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Hand signals
In good visibility, divers use hand signals for the most common and important communications.
These are a few of the basic ones taught in any beginner's class:
Circle formed with index finger and thumb - "I am OK!" or "Are you OK/Ready?"
Note: If signaling to a dive boat further away, usually one hand goes on top of the head or both arms for a circle above the head as a hand signal can not be identified over a longer distance.
Thumb Up - "ascend"
Thumb Down - "descend" (at the surface: "begin the dive")
Flat hand - sidewards motion - hold this depth. Sometimes this is used with a signal to ascend followed by a number, i.e. "ascend to 20 meters" or "ascend two meters" - depending on the context, the dive team, or the situation. Common sense applies - if you're at 40 meters and your dive buddy signals "ascend 2 meters" it probably can't mean "descend to 2 meters depth..."!
Wobbling of a flat hand - "Something is not right, I have a small problem" (more critical problems are usually obvious)
Hugging chest - "I am cold"
Clenching of fist, repeatedly - "I have a cramp" - usually followed by an indication to the body part, such as the lower leg (most common)
Both Index fingers straigth and brought together - "Let's stay closer together"
Pointing at ear - "I can't equalize"
One hand open palm facing upwards, other hand uses two fingers to tap into open palm = "what is your remaining gas?"
Two hands making a T-shape = 100 bar
One fist vertically = 50 bar
(Each additional ten bars indicated by one finger)
One fist held up horizontally = "Stop!" (same as military patrol signal), also used to signal something needs to be sorted out - i.e. a spool might have entangled itself around the diver and she/he must not let go of the liftbag etc.
Fist held up with either the index or little finger bend = question mark, this might be difficult with some gloves.
Two hands forming horizontal fists in front of body and then making a snapping motion downwards = "Broken, not working"
Fist with thumb and index finger straight with small distance = "small bubbles"
Fist with thumb and index finger straight with larger distance = "large bubbles"
Fist with thumb and bent index finger = "picture", "take a picture", "I will take a picture"
Fist opening into open palm (repeated) = "Light", might indicate a backup light has been left on or similar
Fist with extended little finger = "Decompression"
Several signs for marine life identification exist, but vary greatly based on where in the world you are diving.
Some examples:
Hand vertically on top of head = shark
Hand downwards with wiggling fingers = octopus
Arm extending and hand opening = Mooray Eel
Fist with index and middle finger pointing out and wobbling = Lobster
Hand imitating the carrying of a bag = "Kofferfisch" (German name of the Pufferfish)
