Underwater Hand Signals

As rewarding as Scuba diving is, with it comes the responsibility to keep yourself and others around you safe in a situation and environment where communication is imperative. Unfortunately, we cannot speak clearly underwater and most communication will have to be of a visual nature and this is where underwater hand signals come into play. There is a standard set of signals but hand signals can sometimes vary in different places/cultures.


My air is running low	Out of air	I’m okay – Are you okay?	Stop- Wait – Stay where you are


Share air	Come here	Me – Look at me	Level off this deep


My ears are not clearing	Going up – lets go up	Going down – lets go down	Something’s wrong [angle hand from side to side]


Go Back – return to the starting point	I am cold	Question?	Ship or Boat


Which Direction	Hurry up/Faster	Something Overhead	[used on surface from a distance] I’m okay – Are you okay?


[used on surface from a distance when only one hand is available] I’m okay – Are you okay?	750PSI of air is left	1500PSI of air is left	Slow down


Stay at this Level	Stay with me, let’s move together