage: To indicate that you are out of air.
Look / Watch Me
Description: Point two fingers at your eyes, then at the object or yourself.
Usage: To get someone’s attention to look at something or watch you.
Hold Hands
Description: Clench your hands togeather
Usage: To indicate holding hands for safety or support.
Boat
Description: Cup your hand together mimicing the shape of a boat with your hands.
Usage: To indicate the direction or location of a / the boat.
Go Up / End Dive
Description: Point your thumb upwards.
Usage: To signal to ascend or end the dive.
Here Are 6 Marine Life Animal Hand Signals Every Diver Should Know:
In addition to basic communication signals, divers use specific hand signals to identify marine life. Here are some common ones:
Shark Signal
Description: Hold the side of your hand against your forehead.
Blue-Spotted Ray Signal
Description: With one hand palm down Tap random points on the back of your other hand.
Sea Turtle Signal
Description: Place one hand on top of the other and rotate your thumbs.
Octopus Signal
Description: Hold your own wrist and wiggle your free hands downturned fingers like tentacles
Nudibranch Signal
Description: Create a “v” shape with your fingers and wiggle the ends to simulate the Sea Slugs Rhinopores (“eyes”)
