Scuba Geek

Scuba Diving Hand Signals Standardised, or maybe not March 10, 2006

Posted by Andy Carroll in : general , trackback

The World Recreational Scuba Diving Council have released a document which aims to standardise the hand signals used by scuba divers. The standards were developed by a working party consisting of YScuba, PADI, SSI, SDI, IDEA, and PDIC.

The document is available for download here.

Whilst there are no surprises there are a few differences I noted from the signals I normally use, particularly the ’stop’ sign, which the WRSDC recommend a hand raised vertically, fingers together, palm facing the receiver of the sign. Now I always use the closed fist, which is similar to the ‘hold’ sign used in the military, and the signal they recommend for hold, actually means the number ‘5′ so this is a little confusing. How do you signal the number ‘5′ for a deco stop?

In fact there are no signals for numbers, which is a strange omission, given that they are useful for signalling time, depth, and gas levels. Maybe its only for recreational divers and there will be another standard for deco divers or something.