Most divers consider the silence of the underwater world to be a blessing.

However, not being able to talk underwater doesn't eliminate the need to communicate. This is where scuba diving gestures come into play. Unfortunately, most divers don't have the time or energy to learn full sign language (since most of us envy divers who are fluent in sign language and have full conversations underwater).

However, divers can learn some basic hand signals that convey the basic information needed to dive. There are now hand signals for everything from tank pressure and decompression status to up and down movements, and most importantly signs of danger and low pressure!

Basic Communication Signal

Basic dive gestures teach the basics of any dive, including direction (up and down) and signals like "okay" and "I have a question". Remember that having a problem doesn't necessarily mean an emergency; it could be a far more harmless problem.

Whether the diver needs to tighten the fin straps, or cannot balance on the descent and has to slow down, or cannot descend and has to abort the dive. A sign of one problem is often accompanied by another sign or sign of the problem at hand.

Common hand gestures while diving are:

OK: The first gesture you'll probably learn is to extend your palm and connect your thumb and index finger with the other three fingers in the air.

Problem: The second gesture you will learn is performed by turning the palm down and spreading the fingers in front of you. Then rotate the hand from side to side.

Stop: Easy to execute; arm extended palm, fingers up, in the familiar stop sign.

Up and Down: Fingers clasped, thumb extended, thumb up for ascending, down for descending.

Gas supply information gesture

The air supply signal is one of the most critical diving gestures you can master. They are essential for safe diving and avoiding out-of-air situations.

The signal to ask someone how much air they have is pretty simple. You can hold your gauge or console with one hand, show it to your buddy, and tap it with two fingers. Alternatively, you can hold one hand with fingers straight, palm up, and tap your hand with two fingers.

Now where it gets interesting, there are two general conventions depending on where in the world you dive and whether you use imperial or metric gas measurements.

In metric numbers, 100 bar is indicated by forming a T with both hands. 50 can be shown with a closed fist (some places with five fingers extended from an open palm). Lift one to four fingers to indicate 10 to 40 bar. For example, if you wanted to see 120 bar, you would make a T shape with your hands and hold it up two fingers. If you want to show 80 bar, show a clenched fist (or open palm and five fingers), then hold up three fingers.

Working with the imperial system is a bit tricky.

Thousands of PSI can be displayed by extending the arm and placing the desired finger on the forearm. You can then display hundreds of PSI by lifting the correct number of fingers, each finger representing 100 PSI. 2400 PSI is displayed; you'll stretch out your forearm, then place two fingers on it with the other hand, then lift four.

To read 1200 PSI, you need to place one finger on your forearm and lift two fingers up.

One thing to note about air supply gestures is that there is more than one convention in the world. So ask your dive guide or buddy which one everyone uses to avoid confusion.

Diving emergency hand signal

Needless to say, hand signals are equally important in emergency diving. By far the most important signal is the air signal. This is done by signalling a movement through the throat with the hand in the traditional cut-throat signal.

The open palm should then be moved back and forth to signal the mouth that air is being shared.

Sea life scuba diving hand signals

There are hundreds of different signs indicating different sea creatures. Some diving gestures are the same all over the world, such as a palm sticking out from the front of the forehead, which is common to sharks. There are various regional variations depending on the local marine life.

There are signals for nearly every species, from manta rays and sunfish to sea turtles and rockfish. Before heading to any particular place, familiarise yourself with all the gestures used in that area and their meanings. Certain marine life signals sometimes mean completely different creatures in different locations, so things can get confusing!

Signal like a pro

The ability to signal numbers while diving is critical. This is especially true for more advanced dives, where you need to convey more specific information than a quarter or half. Also, you will most likely be doing something with one hand, so you need to be able to display any number from one to ten with one hand.

It's fairly easy to signal one to five. Hold your palms in closed fists. Lift one index finger, lift two index fingers and middle fingers, and so on five, all five fingers are straightened.

Six to nine is a bit unusual; turn your palm 90 degrees to the left (assuming you're right-handed), so the back of your hand is now facing your partner.

When your hand is stretched into a fist, your index finger is six, your index and middle fingers are seven, and you reach nine through all four main fingers. We don't indicate 10 with all five fingers; instead, ten is indicated by specifying a one followed by a zero.

The zero character is the same as the "okay" character; only the middle, ring, and pinky fingers remain closed and form a ring with the thumb next to the index finger.

To learn about taking your first breaths and becoming a diver, check out https://waterhoppers.com/programmes/padi-courses/open-water