Since verbal communication is impossible underwater, hand signals become essential for every diver. That's why the very first step in any Open Water Diver (PADI/SSI cert) course is learning how to communicate through hand signals. Now that you've had a laugh watching Albee's comedy version above, let's follow in Instructor Albee's footsteps and learn proper dive signals one by one!
Basic Dive Hand Signals:
OK at the surface
OK underwater
Not OK underwater
Ascend
Descend
Scuba tank / cylinder running low
Scuba tank / cylinder empty
Stay close to your dive buddy — don't separate
Turn around / head back
Current / heading into current
Safety stop at 5 m for 3 minutes
Stop
Ear discomfort (use together with the Not OK signal)
Bonus Tutorial: Hand Signals for Common Marine Life
Moray eel
Lionfish
Shark
Sea turtle
Stingray
The correct signal for sea turtle
Crab
Sea snake
Pufferfish
Clownfish
Boxfish (a.k.a. the "papaya pufferfish")
Triggerfish (if you see one — swim away fast!)
Nudibranch
After Instructor Albee's fun and easy-to-follow walkthrough, we're sure you've already got these hand signals down! The next step? Book a dive trip as soon as possible and put your dive buddy to the test underwater!
If you'd like to get to know the wonderful Instructor Albee, don't say the Editor never looked out for you!
