Some Hand signals used by scuba divers

Some Hand signals used by scuba divers .... usually used underwater!

I am cold! Hugging chest - Crossed arms in front of chest, upper arms grabbed by opposite hands.

I am out of breath! Hands indicate rising and falling chest.

I can't clear this ear: Pointing at the ear with forefinger.

Go that way: Fist with one hand, thumb extended and pointing in the direction indicated.

Go under, over or around: With palm down, hand motion used to indicate intended route to go under, over or around an obstacle.

Ascend, or I am going up: A fist is made with one hand, thumb extended upward, and hand is moved upward to emphasize direction of travel.

Descend, or I am going down: A fist is made with one hand, thumb extended downward, and hand is moved downward to emphasize direction of travel.

Something is wrong: An open hand with palm down and fingers apart is rocked back and forth on the axis of the forearm.

Are you OK? or I am OK! A circle is made with thumb and forefinger, extending the remaining fingers if possible. (The OK sign may be also be made without extending the fingers if wearing gloves).

Stop! Hand raised vertically with fingers together and palm facing the receiver.

Turn around: A forefinger extended vertically and rotated in a circular motion.

Which direction? A fist is make with one hand with extemded thumb and the hand rotated on the axis of the forearm through 180° a few times to ask which way to go.

Boat: Hands cupped together.

Buddy reference. Used alone: Get with your buddy: Fists made with both hands, forefingers extended, and hands placed together with forefingers parallel and in contact.

Hold on to each other - Maintain physical contact: Both hands clasped together.

Who will lead, who will follow: One hand pointed at the diver who will lead then positioned in front of the body, pointing forward, then other hand pointed to the diver who will follow and positioned behind the first, direction indicated with forefingers.

Level off at this depth: Flat hand with palm down and fingers spread moved slowly back and forth horizontally.

Take it easy, Relax or Slow down: Flat hand with palm down moved slowly up and down a few times.

Give me air now (emergency implied): pointing to the mouth with thumb and fingers together, moving hand back and forth a short distance.

I'm out of air: "Cutting" or "chopping" throat with a flat hand!

I don't know: Shrugging shoulders, arms bent, hands to each side, palms up

Danger in that direction: Clenched fist pushed/pointed in the direction of the perceived hazard.

How much air do you have left?: One hand held flat, palm up, while index and middle finger of the other hand are placed on the palm.

There is air leaking from your equipment: Index finger is brought down to thumb in repetitive motion. Size of movement indicates severity of leak.

Cut the line: A request to another diver to cut a line or net. Often used in case of entanglement where the diver making the signal can not reach the point where the line should be cut.

Safety stop: Signal is used to indicate that the diver intends to do a safety stop at that point.

Line, Line tangle or Cutting the line: The index finger is crossed with the middle finger to indicate line. If the hand is moved in a figure 8 it means a line tangle. Pointed down and rotated means a line tie off. In combination with the cutting signal it means cut the line.

Silt, or Silting: Palm and fingers down, thumb rubbed against the tips of the fingers

I have a cramp: Repeatedly clenching and un-clenching fist, and point at cramped area

I am on reserve or I am on bailout gas or I am low on gas: Clenched fist held steady, about level with head or chest, palm side usually forward

Time up - time to turn the dive and start heading back: Flat hand held roughly horizontal with tips of other flat hand's fingers touching the palm at right angles

Come and get me as soon as you can, but not an emergency: Signal to boat. Arm held straight up at the surface.

I see a hammerhead shark: Both fists against sides of head.

I see a lobster: Fist with index and middle finger pointed out horizontally and alternately waggling up and down.

I see an octopus: Back of hand or wrist covering mouth, all fingers pointing outward from mouth and wiggling.

I see a shark: Hand flat, fingers vertical, thumb against forehead or chest.

I see a turtle: Hands flat one on top of each other, palms down, waving thumbs up and down together.

Instructor signals:

You (all) watch me. (usually before demonstrating a skill): Point at diver(s) with forefinger, point at own eyes with forefinger and middle finger, point at own chest with forefinger.

You try that now, or do it again: Gesture with open hand palm up towards student after a demonstration of a skill.

And some surface signals!

I'm OK: Forming a large circle with both hands above the head.

I'm OK: Touching or tapping the top of the head with elbow extended sideways.

Emergency! Help me now: Waving one or both arms in a wide arc.