Sign Language - Article

Article

Sign language has always been an integral part of diving. Communication with your buddies makes it easier and safer to stick to the dive plan and avoid confusion.

Actions	Sign Language
Go up	Fist, thumb up.
Go down	Fist, thumb down.
OK	Traditional OK: Thumb & index finger make a circle. Other 3 fingers extended.
Stop	Hold up flat right palm facing outward.
Low on air	Fist clenched, center of chest.
Buddy breathe	Tap regulator with index finger. Follows "low on air" sign.
Out of air	Flat hand swipes across the neck towards the right.
Boat	Cup the hands with fingers extended like the bow of a boat. Bounce hands forward like a boat floating on the water.
Trouble	Flat hand rocks from side to side in front of body. Think things are "so-so, not right".
Trouble with	Trouble sign followed by signing or pointing to the source of the problem.
Help	Right closed fist with upwardly extended thumb is "helped up" by a flat left hand beneath. Like a momma whale pushing her baby up to the surface to "help" it breathe.
Cold	Arms out in front, bent at the elbow. Shiver
Scared	Fingers of hand shoot in towards each other. Like a "rush of nerves"
Calm	Flat hands crossed in front of face. Arms go down and outward gently.
Hurt	Index fingers point to center and twist. Like 2 knives cutting inwards.
Danger	Arms crossed with closed fists (like skull & crossbones). Also, tightly closed fist held straight outward towards source of danger.
Panic	Index finger circles ear. Think "crazy with panic".
I understand	Fist at right temple; index finger pops up out of closed fist, as in "aha".
Look (See)	Index & long finger point to own eyes, then to object.
Swim	Index & long finger swim horizontally across from left to right.
Hang (safety stop)	Right index finger hooks the air at right shoulder height (as in hanging out) at 15 feet.
Go	At face level, both extended fingers move briskly to the right.
You lead, I follow	Point to buddy, then display right hitch-hiker thumb pointing to the right.

Marine Life	Sign Language
Fish	Flat hand mimics fish swimming forward.
Turtle	Right fist with thumb up (body & head). Left hand makes the shell on top or palms placed one on top of the other, thumbs wigging.
Ray	Arms "fly" up and down
Shark	Flat, vertical hand at forehead level. Or flat right hand makes dorsal fin between fingers of horizontal left hand.
Big Shark	Arms wide, then flat hand placed above head
Sea Horse	One leg curled up, hands as though riding a horse.
Hammerhead Shark	Make the shark sign and then pretend you're hammering.
Lobster	V-fingers as for "victory".Or index and long fingers make waving antennae at forehead.
Crab	Fingers of right hand "crawl" forward like crab walking.
Eel	Right arm bent at elbow. Left hand holds elbow. Bent right hand opens and closes like eel's mouth.
Angelfish	An imaginary circle made over the head by rotating the index finger representing a 'halo'.
Butterfly Fish	Thumbs overlapped, all fingers extended and flapping together
Octopus	Put your downturned hand under your chin and wiggle your fingers.
Lion Fish	Fingers intertwined facing up.
Sea Snake	Hand flat and vertical - make a slithering motion.
Ray	One hand over the other at the wrists (palms down) and waving good-bye with both hands in unison.
Jellyfish	Opening and closing fingers on one hand (cupped) and moving the hand further in one direction with each "pulse".