Scuba Diving Hand Signals (PADI)

[@CircleHScuba]

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[@MetallicReg]

We used completely other hand signals for gas all over Europe. We always use the turn-pressure sign (defined as 100bar, "T" timeout) and then count in 50bar increments (✊) and after that in 10bar increments (☝). So in the case of a freshly filled tank with 220bar : "T"+✊+✊+✌ In case of 160bar: "T"+✊+☝ In case of 70bar: ✊+✌ And so on. Really fast and easy to see under bad conditions.

[@CircleHScuba]

Right I’ve had some other comments about counting in bar. I haven’t had to do that, but I’ve heard this fist for 50 for example. I heard some people just put 1-6-0 with two hands and using 1 finger, 6 fingers, then a fist. I think it’s just important to make sure you are all on the same page before you dive

[@8bit_George]

I always did 200 bar as two Ts, so 220 would be “T”+”T”+”✌️

[@MetallicReg]

@@8bit_George I have seen that too, but I agree with my former teacher that you should reserve the T-sign just for the first 100. The reason is, that the other person oftentimes just needs to know how far away you are from the return pressure. And if you use that sign several times, it can be sometimes misunderstood if you started to count/show again from the beginning. (In most cases it isn’t an issue since those 2xT could only be in the very start of the dive anyway. The idea behind showing bigger gestures instead of numbers, is just for the sake of easy visibility under all conditions.)

[@8bit_George]

@@MetallicReg out of curiosity what agency did you learn with? I am certified with Dive raid

[@MetallicReg]

@@8bit_George I had a slow start back in the day and actually learned with PADI, SSI and later CMAS. I like SSI for the regular training and CMAS for advanced.

[@testdasi]

For countries that use bar instead of psi, the half tank (T) sign can be used interchangeably with 100 and a close fist means 50. So to signal 170, I would do T and then a close fist on 1 hand + 2 fingers on the other. Nobody cares about the last digit (and therefore we never have to signal zero, which is why close fist can mean 50). We were taught that a 1-finger can be hard to see from far away so unless we can only signal with one hand, otherwise do a T for 100. Also 50 bar of air is low so a close fist around the chest is conveniently has the same meaning as "50 around here" i.e. low on air. But for that same reason, I prefer to use a 5-finger for 50 instead of close fist to reserve the close fist for real issues but that's just me.

[@CircleHScuba]

Someone else told me about this in the comments a month or so ago, I hadn’t seen that otherwise. Very good to know and another reason to always ask people how they do their signals if you’re diving with a new group

[@hidehide-d3g]

I always confused about the hand signal every dive season. Because there is seldom time that live on the ground. But as you, it builds in your muscle memories.! for me, unbelievable!

[@CircleHScuba]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video! I think it’s something that you practice and learn, and before you dive next season watch the video again as a refresher

[@Yggdrasil42]

You're almost correct about the technical signals, like deco. It's the pinky straight up, palm facing buddy (so don't bend the finger). Followed by the one-handed number of minutes. If the deco stop needs to be performed at a different depth, then first signal the depth (one-handed), then the pinky to signify time, then the time in minutes. The pinky can be used as a general sign for time, so the context makes it clear when it's for deco. If you need to ask your buddy how much deco they have left, prefix it with the question sign. So, a bent index finger (looks like a question mark), then the pinky. All signals need to be performed one-handed, because your other hand is likely needed for something else such as aiming a light at the signing hand or working a scooter. So we have variations of most of the two handed signals you showed. Also important in tech diving is to repeat whatever your buddy signs, to show you understand it. After all, narcosis and task loading are real. So, repeat unless you disagree.

[@CircleHScuba]

This is awesome, thank you for the extra insight! I’m not a tech diver (yet!) so I hesitated to even through the deco one in there, but I’ve seen recreational divers use it for NDL checks on deeper dives so I wanted to mention it. I’ll have to make an update to the video some day once I’m tech trained and have some experience in tech diving to do tech diver signals haha. Thanks again!

[@secondarymetabolite5050]

Thanks! Going on my first dive in a while tomorrow and though I hadn't forgotten the signs this was a great refresher.

[@CircleHScuba]

Oh great! Have a good dive!!

[@heatherwood9835]

Thank you for giving air pressure with the numbers simply held in front of you (like a 2 and a 1 for 2100) instead of doing the two on your arm and then the 1 out in front of you. I've never understood this as it seems harder to see.

[@CircleHScuba]

I never loved the arm thousands thing either haha.

[@icupid69]

The "T" sign for "half a tank" you say is used for number 100 here in Italy. Also closed fist with palm towards observer is 50. Then raising fingers from that closed fist raises the number to 60, 70, 80, 90. A yes this mean you show 60 with your index finger pointing up the same way it does in "Attention!" .

[@CircleHScuba]

Ah that’s great to know! I assume that’s because 100 bar is half a tank, so the “half tank” is the same symbol. Interesting on the 50-90 though! Thanks for sharing

[@MetallicReg]

@@CircleHScuba Tanks can be filled a bit more or less - but the T is just defined as 100 for everybody.

[@CircleHScuba]

Right I mean a high pressure steel is going to be a little more, so that makes sense

[@mellamodiego8458]

i recently did a ndl dive in Rangiroa Tahiti actually quite a few and i had to go over with the dm what the hand signals would be....its important to know how to communicate how long till you reach ndl....so maybe im at 3 minutes till i reach ndl...or if you have reached ndl how much ndl you have and what depths you must do them at. it was also fun because i didnt speak a lick of french but we sorted it out.

[@CircleHScuba]

Absolutely important, especially for Tec dives. Language barriers make it even more fun haha.

[@kurbashy]

Thanks from Russia Cool Just like diving now.

[@CircleHScuba]

Glad you found it useful!

[@bornaluckyman1]

Really clear video.. enjoyed this thank you

[@CircleHScuba]

Glad you enjoyed!! Thanks!

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

Funny thing about some divers is that whenever there is a sign from the guide or instructor they’re not quite sure of - they default to checking their gauges and reporting back, because it’s a common demand, which means that for the next 5 to 20 seconds you have no contact with them and they turn mostly unaware of anything in their surroundings which the communication might have been about … a classic sign from the course that more or less everyone seem to forget and quite often mistake for a question about their air supply is the sign for “current”, which, unfortunately is usually not used at a moment when it benefits everyone to be obliviously buried in their gauges … understandable perhaps seeing as many people have not been trained or have experience with environments with much or any current, but that only puts them more at risk when it’s there and being brought to their attention and they don’t get it ….

[@CircleHScuba]

Yeah I’ve struggled trying to tell people “current, get down to the reef” as in like, tuck in and shelter yourself a bit as we swim into it or across it.

[@finnvantrot1120]

Hey man, I just wanted to thank you for your content! Just found you a few days ago. It's been a while since I've been diving because auf Covid and other things. In two weeks I'm gonna go back into the water. I'll be doing a skills update course, of course, but your videos help me a lot to refresh my memory and prepare for going back in. I still have the learning materials of both of my courses, but this is much more fun. Thanks for the effort, that's very much appreciated!!!

[@CircleHScuba]

Well hey thank you for the compliments! Glad you’re able to get back to diving and even happier to hear you’re doing the right thing in reviewing material, videos like this, and looking at a refresher course. I actually just filmed all the skills they go over in refresher courses last weekend and hope to start posting them as individual videos here in the next few weeks (I post one video per week right now as I can’t edit faster than that haha). I’ll eventually do a combined “refresher” video that shows everything in a long video for people that want to hear me talk that long 🤣 Let me know how your course goes! If you have any questions, drop them here! It gives me inspiration for videos to make and I can answer what I can here too

[@finnvantrot1120]

@CircleHScuba That's so nice of you, thanks for the quick response :) I'll let you know if anything comes up! The first issue I had already was the purchase of my dive computer a few days ago. I always rented one at the Scuba bases, but of course it's better to have your own.. bought the Aqualung i330r and it makes a good impression (intuitive buttons, great display, well organized), but every time I try to update the firmware, it fails.. bummer. And - the technical support of Aqualung hasn't been very helpful so far.. So, a video about dive computers in general would be interesting (what to look for as a beginner, maybe even some comparisons). There're some videos like that, but I think your perspective could be interesting for divers who are looking for the right gear..

[@CircleHScuba]

Love that idea and I’m capturing it now. The i330 is actually what we use in my shop’s rental fleet so I’m familiar with it but I honestly haven’t had to update firmware on one yet since it’s not my personal computer and the shop staff usually does the maintenance (I’m just an instructor haha). I think an overview of computers maybe grouped by price point could be great too!

[@CircleHScuba]

What error message are you seeing?

[@finnvantrot1120]

@CircleHScuba The computer is still on v. 1.004 and according to the app, there is already a v. 1.007 (at least not the faulty 1.003 from last year). Every time I try to update (it shows me that there is 1.007 available) it suddenly says "Firmware not found." 💁‍♂️ My guess is it's an issue with the diverlog+ App which got a new update last week, but Aqualung tells me to send in the computer (however, it's the app that can't access the new firmware). I'm not really keen on that as I'm leaving for my dive holiday in 12 days...

[@souswes]

Which way is a super useful one. Too many time you’ll both just look at eachother with blank stares waiting for the other to take lead. I’m a fan of knife handing my wrist and then rotating it like a compass may do to indicate I’m asking for a heading. Another useful and easy one is “have you completed your stop?” Just pointing at the computer and dusting it off….. ahhh you’re good. Next video segment was exactly the clear stop signal. Good stuff buddy

[@CircleHScuba]

Haha thanks!!! The compass heading idea is great, and yes! Brushing off my dive computer when I’m done with my safety stop I’d what I like to do too. Thanks again for stopping in to comment! Always appreciate you leaving feedback.

[@CircleHScuba]

Hope you’ve been well friend! I believe you’ve said you’d be traveling. Hope it’s enjoyable!

[@souswes]

@@CircleHScubayeah brother! We moved states so I’ve been adjusting to diving in saltwater and putting my divemaster cert to good use 😂 always keeping an eye out for new vids!

[@CircleHScuba]

@souswes that’s amazing!!!! Congrats! Hope it all went well! I’m jealous. I want to be closer to the coast. I’m about 3 hours from the NC coast but then it’s all charters, no real shore diving. If I lived out there it would be better haha. Maybe some day I’ll end up in Florida or something 😅 Always appreciate you dropping by the videos. I don’t think I saw you on the last few so I figured I’d check in and see how you were haha.

[@souswes]

@@CircleHScuba I hit that like button. I think the last few you just covered so throughly I had nothing to really contribute to a conversation 🤣 keep it up man.

[@WordizbonDon]

Had to watch this for my dive this weekend in Cancun!!

[@CircleHScuba]

Wooo Cancun!!!!! Have fun!! The whole Yucatán has a lot of great diving from Cancun to Tulum and across to Cozumel. Enjoy! Share it with your dive buddies on the trip too!

[@WordizbonDon]

Thanks!@@CircleHScuba

[@besearchingforwisdom6267]

While I'm a bit of a maverick, I do have an interest in what is going on in the industry, primarily equipment, but communication skills are important too, though I prefer to limit our dialogue to whatever's needed to get the job done. You have some good ideas including the ASL one, keep it up, that's why I'm here

[@CircleHScuba]

Thanks! Yeah, I like the semi-silence of diving but it is important to talk to your team/buddy with certain things. Good to see you again!

[@besearchingforwisdom6267]

@@CircleHScuba Thanks, I'll be looking at more of your videos... There is a condition called "information overload", and it can make your trainee almost useless and make mistakes, and those mistakes are ultimately my responsibility

[@omaryasser5042]

Hi Im a commercial diver and I'm 19 . Can i take your advice 😊

[@CircleHScuba]

I don’t know if commercial divers use the same hand signals to be honest, but I imagine there are some similarities.

[@nysch00]

Something off topic: how can you dive with the beard? I have to shave my moustache because when I dive or snorkel with it, water always comes in very slowly. I can also drain the water well again, that is no problem, but It also always tingles so unpleasantly with does hairs 😅

[@CircleHScuba]

Luckily for me the beard doesn’t go under the mask skirt so the worse I get is a tiny bit of water in the nose cup. They make a grease you can use that can help seal the mask, but you can also try trimming just the part that is under the mask skirt. I’m probably going to make a video on beards and masks because I’ve had quite a few comments about it on various videos haha.

[@simon-rl5lt]

Vaseline works for me, paired with beard softener applied in the morning of the dive

[@CircleHScuba]

Great idea

[@peterkoncz]

Is there a hand signal for “I don’t understand, please repeat signal “?

[@CircleHScuba]

Honestly we usually just use a shrug like 🤷‍♂️

[@thx1138tab]

Great video

[@CircleHScuba]

Thank you!

[@worravutphadungphan3297]

Very Good

[@CircleHScuba]

Thanks so much, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@RuvimAbaras]

Thank you!

[@CircleHScuba]

You’re welcome!!

[@DF-cl5bm]

It's so unfortunate that Americans persist with the imperial system. I find communicating pressure in Bar so much simpler than using psi, mainly because the 10 bar units can be communicated much more easily with the fingers than the 1000, 100 and 10 psi intervals of the Imperial system. Why make things more complex?

[@CircleHScuba]

I hear you, though rule of thirds is easier with 3000 psi haha. Imperial is janky

[@MysticalDragon73]

Sorry we like our freedom measurements tyvm.

[@DF-cl5bm]

@@MysticalDragon73 By all means, enjoy your "freedom" to do things in a more complex way, whilst the rest of the world does it more simply.

[@MysticalDragon73]

@DF-cl5bm it's not more simple We are a very large country, larger lan most European countries combined. We will keep using our simple system and have no use for metrics.

[@DF-cl5bm]

@@MysticalDragon73 In what way is it not simple? What has the size of the country got to do with it?

[@cowboymcq6711]

Great refresher video bro for some of us who don’t dive everyday And I’m the 69th comment SWEET ♋️🤣

[@CircleHScuba]

No problem! That’s what I was hoping for with these types of videos haha.

[@bharathnambiar4769]

Am an obese person. Is diving a risk? But I can swim very well.

[@CircleHScuba]

Diving can be done by people of all sorts of ages and shapes and sizes. To take a class you need a medical waiver signed, so talk to your primary doctor about it and make sure you’re cleared, but being overweight wouldn’t normally be a problem imo if there’s no other medical things going on.

[@Divewith.G.M_Official_Channel]

Or you can just use the writing thing were you can right with it and then just smudge it with your hand and then it will erase it and you can actually a conversation to them by actually riding on a little slate were you can actually tell them something but the hand signals are meant for something else like communicating to them if you are cold or you're out of air stuff like that you know what I mean😊

[@Divewith.G.M_Official_Channel]

You know you can actually breathe in the pool right because it looks like you're just holding your breath and that's making me a little nervous😅 you know what I'm saying because you're not supposed to hold your breath underwater. But I guess you're breaths are a little bit different than mine and that's okay😊

[@CircleHScuba]

That was the whole point of the video, to communicate with hand signals haha. Most people aren’t writing things down all the time. I do mention slates too though in the video 👍😎

[@CircleHScuba]

I’m an instructor, I know you can breathe haha. It’s a video where I’ve edited clips, and bubbles in my face makes it difficult to see on camera what signals I’m doing. I appreciate the concern, but yes, I know I can breathe haha. You shouldn’t hold your breathe and change elevation because of risk of lung over expansions and other injuries, you’re right 🤿🤙

[@CircleHScuba]

By the way, I think you’ve watched almost every video I’ve ever posted now and commented in the last few days. I just wanted to say thanks for being such a fan! I hope the videos are helpful!! I appreciate your support

[@provuksmc6619]

This thumbs up problem has been tackled by gue quite well. They use a finger gun to call the dive. 👈

[@CircleHScuba]

😅

[@JimShippers-th7yk]

Very good information but please do not use acronyms. I’m a beginner diver and it’s easier for me to understand if you say the whole name of equipment or techniques other than acronyms.

[@CircleHScuba]

Do you remember which acronym I used? I’m usually pretty good about that now, but this is a tiny bit older of a video (well only a year ago).

[@salimerdem7544]

Thanks for the very educational video; I once again realizes that the metric system and bars much more convenient.. why does the Americans like to torture themselves…😂😂😂

[@CircleHScuba]

Metric is very convenient for everything except temperature I think haha. I want more numbers to play with on temperature 🤣

[@salimerdem7544]

@@CircleHScuba Duly agree, I am completely lost when it comes to temperatures…

[@MysticalDragon73]

I'll take my freedom measurements over metrics anyday

[@josephdracula7487]

👍😎🤿! Is funny that it seems that hand signals became so easy but always review with your dive buddies! I found divers from other countries have a different meaning 😂 but best to go over with. I have a funny problem that I use crane lifting hand signals and divers look at me like what are you saying? Well look it up go up slowly in the crane operator’s manual 😄 It’s a bad habit but when on the surface only a few divers understand 😂! Look it up go up slowly on a crane lift.

[@CircleHScuba]

Oh wow that’s funny! I think if I could just speak sign language it would be so much easier 😅 Crane operator manual, I’ll have to try that now haha.