by Natasha Alexandria

Created on: August 02, 2009   Last Updated: August 03, 2009

Scuba diving will introduce you to an environment undoubtedly different from the one you are accustomed to. Your eyes behave differently, your ears behave differently, and you are suddenly unable to use your voice as a form of communication. Simple communication, such as saying "How are you?" or "Something is wrong," suddenly becomes a huge obstacle.

One of the first things you will learn as a new scuba diver is that you should always dive with a buddy. For safety reasons, it is imperative that someone is with you at all times. The next thing you will learn is the importance of proper communication with your buddy. As such, a variety of universal hand signals have been developed to communication essential information to any trained scuba diver while underwater.

Below is a description of the 10 most common hand signals used by scuba divers:

1. I'm ok or Are you ok? This signal can be interpreted as either a question or an answer. This is the single most common signal you will use. While underwater, you can ask your buddy if s/he is ok by making the ok sign (forming a circle with your thumb and forefinger while pointing the three remaining fingers up). You can reply to this question by making a the same sign back. Don't confuse the ok sign for the thumbs up sign, as the thumbs up sign is used for a different purpose.

While on the surface, or communicating with someone far away, you can signal ok by touching the top of your hand to the top of your head.

2. Going up. You can signal that you are ready to ascend by giving your buddy the thumbs up sign.

3. Something is wrong. Hold your hand flat in front of you and move it back and forth slightly (picture a seesaw with your thumb and baby finger). This indicates that something is disturbing you. You can follow-up this signal by pointing to whatever is bothering you (your equipment, your ears, your mask, etc.)

While on the surface, you can signal distress by waving your hand above your head in a long semi-circular motion. (Get out of the habit of waving to the boat just to say hello as this may cause panic to people who are looking out for signs of trouble.)

4. Your air pressure. You can tell your buddy how much air you have by giving a numerical value with your fingers. North American equipment typically measures air pressure in pounds per square inch (psi). Indicate the numerical value by adding hundred to the number of fingers you are showing. For example, holding up four fingers indicates that you have

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