Diver communications
Diving signs are gestures or other, mostly non-verbal signs of communication between divers underwater. The knowledge of basic diving characters belonging to each dive training to inform, for example, his buddy, if something is not in order. Diving characters can be understood both as an invitation or as a question. In general, the partners expect to his signal a response or confirmation. 31 diving characters are standardized internationally. However, there are a total of over 160 different dive characters that can vary slightly even, why not infrequently to-use hand signals to be agreed at the briefing before the dive.
Show of hands
Although sound can move well in the water, an agreement under water by means of the human voice without electronic communication systems is limited. However, electronic or building on ultrasound systems require sophisticated and expensive diving equipment such as a full face mask or diving helmet. Most divers, scuba divers in particular, have no training on such equipment and therefore their communication of diving characters depends.
In order to communicate with immersion characters, the buddy must view. In order to gain the attention of the dive buddy, for example, can " on - the-shoulder tapped " or a typical sound can be made , such as with a metal object to knock on the compressed air bottle or beating his fist into the palm of your hand. It even simple devices are available that allow under water a typical, well audible noise can be generated: the Tank Banger, a plastic ball that is attached with a sturdy rubber band to the bottle, and the Shakers, a can of metal, the small pieces of metal contains and is shaken.
At the water surface Speaking is the obvious way to communicate and diving signs are difficult to detect even at medium range. However, to speak of the regulator or snorkel must be taken out of the mouth and the distance in which you can provide a diver at the surface just in waves is very limited, which makes surface type is required.
Normalized diving sign
In December 2005, the WRSTC standardized (World Recreational Scuba Training Council ) in all major diving organizations are merged, 31 hands, which should be mastered by every diver after finishing the basic diving training. All diving organizations and the international standard ISO 24801-2 have now taken over this 31 divers sign for the basic scuba training:
- I'm running out of air: Swing A fist several times in the chest. ( a warning )
- Come here: Swing the upward hand with pointed fingers folded several times towards the chest.
- Under it, over it or around it: Move the palm of the hand, thumb under the palm away from you to indicate the intended direction of dipping.
Go to bottom! or I go down.
Go to the Top! or I 'm going upstairs.
Are you OK? or I am OK!
OK signal with thick gloves.
I'm OK! visible on the surface, from a great distance.
I'm OK! at the surface with one hand, at high distance visible.
Something is not right or I have a problem A warning sign.
I need help! or an emergency! An emergency sign which should be reason never used.
I have no more air! An emergency sign which should be reason never used.
Now give me air! An emergency sign which should be reason never used.
Dangerous in this direction. A warning sign.
Look there!
Keep Diving depth constant!
Invert!
In which direction?
I'm cold.
Relax! or Slow down! or Calm down!
Holding each other hands.
Go out with your buddy!
You lead and you follow him / her!
I do not know.
Boat or ship
Think! or Remember!
Can not restore the pressure balance in the ear.
Danger! A warning sign.
Wave with one or both hands or arms means "I need help! " or " An emergency! " Therefore, divers should never wave a greeting! Nor is it sensible to wave from land or boat from a diver. Better to use to welcome the surface character for "I'm OK! ' ".
Non-standard diving sign
The following dive characters are not standardized and therefore can vary, depending on the diving organization, language, and region of the world. In addition, a variety of non-standard characters are used that are available for certain underwater creatures.
Diving
Pay
At the latest when the question of the still available air ratios are necessary.
The digits 1 to 9 are not uniform in diving organizations. However, this is not a problem, because digits are related mostly self explanatory.
Creature
For a variety of underwater creatures numerals are used but which are not standardized. It is therefore advisable to shop around for the most common characters before diving in expert local divers - and thus also the most remarkable animals - to inquire and match them with a buddy.
Light Signs
When night diving hand signals may affect improperly or not be recognized. Diving characters are then added by means of a dive light. The character is usually drawn on the ground in front of the buddy. In order not to hide the buddy is not shone directly into his eyes. His attention may be energized by illuminates his hand.
Attention! or Note me!
All other dive characters can be displayed by the shine on the own hand.
Leash sign
In the case of poor visibility both buddy are connected to a leash; ice diving the leash is led up to the surface. The signals are then transmitted by means of pulling the rope.
- A train: OK / OK?
- Two trains: Stop
- Three traits: dive
- Four Trains: emergence
- Continuous Pull: Emergency! Emergence to the surface! or Take me to the surface!
See also: rescue diving at the leash sign
Other communications facilities
Other possible means of communication under water are: